Grand Blue Miling & Smiling - 2025 recap

Comfort zones are overrated, and I ventured outside of mine again. 

The event was the Grand Blue Mile. The date was April 22, 2025. The place was downtown Des Moines. The time was 6:45 PM. 

My objective: run as fast as I can for one mile (and not die trying).

Affiliated with the Drake Relays, the Grand Blue Mile takes place on the Tuesday of Relays Week. Now in its 16th year, it draws a big crowd of both recreational runners and elites (the latter vying for titles in the USATF 1-Mile Championship). 

As mentioned, this 1-mile race takes place in downtown Des Moines, at the Western Gateway Park. The start line is situated at the corner of  Locust and 17th, and ends a few blocks over at Grand and 13th. 

I first ran this in 2018, surprising myself with a 7:53 finish (and a 3rd place AG). I returned in 2019 (recap HERE), and clocked a major PR (7:23) and a 4th place AG. The GBM had to go virtual in 2020 (thank you, Covid). I decided to return last year to test the waters, and snagged another 3rd place AG (recap HERE). 

From 2024’s GBM

So, to say there was a slight bit of self-imposed pressure would be an understatement. I was fresh off of a strong finish at the Drake Road Races 10K (three days prior). I doubted I had it in me to PR, but I was hopeful to beat last year’s 7:50, or at least run a sub-8 mile.

Anyways, with  6:45PM start for the competitive division, I arrived on the scene around 6:00. There also was a recreational division, which would have not just women and men, but also kids and strollers, etc. (in other words, a major cluster of chaos, LOL). I had brought along some water, which I drank while driving. I also had time for a very easy-paced warm-up 1-mile run, and then a good 25-ish minutes of stretching before the starter’s gun fired.

Ready to line-up

I have said this numerous times before, but I am horribly terrible at pacing myself. With the short distance of a mile, there isn’t much time to assess or alter what you’re doing, nor is there time to even glance at your watch. 

Right out of the gate, everyone around me was in a full-on sprint. I knew I wouldn’t be able to keep up with the faster ones, but it still was tough to gauge just how fast I really was running. 

I made it to the 1/4-mile mark, but didn’t get a good look at the clock above the timing mat. I could see the 1/2-mile mat, way down yonder, and knew I was quickly running out of steam (already). I could hear myself gasping for air and tried to ease-up on the pace.

Before long, I crossed the 1/2-mile mat and the 8th Street turn was a short ways further. A quick run on 8th, and another left turn had us on Grand…with the finish line still a long ways in the distance. Ugh, I was really feeling spent at this point. I just kept telling myself to keep going.

Crossing the 3/4-mile mat was a good feeling, though I was feeling even more fatigued. The finish  line looked a long ways up ahead (still), and my legs felt like they were moving in slow motion. Thankfully, the crowds were amazing. I even saw a friend, Shaina, along the route and heard her call my name.

At long last, I made it across the finish line. Honestly, it felt like it had taken forever.

In all reality, though, it took me less than eight minutes. My Garmin showed 7:50, but the official clock showed a 7:47 finish time! Even more surprising, was the 2nd place AG (which I didn’t find out about until after I’d gotten home).

Last year was the first year (that I’ve run it) where they had timing mats at the 1/4-mile and 1/2-mile  splits. This year, though, they also had a mat at the 3/4-mile split. As you can see, my pace substantially slowed with each 1/4 mile.

In terms of the USATF Championship peeps, the competition was fierce! The men’s champion, Vince Ciattei, ran it in 3:55! This was his third consecutive year winning! The 2nd place guy was a 1/2-second behind him, and the 3rd place guy was a full second behind them. 

As for the women, Kristy Gear set a new course record with her 4:24 finish. The 2nd and 3rd place gals were both a second behind her. So don’t be too impressed with my 7:47 finish time, LOL.

  

I have always said your pace is all on you, but how you place is contingent on who else shows up. Case in point, I’ve gotten two 3rd-place AG wins (with 2018’s time of 7:53 and 2024’s time of 7:50). In 2019, I ran the mile much faster, in 7:23, but that “only” got me a 4th place AG. This year, I came away with a 2nd place AG (with 7:47), but there were significant gaps between us three gals in the top three. Things that make you go Hmmm.

As for swag, all participants got cotton/tech blend shirts. I think the color is kind of meh, but I’m not a t-shirt wearer anyways.

The shirt is actually a blue-grey color, though it looks more grey in the pic

Those who ran any of the events on Saturday (5K, 10K, or half marathon) received medals for doing the Bulldog Double. They had designated yellow bibs, indicating as such.

There were a few familiar faces there…

Herky, the University of Iowa mascot (Go Hawks!) 

My cousin, Nate

Ryan and Maria, from the running club

So, in summary, I’ll just say that this event is really tough, but also really fun. I’m an endurance runner, so running fast (for an entire mile, nonetheless) is not my gig. My legs don’t know how to operate, I have no clue what my actual pace is (until I finish), and my breathing is a mess. But, stepping outside that comfort zone always rewards me with a nice feeling of accomplishment. Judging by the large turnout of runners (2093 this year!), I’m not alone in this endeavor. 

My Bulldog Double medal stash (L-R): 2018, 2019, 2020 (virtual), 2024, 2025

Have you ever done a 1-mile race? Would you take on the challenge of a fast race, such as this, following another race a few days prior? 

I’m linking this with Zenaida and Jenn for the TuesdayTopics Linkup. 

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