Back to the DAM; 2025 DAM-to-DSM recap

There I went again….back to the DAM!

Little did I know, when I first crossed the Dam-to-Dam start line (in 2008), that I was embarking on a tradition that’s now 18 years long. It was my first long-distance event, and I was hooked within the first few miles on that epic day. 

And, I don’t plan to stop anytime soon…

This event was previously known as Dam-to-Dam for 39 years. In 2018, the committee decided the event had run its course (so to speak), making for an epic end of an era. A very short while later, though, the Rip Roar company stepped in and took the reins. The route remained (relatively) the same point-to-point adventure from the Saylorville Dam to downtown Des Moines, but they renamed the event DAM-to-DSM. 

11 years of Dam-to-Dam medals (2008-2018)

…and now I have seven DAM-to-DSM medals as well

Most know this race is, hands-down, my favorite race every year. Here’s a a few remarks from the D2D website about this iconic Des Moines event:

With a 7:00 race start, and a shuttle bus to catch, I arrived in downtown Des Moines around 5:20. Being a point-to-point course, all runners are shuttled out to the Saylorville Dam. The buses start loading at 5:00 (the final one leaves at 6:00) for the 25-ish minute trek to the start line staging area. 

My bus had us there by 6:15 or so. The pre-start line temps were a little chilly, but I knew all would be well once the race started. 

I spent several minutes waiting for a turn in the porta-potty line, then did some stretching and dynamic warming-up. I’d had some oatmeal earlier, but brought a granola bar along as well…and didn’t leave it in the car (as I’ve done numerous times in years past).

One of my favorite things about this event is the view from the Saylorville Dam. It’s long walk to get to the start line (it’s on the opposite side from where the runners are dropped off), but a great time for conversation.

 On my first D2D, in 2008, the announcer pointed out the Principal Tower, amidst the Des Moines city scape, way off in the distance. He told us the finish line was right near that tower, and that tower has been my finish line beacon ever since, every time I’ve pinned on a D2D race bib.

Can you see it…front and center?

As mentioned, the D2D race course is a point-to-point adventure. Although it wasn’t going to be exceptionally warm, I’d brought a water bottle so I wouldn’t have to deal with the aid stations (unless I’d need a refill later on). My fuel plan was to eat a couple of Honey Stinger chews every 3-4 miles.

While I had not specifically “trained” for 13.1 miles, I had kept consistent with weekly mileage. My speed work was via the tempo(ish) Thursday evening group runs. My longest run had been a 10-miler the weekend prior. Still, even though I knew I had the endurance, I wasn’t sure about finish time goals…so I chose to not obsess over said finish time. I used the same strategy at the 2024 D2D, and it went well. I had focused on simply enjoying the race course and wound up finishing faster than anticipated…maybe that would work in my favor for 2025?  

Armed and ready…let’s go!

Instead of having self-seeding banners for lining-up, they released the runners in four waves. I was able to work my way towards the front of the heard, and was able to cross the start line in the first wave. Seriously, I was almost in tears because I was so happy to be there. On the dam. Running my favorite race. On a beautiful summer morning. Injury-free. ((Sigh))

I had brought a heat sheet, but wound up leaving it in my car. I did have arm warmers (and was glad to have them!), but I rolled them down after the first two miles.

On cue, I pulled out a couple of HS chews after the 3-mile mark. I wasn’t feeling tired, but wanted to stay ahead of the game with the fueling. So far, I was feeling really good (maybe too good…I ran that second mile a bit too fast, LOL).  

Before I knew it, the 4-mile mark was approaching and I knew there would be an optimal photo op of the Prinicpal Tower. I never think to glance at my time when I pull over and grab my phone for pic-taking, but I think I’m pretty time-efficient (maybe 15-20 seconds?).

It’s kind of hard to spot, in the haze, but it’s there (at 3:00)

At this point, the miles seemed to be going fast! I wasn’t feeling any muscle distress. I kept sipping my water intermittently, though I didn’t feel thirsty. The only annoyance I was experiencing was from my fuel belt continuously sliding and twisting around my waist. After the first couple miles, I’d given up on sliding it back into position. It wasn’t really a big problem, though it did make it tough to find the zippers when I was feeling around for the HS chews.

The first part of the race course takes us through open roads (closed to traffic on race day), lined with fields, woodland, and an occasional house. As we approach the 6-mile mark, we have the I-80 overpass , giving us a short (albeit steep) incline. Even though I’d already taken a quick walk break for fueling (earlier at mile-3 and again at mile-6), I pulled over for another break. Every year, I stop for selfie as I cross I-80…more for the novelty than anything else, LOL. It’s crazy how many cars and trucks are honking at all of us “crazy” runners. 

Not too long after the I-80 overpass, we pass the halfway point timing mat. A short ways later, right around the 7-mile mark, I noticed a cluster of helicopters flying overhead. I don’t ever recall seeing that before!

