There are a lot of favorite races that have me questioning my sanity.
Yet, I go back year-after-year.
Now in its 58th year, the Drake Road Races offers a 5K, a 10K, and a half marathon. I’ve never run the 5K, but have run the 10K a few times. Prior to race day, I’d run the 13.1 eight times. The thing is, it’s not just the longer distance that makes this particular half marathon a tough one, it’s the hilly course that really keeps you humble.
For this year’s race day though, Momma N also waved her evil wand and added the challenge of suddenly cold temps and psychotic wind to the mix. Yeah, that was mighty rude of her…
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Affiliated with the Drake Relays, the Drake Road Races (now in their 58th year) kick-off the start of the week-long Relay-related events in Des Moines, Iowa. Where the Relays themselves attract pre-qualified athletes at the elite, collegiate, and high school levels, the Drake Road Races are for more "common folk" runners.
I first ran the 10K (back in 2013), and returned for the half marathon in 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019 ,2021, 2022 and 2023. All events had to assume a virtual format inn 2020, so I ran the virtual 13.1 on the actual race weekend (on my hometown streets). Then, a few months later, I “biked” the virtual event (again) when the swag arrived (me, myself, and my healing stress fracture).
Due to a crazy schedule (and lack of proper training), I ran the 10K both in 2024 and 2025. Since I hadn’t run the half marathon distance at Drake since 2023, I was craving a return to the 13.1 race course. So that’s what I did.
Even with all my stuff laid out, I somehow left the house with my Garmin still plugged-in, charging. Thankfully, I had that revelation only a 1/4-mile from my driveway. Duh!
I arrived near the Drake University campus just after 6:45, and it took awhile to find parking. After securing a spot, I headed over to Drake Stadium to hit the restroom and do a few warm-up stretches.
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Although I hadn’t done any extensive 13.1-specific training, I wasn’t feeling nervous or anxious about the race. I knew it was going to be hilly, and the wind and cold temps were gonna make for a beastly battle. Knowing a PR would not be anywhere near within my grasp gave me an oddly surprising calmness as I lined up for the start line.
Once out of the gate, the crowd of runners was a major cluster of various paces. In years past, they have had the 10K runners and half marathoners start at 7:30, then the 5K peeps start around 7:45, but this year they had everyone start together. Shortly after the start line, on Forest, we head south on 21st, with the first of many hills just a short ways up ahead.
After the first mile, the route takes us west (on Kingman) for another 1-1/2 miles or so. After that, things get hilly.
I won’t recap each mile or each hill, but suffice it to say this race course is not an easy jaunt in the running shoes. The route does take us through some very beautiful historic neighborhoods, though, so there are plenty of distractions from the nonstop climbing (and subsequent descending).
My fueling strategy was to eat a few Honey Stinger chews every 3-4 miles, beginning at the start line. Overall, my legs felt fine and my energy level remained consistent. The biggest battle was mentally, as I faced the unrelenting wind, LOL.
It wasn’t until around the 8-mile mark when I pulled over for a brief walk. I also took a potty stop, which cost me a good 3-4 minutes of race time with waiting in line, and then a fumbling “malfunction” in trying to grab more of the HS chews. Too bad I didn’t think to do so while actually waiting in the porta-potty line (I know, #FacePalm).
The remaining miles were much of the same…mostly decently-paced running, with random intermittent walking breaks. Again, my body didn’t feel tired, but the wind was a beast!
The remaining miles were much of the same…mostly decently-paced running, with random intermittent walking breaks. Again, my body didn’t feel tired, but the wind was a beast!
After a few more twists and turns, and more inclines/declines, I made it back to Kingman Boulevard, with about 2-1/2 miles remaining. Honestly, this stretch is my least favorite of the morning. I don't especially like it, coming just out of the 1-mile mark (at the start), but I really resent it on the return trip. Although it’s relatively flat, it’s l-o-n-g and kind of boring. I did find some solace in that it came with a decent tailwind, so glass half full.
Just after the 12-mile mark, the course takes us back to 21st, blessing us with a nice downhill for the better part of a mile. Returning to Forrest, though, we had that dreadful 23mph headwind waiting for us.
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Thankfully, it was only for a couple of blocks, then a short downhill, leading us into Drake Stadium with the iconic Blue Oval leading us around to the finish line.
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Let’s just say I've never been so happy to see a finish line! Although my legs were still feeling good, my mental game was shot after all of those hills and wind.
My splits were all over the place (no surprises there). Kind of ironic that last mile was one of my faster splits.
Mile-1–10:11
2 --9:53
3–9:50
4–10:19
5–10:05
6–10:39
7–10:08
8–12:37
9–10:01
10–11:39
11–10:49
12–10:35
13–10:04
(.27–2:36)
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And, how did I do? My official finish time was 2:19:27, definitely not one of my better finishes, but this was a major victory given the race day conditions. No regrets!
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And, as you can see, the wind had picked up considerably throughout the morning.
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For swag, these colorful flannel-lined 1/4 zip jackets were a hit! If I had to render a guess as to how many runners were wearing the swag on race day, it would be well over half of all the participants.
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The medals were basically the same design for all distances, but the ribbons designated the specific distance(s). I love the tribute to the Blue Oval, the famous race track in Drake Stadium.
Yes, this was a touch race, as it has been in years past. The hills are killer, but also quite fulfilling to conquer! The weather is usually a wild card as well. I’ve run this race in all kinds of conditions…wind (obviously, LOL), rain, and sunshine.
Have you ever run an especially tough race course, but you found yourself wanting to return, year after year? Do you feel empowered running hills, or defeated?
I’m linking this with Jenny and Jenn for the TuesdayTopics Linkup.
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We don't have hills here! But I've learned the hard way that there ARE hills in central Florida, where I did a race last year. Very hard to race hills when you haven't trained on them at all.
ReplyDeleteAnyway- this race sounds... fun? I think the wind and the hills might have killed me, but there's obviously something you like about it because you keep going back. I'm sure it was a satisfying experience for you, even if you didn't exactly enjoy every single second. I'm hoping that was your last cold race of the season!
Lol hills will definitely keep a gal humble. As a matter of fact, midwest weather in general and Iowa in particular make for a spectacular serving of humble pie. Nevertheless, you persisted!
ReplyDeleteI had a collection of races that I did every year, and no matter how badly they went I would leave the course while googling when next year's registration would open.
2:19 on that course, with those hills and that kind of wind, is solid, Kim! I don't think your splits are so uneven - they show a steady effort with a few necessary resets and then still finishing strong. That last mile being one of your faster ones says everything about your grit!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on completing another half marathon, Kim! As if the hills weren't enough, the wind had to play mean on race day. Nice job,on earning that very cool medal!
ReplyDeleteI often say never again and come back for more punishment.
ReplyDeleteWind is a tough one to deal with.
I agree with you... when we just run and not worry about PR, it makes the race more enjoyable and less stressful.
That does sound so challenging but you did a great job! There are few race courses that are super difficult (our Gate River Run 15K is one of them), but I keep showing up.
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