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Oops, I did it again.
Actually, I did a lot of things I’d done before, at this year’s IMT Des Moines Half Marathon.
It was an event I’ve run many times prior. Fortunately, as in many years past, I got to enjoy ample sunshine. I also had to deal with colder-than-ideal temps (in my opinion), as well a very wicked wind. And, although I had logged several long runs, I really hadn’t followed a focused 13.1 training plan. Sound familiar?
The 2025 edition of this favorite race was different, though. There was the usual rush of endorphins at the finish line, but they were more overwhelming than usual. This time, those sweet feel-good vibes weren’t from running (and finishing) an especially fast race. Instead, I was almost overcome by the ironic strength I’d felt while persevering through a heavy dose of doubt, all while babying a few compromised body parts…
As mentioned, I’m no stranger to this event:
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| The crescent moon and Venus (?) were shining bright |
Although the mid-40F temps were cold, I was hopeful things would feel much more comfortable after the race got underway. I opted for a tank (with arm warmers) layered under a long-sleeved top. Shorts (with side pockets, thankfully, because my fuel belt’s zipper refused to work…so it was left in the car), compression calf sleeves, and wool socks. I also grabbed a fleece headband and gloves. And a heat blanket (from a previous race)..
The race officially started at 8:00, but it wasn’t until 8:09 when I crossed the start line (according to my Garmin). It was very cold and windy waiting for my wave to get the go-ahead.
I did my best to do some dynamic stretches to warm up my muscles, but it was tough with the crowd of runners all clustered around me. Once moving, I felt like the tin man (from the Wizard of Oz). My hips didn’t hurt, but they were feeling tight.
It was about 1/2-mile in that I felt someone tap my shoulder, and saw my cousin Jessica running alongside me! I’d spoken to her earlier, but didn’t think I’d see her on the race course. She was tackling the full 26.2 miles, but we hung together for the first couple miles. I needed a potty stop shortly after the 2-miles mark, so we said our good-byes.
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| The race photographer caught us in stride |
After the potty stop, I was able to lose the gloves (but kept ahold of them, just in case). The next few miles felt alright, and I could tell the hips were loosening (yay!!!). That said, the stretch from miles 3.5-6, on Grand Avenue, were tough. The long and gradual hill was a tiny bit defeating and the headwind was brutal. Side note: this race course is advertised as being “flat and fast,” which is NOT true until after Mile-6, LOL.
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Once off of Grand, the route took us along a shaded paved trail, eventually coming out near Water Works Park. At this point, I was still feeling pretty strong. I’d been eating a few Honey Stinger chews (at miles 3.5, and 7.5). By the time we were leaving Water Works, and entering Grays lake, I was ready for another potty stop (I had been sipping water at all of the water stations, LOL).
Still feeling good at the 10-mile mark, I threw down a few more HS chews. Then, I noticed an aid station with energy drink “shots,” just after the 11-mile mark…so I thought, “Why not?”
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The route continued along the paved trail, taking us towards Principal Park (the stadium where the Iowa Cubs play). Before I knew it, I was passing the 12-mile mark, and headed towards a short out-and-back, just off a bridge and downtown Des Moines was a mere mile away.
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As I approached the final turn-around, I noticed a spectator holding a sign that said “Stop reading and keep running.” It was just the jolt of mojo I needed to get me to the finish line.
We all know the thrill of the final stretch to the finish line, and it was like none other for me that day. It wasn’t until I was running that final mile that I realized I hadn’t taken any walk breaks (other than the aid station walk-throughs). Yes, my hips were feeling strained (duh, they’d gotten me through nearly 13 miles, at that point, while not feeling their best), but my energy was still going strong and I had never felt more victorious.
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| Done! Pay no attention to the lop-sided attempt at pinning-on my race bib… |
So, how did I do? In a a nutshell, MUCH better than anticipated. I seriously had some doubts how my body would hold up. There were some DNF thoughts going through my mind prior to race day, so making it across the finish line was pretty euphoric. My Garmin showed a 2:16 finish time, but I accidentally (force of habit) paused it during the two potty stops. Oops.
As for the swag, the half marathoners got these nice jackets. The fabric is actually a soft waffle-weave, making it more of a “fashion” piece than “performance” attire. For me, that’s a nice feature!
My official stats:
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| FYI, my Garmin showed a race distance of 13.23, so the course ran long |
The medal is pretty sweet as well.
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| BTW, that’s my office building in the background, and my office window is on the top floor (near the tip of my index finger) |
Well, that’s it! As I’ve said a few times before, running is quite the gift. It’s kept me humble, but makes me incredibly proud as well. I’m ever so grateful at what my body can do, even when it’s not at its optimal level. I should add that I procrastinated something terrible, and registered very late in the game…and paid upwards of $150 (including all the fees and taxes…#gulp), so I was fully vested in doing this, even if it meant a lot of walking. Thankfully, all went well.
Have you ever taken on a race when you had doubts of the outcome?
Oh Kim, that must have been brutally cold at the start! Trying to warm up while shivering in a crowd is impossible! The “tin man” description nailed it; that cold-to-movement transition is such a shock to the system.
ReplyDeleteI love that you still managed to find rhythm (and even a surprise running buddy!) once you got going. That finish must have felt so satisfying after all that wind and doubt.
Could you sneak into your office building afterward for a post-race shower? It looks conveniently close in that photo!
Why yes I have taken on many a race where I doubted the outcome. Most of the time I was right, but once in a while you get a surprise good race like you did, so when it doubt, run it! The higher entrance fee just means that you sent more money to a good cause.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on running a great race!
Congrats, Kim, on running a great race, and much better than anticipated! It's always nice when those cranky body parts play nice on race day. How fun to see your cousin and get to run with her for a while during the early miles. Did she have a good marathon?
ReplyDeleteYay! It sounds like a strong race for you. Yes, I have shown up at many, many start lines with doubts in my mind. I think it's almost always worth it to just try and see what happens. Glad your hips felt good, and I agree- 45 AND WINDY is cold! But- better than too hot. I know you prefer the heat but I think it would have been harder to run in (can't we just have 55 degrees, sunny, and no wind for every race? Why does that NEVER HAPPEN?) Anyway, congratulations! And, onward to the next adventure.
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed -no walk breaks. No can do!!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on another successful race...it's nice when you run a familiar race. But then again, you can be lax on that training (at least I am lately).
Happy that you are not sore. What's next?