Grand Blue Mile - 2026 race recap

 

I can do tough things.

Although I pride myself on doing such things, I often question my sanity while in the midst of getting them done. Over the years, I’ve gotten especially good at getting out of my comfort zone (because there’s nothing to be gained by staying “comfortable”). 

Case-in-point…the Grand Blue Mile. 

Drake Road Races Half Marathon - 2026 Race Recap

 

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.

Drake-Fessions, Anyone?

Are we ready for another trip to the ‘Fessional?

How about we add a slight twist to the mix, and throw out a few Drake Relays ‘fessions this month? After all, there was a whole lotta Drake running and racing on the agenda, not just this week but also this past month in preparation.

Last Saturday (April 18th) was my ninth time running the half marathon. Just a few days ago, on Tuesday (April 21st) I returned to downtown Des Moines, for my fifth attempt at running the Grand Blue Mile. Oof, yes…we’re talking a long distance race (with a whole lot of hills) and a very short one, within three days of each other.

Anyways, here are some thoughts and Drake-fessions on the matter…

More Whacky Weather Whiplashing

Suffice it say Momma N had some attitude this week.

Wowza. She was generous with the wind (#BigSurprise), but she also was very kind with the (summer) heat. Then, by week’s end, she did a complete 180 and tried to catapult us back to Winter. Yes, just in time for my race, LOL…

Before I get to the nitty gritty deets from the week, Welcome to the Weekly Run Down!

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).

Drake Road Races 10K - 2025 recap

There’s something to say about consistency.

Like returning to a favorite event, year after year, even if you switch-up the distance on occasion. Case in point, the Drake Road Races, and I made it a priority to be there again.

About that Grand Blue Mile…

Call me crazy, but I like taking on challenges that lead me out of my comfort zone.

Enter the 2024 Grand Blue Mile. 

Downtown Des Moines. On a sunny (and windy) Tuesday evening. Two days following a speedy 10K. Why not? 

Because Downtime Is Overrated

Sometimes, there are just too many things to do.

Often times I’m guilty of doing it all, because why not? 

This week saw a lot of fast-paced action. Admittedly, my body parts (I’m looking at you, legs) were feeling pretty wasted by weeks end, but it was a fun ride! 

Drake Road Races - the 10K Game-Changer

 There’s much to be said about going with your gut (and not your ego). 

Such was the case last weekend’s Drake Road Races. I made the decision to scale-down to the 10K, foregoing my 9-year half marathon streak. And I did so, surprisingly, with zero regrets or guilt. 

I registered for the half marathon back in October, well before I knew there would a house (finally) selling, another one purchased, and a stressful timeline of all things moving/relocating. In other words, my typical pre-spring training took an unexpected backseat and the probability of running 13.1 miles became unlikely. 

Recovery or Taper?

It WAS a week.

There was a frost advisory that lasted for several days. There was a mini heat wave. There was recovery from Sunday's race. And, there was a bit of a taper for a last-minute race on Saturday.

And...how did all that play out? I'm glad you asked; read on...

Drake Road Races: Half Marathon 2023 recap

Some would call me a glutton for punishment.

I'm referring to my yearly return to the hilly race course of the Drake Road Races Half Marathon. While the route has changed a few times in the eight years I've been running it, it has ALWAYS been very hilly.

Given the time of year (ahem, #SpringInIowa),the weather has always been a wild card as well. I'm not bemoaning unseasonably hot weather either. Instead, it's usually unseasonably cold and crazy windy. Thankfully, the past couple years have blessed us with clear sunny skies, but there have been numerous years where it was cloudy, damp, rainy and gloomy.

And yet, I keep going back, year after year...

Drake Road Races Half Marathon 2022 Recap

Shall we talk about 13.1 hilly miles of smiles?

I've said it many times...I much prefer a challenging race course over an "easy" one. Of course, it's all relative who deems what is "easy" or "challenging." If you're looking for a race course that will test your legs, your determination, your endurance and your grit, the Drake Road Races Half Marathon will fill those needs.

Couple the hilly race course with the usual erratic spring weather of Iowa, and you're in for a morning like none other on the streets of Des Moines. 

How About a Few SpringFessions

Well, just like that, we're facing the first Spring 'Fessional Session of 2022.

Although the calendar shows Spring, this first official week of Spring has felt a bit more like late Fall. The sunshine has been hit or miss, and the temps have been a bit chilly. Of course, that annoying wind has been unrelenting...but all is well. The increased daylight neutralizes the weather whiplash. At least we're now on the bright side of the Equinox!

Anyways, shall we get to the 'fessing?

Drake Relays Road Races Half Marathon - 2021 recap

 It was one of those days where everything just fell into place.

The weather was near-perfect. The Covid protocol was on-point. The course was its usual hilly self. And my post-stress-fractured self was ready to truly test my grit, my fitness, and my rally-back efforts.

Enter the Drake Relays Road Races. And, while we're at it, let's run a half marathon!

Weathering The Week

Let's just say it was a windy week in Iowa.

I think most people know I'm a huge all-things-summer gal, so this intro to Fall 2020 was a bit of a challenge to embrace. I can tolerate the cooler temps, but Momma N was insistent on also blessing us with wind on a daily basis. And it wasn't a warm breezy kind of wind, either.

Oh well, at least she's not dropping any of the white stuff on us yet (knock on wood).

Gimme A (coffee) Break

If there ever was a coffee date I've been needing, it would be this one.

Actually, I'd be savoring a chai latte. As much as I love the aroma of coffee, I've never acquired a taste for the stuff. I do adore the quaint atmosphere of a coffee shop, though. And if there are a few friends, gathered around an intimate table...well, all the better.

I'm not a stress-filled, anxiety-consumed person...usually. Things have been a little out-of-the-ordinary in recent weeks, though, and I'm eagerly waiting for a break in the action, so to speak. There's a lot to be said for things returning back to their original positions.

My 2020 Spring (empty) Bucket List

There were all kinds of grandiose things on tap for my 2020 spring racing season.

Sorry, but I'm not sorry for being an early bird (both in my daily routine AND in registering for races). There is a gamble, though, in that the race(s) may not come to fruition and that start line (and subsequent finish line) will not happen. It could be all on the runner (ahem, injury or arisen schedule conflicts) or it could be on the race day circumstances (the weather).

Or, in my case, it was due to COVID-19 messing with things.

SMILE because it happened

It's been a rather interesting, racing-packed spring for me.

All told, there have been seven races run over the time-span of  9.5 weeks, 67 days to be exact.

I'm pretty happy with how each and every one of them played out...but now what???

Should I be sorrowful that a great season has come to an end? Anxious that the momentum may cease during this brief time of rebooting? Or, shall I simply smile, and be quite content that all went well?

Destination: Downtime

I have been racing, racing, and racing....now what???

After a busy late winter/early spring of (almost) nonstop racing, I'm in the midst of a fog. Kind of a racing hangover, if you will. It's like that period right after a marathon (or a major race/event), when you feel a sense of numbness because there's nothing immediate on the calendar, but you're quite content with how things played out in getting there.

None the less, my mind, body and spirit are ready for a brief session of n.o.t.h.i.n.g. In other words,
Destination: Downtime.

Grand Blue Mile 2019

Ever heard the phrase "Double or Nothing?"

Although I'm not the one who authored it, I'm definitely a believer in the concept.

Such was the case with the Bulldog Double. Having just run the half marathon (recap) three days prior, The Grand Blue Mile was the finale of not only the 2019 Bulldog Double, but also my Spring 2019 racing roster.