This part of the race course leads us out of the countryside and towards the city limits…with the infamous hill looming up ahead. I didn’t snag a pic this year, but this hill is a beast! I noticed it wasn’t nearly as long as it seemed (mile 7.2 to mile 7.6, LOL), but the incline is pretty steep. In all my years of doing D2D, I’ve  been able to run the entire hill only a few times…and this day was one of them! There are always a lot of spectators lining the hill, so there’s plenty of support, encouragement, lots of cheers and plenty of cowbell.

The hill is deceivingly tricky, too, because it has a couple of curves, so you can’t quite see when it’s gonna end. Once we crest the hill, we’re in the midst of civilization and the streets are now lined with neighborhood residents in lawn chairs (some with sprinklers).

It was around the 9-mile mark when I decided to get a little more water for my handheld. I went to grab a cup of water, but one of the wonderful volunteers grabbed a water pitcher and filled my bottle for me. Much appreciated!

Just after the 9-mile mark…can you see it?

Amazingly, I was still going pretty strong. It wasn’t until around the 10.5-mile mark when I started considering taking a short walk break. I wasn’t necessarily feeling fatigued, but I did want to conserve a little mojo for the last couple miles. I glanced at my watch and saw it was showing 1:45 for time…heck, worse case scenario, I could walk the remaining 2-ish miles and I’d still finish faster than 2:15. 

Well, I didn’t walk very long (maybe for a couple city blocks?). It wasn’t much longer before I passed the 12-mile mark and the water station manned by several “original” Dam-to-Dam committee peeps (in vintage D2D shirts). And, I paused for one last pic of the Principal Tower.

The final 1.1 mile is a bit of a blur. I was still feeling pretty strong, and in a slight state of confusion as to how the morning had gone rather quickly. Maybe it was because I’d run the race course 16 times prior (even though this was my 18th D2D, we had to run it virtually in 2020 due to Covid)? Or, could I have been in denial that I’d soon be finished, and have to wait another year to experience it again? Who knows?

Nonetheless, I was feeling much gratitude. I even took another mini walk break (for like a couple minutes), before making the final jaunt to the finish line.

I had been glancing at my Garmin at each of the mile splits, but hadn’t been paying attention to my projected finish time. Given the numerous photo-op stops and mini fueling walk breaks, I was expecting to be around the 2:10 range…but I was, surprisingly, a tad bit faster.

Official stats:

Finish time - 2:07:44

12th out of 56 (age group)

643rd out of 1,951 (women)

1,899th out of 3,994 (overall)

The Garmin doesn’t lie…

I do like seeing Garmin’s rendition of the course elevation. Can you tell where that big hill was?

…and the splits always tell the story quite well, LOL

          1- 9:23 (nice start)

          2- 8:40 (woah! I blame the downhill!)

          3- 9:03 (back on track, though still a bit too speedy)

          4- 9:31 (fuel break, photo op of the Principal Tower)

          5- 9:36

          6- 9:34

          7- 10:35 (fuel break and photo op on the I-80 overpass)

          8- 10:01 (ahem, the hill)

          9- 9:55 (another Principal Tower photo op)

         10-9:42

         11-10:22 (extended walk break)

         12-10:05 (one last Tower pic)

         13-10:37 (a little more walking, LOL)

         Final .09 - :51

And the swag is always legit. The shirts are gender-specific with eye-catching graphics

I love how the medals keep the same style, but the color variation makes them distinct every year.

 When the race company shares YOUR #MedalMonday pic on THEIR page…

There’s always bonus swag that comes all packaged-up in these boxes. This year the extra swag included a nice drawstring bag (for shoes?), resistance bands (nice!), a water bottle, a 13.1 sticker, and a set of bib magnets (which didn’t seem to be very useful, as I saw numerous discarded magnets along the race course throughout the morning). I do love all the extra swag, but a less expensive registration fee would be just as enticing…says the gal who’s gonna register regardless of the cost, LOL.

 

So, that’s the 2025 story of my favorite race. I can honestly say this was one of the best races I’ve run (and I’ve run a LOT of races). I never felt fatigued, and my legs held up well (though my hips flexors were a little cranky near the end). 

Had I not stopped for so many photo ops, I might have been flirting with a sub-2:00 finish, but I’m totally alright with how everything played-out. I thoroughly enjoyed those 13.1 miles, and everything I experienced en route to the finish line. Truly, I am so thankful I found the sport of running, and I’m especially grateful to have this amazing race to do every year. BTW, I’m already registered for 2026!

In your opinion, what makes a good race a great experience? Do you have a favorite race you simply have to run every year? Have you ever done a point-to-point race? 

II'm linking this with Zenaida and Jenn for the TuesdayTopics Linkup. 

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