My Fall Preview for '22

How can it be racing season. Already???

It really snuck up on me this year. I don't have answers, but I suspect it's because this was the first summer, in nine years, that I wasn't training for a full marathon. Of course, it's been three years since I've actually run a marathon (thank you, Covid)...but I did train through the the past two summers until those marathons were either postponed or outright cancelled.

Alas, here we are with the '22 fall season (almost) underway. Care to hear what I have on the roster?

Read on...

Kickoff to Kinnick 5K - September 24th

First up, happening this coming weekend, is a fun race with a great cause.

As an alumni from the University of Iowa, this event is pretty meaningful to me. It benefits the Iowa Dance Marathon, which works closely with the UofI Stead Family Children's Hospital in supporting and helping children (and their families) who have been affected by cancer (and other illnesses).

The Kickoff to Kinnick 5K  has been happening since 2014. I ran it in 2017, 2018 and 2019 (I had that cumbersome stress fracture in 2020, so I took a sabbatical that year). Believe it or not, I was in Maryland for the Iowa football game last year on race weekend, so I opted to run the race virtually with Deb. The race itself ends on the grass in Kinnick Stadium, where the Stead Family Children's Hospital overlooks the field...the famous hospital that the football fans wave to on game day.

from 2017...the medal was heavy, huge, and practical (bottle opener!)

IMT DSM Half Marathon - October 16th

In mid-October, I'll be returning to a longtime favorite race, the IMT Des Moines 13.1.

This will be the 21st year of the IMT Des Moines Marathon! I'm no stranger to this weekend of fun:

***I have run the Half Marathon in 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019 and 2021

***I ran the Full Marathon in 2014

***I ran the 5K in 2015 (as part of the 5K/13.1 Combo)

***I ran the Mercy Live Up Loop 5-mile in 2016 (as part of the 5 Mile/13.1 Combo) and also in 2017 and 2021

my collection of medals from various IMT Des Moines Marathon events

Hilly Bike Path Ride #25 - (on or around) October 26th

While this is a non-running (and non-racing) event, it's a big deal to me. Last hear, I set out to do 20 weeks of weekly rides on the bike path, and succeeded (recap HERE). This year, we started a few weeks earlier with the hope of getting in 25 continuous weeks of hilly fun on wheels. Ride #20 is on deck for this week (hopefully on Wednesday, the 21st, weather permitting). Stay tuned, these next five weeks will fly by, I expect, and the weather will be getting progressively cooler each week.

A fond farewell from the 2021 biking season

Hillbilly Hike Half Marathon - November 5th

Lastly, there's the race where we take great pride in donning the flannel and hope for decently warm weather. And we get biscuits 'n gravy and pie at the finish line.

The Hillbilly Hike benefits the Indianola Christian Union Church mission team (more info HERE). With my 2020 stress fracture and scheduling conflicts (on my part) last year, 2019 was my last time taking part in the festivities. I ran the half marathon back in 2014 and 2015, and also the 10K in 2017. I haven't yet registered, but it's on my to-do list this week; I'll be returning for the half marathon.

with Barb, in 2019

So, that's a quick preview of what I have on the roster for Fall of 2022. It's nothing grandiose, in terms of quantity, but there's a lot of fun to be had. 

Do you have much happening this Fall? Any racing, training or maintaining? 

 I'm linking this with Kim and Zenaida for the Tuesday Topics Link-Up

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