Monday, September 19, 2022

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 20172018 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, 20152016, 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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22 comments:

  1. Some great races on your plan, Kim! Love that Hillbilly one!

    What a great idea to create your own challenge as well. I'm sure you'll reach hilly bike ride no. 25 next month. How long is each ride and what is the elevation like?

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    1. The ride out to the lake is almost an exact 13 miles (out and back) from my driveway, but I usually tack on a couple extra miles (on flat terrain) afterwards, so each "weekly ride" is around 15 miles. My Garmin says the minimum elevation is 856 and the max is 1,019. It winds up being 10 hills climbed by the time we get back to town, four of which are killer tall and steep.

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  2. Exciting plans! Nothing on the race schedule at all but I am going to enter the London Marathon ballot on 1 Oct (and hopefully go down and support the race this autumn on 2 Oct!).

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  3. I remember the Hillbilly half from when you ran it before! Best race theme ever! And of course DSM. I'm doing any running or racing myself this year (by choice) but I will be stalking the results next weekend to see how my IRL friends do in our local marathon and of course following along eagerly with my internets friends.

    Strangely enough now that I'm not running...the stair flight climb sounds appealing. Maybe I'll do that next spring!

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  4. Lots of nice races. Not surprised. Isn't racing great?

    Of course I have at least one or two each month. A half in October and Nov and a 15k in Nov and Dec.

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    1. I do love racing, but it seems like I haven't done as many races this year as I usually do.

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  5. You have some fun races and events on your schedule for fall. Best running season in my opinion!

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  6. Sounds like you have some good races planned! I'm not signed up for anything yet, and figure I'll wait until after my husband's marathon is over before a I do a race. Hopefully I'll get to do one in November.

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    1. I need to find some new races to broaden my roster...but I love these "regulars" a lot.

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  7. You've got some fun ones coming up! I love how you do favorite races over and over again. I'll be looking forward to the recap from this weekend- sounds like a race for a great cause.

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    1. The weather is looking nice for this weekend's race, too, so that's a HUGE bonus.

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  8. Looks like you have a jam packed race schedule for the Fall!

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    1. Somewhat jam packed...I'd like to find a few new (to me) races, but it's tough squeezing in so many events with Hawkeye football ;-)

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  9. Quite an impressive lineup of races, Kim! Good luck next weekend on your first race! I am so intrigued by the Hillbilly hike😀 Sounds like a good time, especially with pie and biscuits and gravy at the end!

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  10. Looks like a fun line up and I love how you have the hilly bike rides thrown in there! Good luck with this weekend's race - such a great cause!

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    1. Yes, I was tempted to take a pass on the K2K this year. I'd procrastinated so long that the registration price was crazy. It's such a great cause, though, so I relented.

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  11. I would sign up for that Hillbilly Half -- just to wear that outfit!! Sounds like so much fun! You have quite a collection of the DSM race medals - that's the definition of loyalty!

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    1. The DSM race weekend is a lot of fun! There's a distance for everyone, so it really draws a nice crowd. The course support is also incredible with a lot of spectators.

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