Reunited with the Flock! Market-to-Market 2026 Recap

Oops, we did it again!

The date was Saturday May 9th. There were seven of us, dressed in seven variations of pink gear. There was a 72-mile course to run. And we had the entire day to do so.  

Yes, it was time to return to the Market-to-Market Relay!

More Spring Chillin’

Spring 2026, in Iowa, has been seasonably “unseasonable.”

The calendar is showing Spring, but we keep getting Winter feels-like conditions on repeat. The wind has been downright brutal and rude. At least we haven’t seen any of the white stuff (snow or frost), so there’s that.  

That said, if anyone has a magic weather wand, I’d appreciate a wave or two to set things right, LOL

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. 

…and Spring Awakens

It was quite a week.

Active recovery (ha ha! #SortOf), Celebrations. Service. And, another race. Not a bad mix, right?

Momma N even righted all the wrongs she threw at us over the previous weekend, so she’s not on my hit list anymore.  

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? 

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. 

Kewash Trail Half Marathon race recap

Let's just say it was just meant to be. Finally.

Ever have a race that has been on your radar for years, only it never fit your schedule?

Well, finally the stars, moons, planets (and any other forces that be) all aligned. At long last, I was able to run the Kewash Trail Half Marathon.

Girl Power: Market to Market Relay 2022 recap

Girl Power.

There's something about rallying together, over the course of 76ish miles, and getting it done. All kinds of grit. Lots of perseverance. A few tears along the way. An endless supply of support, encouragement, and laughter. And a finish line like none other.

I'm talking about the Market to Market Relay. And the sisterhood of six other runners and myself. And 12 hours (and nine minutes) of running. And a crowded van. And a nearly 18-hour day together... 

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. 

Spring - Then vs. Now

What's up with Spring 2021? 

Things are a little different, now, than they were a year ago. There's still a lot of unrest and unknowns, but things are definitely moving in a better direction, at least in terms of "normalcy" for us runners.

Thankfully, I didn't put my running shoes (or other fitness accessories) in storage once Covid hit the fan, but there were some necessary adjustments last Spring. Now, as the vaccine is allowing for more freedom (and/or peace of mind... for some, at least), I find myself (again) adjusting my regimen.

Shall we do a then vs. now comparison?

Feelin' Fine: Back in a Bib

 

The bibs are back, and I couldn't be happier!

Not everyone will share in the joy many runners are feeling. I get that. It's kind of a luxury we may have taken for granted prior to Covid. 

But, alas, races are (slowly) making a comeback, and I'm pretty jacked. 

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!

Chocoholic Frolic 5K Race Recap

A lot of us are eager to get back on a race course.

A lot of us will do anything for chocolate.

How about a race that features chocolate? Sounds pretty sweet, am I right?

The Sun Will Come Out...Tomorrow

Got sunshine? 

It didn't happen in Iowa this past week. Not to worry, I know the sun is always shining even if it's hidden by a few (or several) clouds. There may have been some rain, and the temps were on the chilly side of Spring, but all went well. This next week is looking like a 180, though.

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.

Marching and Racing into Spring

March 2020 is gonna be a busy and fun month for this runner!

There's some traveling on tap. A new state to check off. And my favorite non-running event will be  the culminating crescendo.

Care to hear what's on the roster?

Running Against the Wind - Market-to-Market Relay 2019

We were running against the wind. All five of us. All day.

But, hey, at least we outran the rain!

Such was the day for our team at the 2019 Market to Market Relay on Saturday, May 11th. The temps were chilly (it never got warmer than 55F), the air was damp, and the wind was brutal. That said, it still was a fun adventure in our five sets of running shoes.

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.