A Race I Run Every Year

Hands down, my favorite race, every year, is DAM to DSM.

I've been trekking to Des Moines, the first weekend after Memorial Day, every year since 2008 to run this iconic race. 

Formerly known as Dam to Dam, this race was my first-ever long distance endeavor. Like a lot of distance runners, once I got a taste of that long distance finish line, I was hooked. 

Eclipsed by the Wind

 

Can you say WIND???

It's always windy in Iowa this time of year, but this past week was unbelievably gusty. As much as I love the great outdoors, even I struggled with getting my buttocks outside on the daily. Don't worry, the #OptOutside streak is still going strong...but there were a few bare minimums with my efforts due to this week's circumstances.

Fight for Air Climb - 2024 recap

When they named this event the Fight for Air Climb, they weren’t kidding!

Hot stairwells. Heavy breathing. Trashed leg muscles. But a finish line like none other. 

There’s much to love and respect about fighting for that air, all for the sake of those who need it most. Many struggle with lung health, and it’s for them that I (and numerous others) return to the stairwells every year. 

Let's Get Settled

It's all fun and games, settling into a new place, until the weather gives you attitude.

Although the week started off kind of winter-like (with the requisite cold temps, nasty precip, and blowing wind), things did turn-around by the weekend (except for said blowing wind). Oh, did I mention the wind was rather beastly and downright inappropriate?

Nonetheless, what can we do but persevere, hopefully with a smile. A sense of humor never hurts either.  

Time for a Chatty Gathering

 So, shall we chat? 

It doesn’t need to be about running, or even fitness…but who am I kidding? There’s always plenty of that with which to chat. 

Shall we get this chatty gathering started? 

Grooving & Moving (not necessarily in that order)

Well, it’s been a week! 

There was lots of moving & grooving, with a good mix of stress & insomnia added in for good measure. But, it’s (mostly) all in the rear view mirror and we’re still in one piece, still standing, and still smiling. 

My StressFessions Overfloweth...

Let's just cut right to the chase - this month's 'fessions are full-on stress-induced.

That's not necessarily a bad thing, but there's plenty on my plate that needs released. Are you ready? Buckle-up, this may be a bumpy ride to the 'fessional...