Keeping it Real

I believe in keeping it real, and (almost) full disclosure.

In doing so, I am not going to be a poser. Sure, we all love sunshine, butterflies (though I actually prefer dragonflies), and happy thoughts. But this blog post is going to be about struggle, and ultimately perseverance.

Barb and myself, on the bus, getting shuttled to the start line

My race on Saturday, the Hillbilly Hike, had all the makings of a "perfect race." The weather was beautiful, actually about as close to "perfect" as it can get in Iowa in early November, unlike last year when it was very windy and cold (you can read about that experience HERE).Temps were in the mid-high 30's at start time, and it was in the 50's when we finished.

Start line selfie..."stars" in my eyes???

The course was near "perfect" as well. Running 13.1 miles on a resurrected railroad path pretty much ensures a pretty flat running experience. 

My usual hamstring/glute stiffness was minimal, and gone within the first mile or so. I ran the first mile in 8:20 (which is borderline dangerous for me when there are 12.1 miles remaining), but I was able slow it down and kept a near "perfect" 9-minute pace for the next several miles. I had forgotten my GPS watch,but I did have my basic stop watch with me. It doesn't give me any GPS or current pacing information, but I know enough math to calculate my pace at the mile marks based on the elapsed time. That's what I have done forever, before the GPS watches were deemed "necessary." (Yes, I"m #oldschool).

All (indeed) seemed "perfect."

pic from Panfoto

Then, around mile 8, I noticed things changing. That 9-minute pace was beginning to feel not-so-easy anymore. I made it to the 9-mile mark, and my watch showed 1:22...so my pace had plummeted (it should have been around 1:21). I was really hoping for a sub-2-hour finish. If I could rally, and get my 9-minute pace back, I'd still be able to finish around 1:58. 

Well, that was my new "perfect" plan of action. I walked for a few seconds and finished off the last of my Tailwind (a powder that is mixed with water for fuel). 

Usually, a quick 5-10 seconds of walking recharges my mojo, and (usually) I can easily make up the "lost" time with renewed energy. Key word: usually. Not even 1/4 of the way into mile 10, I could tell the 9-minute pace was done for the day. 

 Now, I am not a fast runner, but it's really hard (and actually more exhausting, believe it or not) to run "slower" than what feels natural. I usually just run based on how I feel, but all of a sudden, my body just felt so tired .A couple of short walk intervals, and I made it to the 10-mile mark, 1:34 on my watch. If this was a brand new race (on a brand new day), I could do the remaining 5K in 26 minutes (or less)....but that new-day-strategy wasn't an option. And (#reality), the sub-2 hour would not be happening. 

I was disappointed with my situation, but even greater was the frustration with the sudden exhaustion that had just blindsided me. My legs were burning with the increased work of keeping my body in motion. My mantra (from mile 8) had been SAGF (Sustain And Go Forward), but that was progressively getting more difficult. I have never DNF'd  (Did Not Finish) a race, but for the first time ever, the fear of doing so crossed my mind.

I had noticed a guy and a gal doing run/walk intervals, I had chatted with the guy briefly at the start line. I remember him saying his goal time was 1:40ish...so he wasn't making his goal either, and instead was supporting and encouraging the gal. We had been leap-frogging for a couple miles, about the same time I had started noticing things going south with my pace and energy level. About halfway through the 10th mile, I caught up with them, and asked if I could join their party. There is strength in numbers, and I could tell they were struggling as well. Also, I knew I'd need some outside source of motivation to get me to the finish line because the temptation to walk was overwhelming.

We laughed about the situation, and commiserated on the fact that no matter the "perfect" race day circumstances, some times it's just not your day. Reality bites. We talked about other races each of us had done (he'd also run Grandma's Marathon, but a couple years prior). He shared a story of a fellow runner who had made it to mile 24, and wasn't happy with his projected finish time...so he pulled out and DNF'd because he didn't want his less-than-desired finish time published. Wow. How's that for perspective! I'd rather finish a race, even if it meant crawling across the finish line, than just giving up. All of us were in agreement on that notion.

We made it to the final mile, and (slowly and painfully) were able to run the majority of it. I have never, ever, been so happy to see a finish line. And I have never been more proud of myself for gritting it out and finishing what I had started.

Keeping it real. The numbers don't lie.

My finish time was 2:08:31, definitely one of my slower half marathons, and definitely one of the most challenging....both mentally and physically. The final 5K took me about 35 minutes, which is a good eight minutes slower than my slowest time for that distance as well. Let me emphasize there is nothing wrong, bad, or embarrassing about these finish times, whether it's myself or someone else achieving them.  Even though I know I am capable of a different outcome, I also know I did the absolute best I could muster to finish the Hillbilly Hike on Saturday. Our finish times are personal, as are our abilities and our goals. And that's the way it should be. What a boring world it would be if all of us were equally matched.

A highlight was seeing  my gal, Kris! She's the owner of the We Run store, and has been a savior to me!

Another nice piece of hardware for my efforts

So, what went wrong? I've never hit the proverbial "Wall" with such force before. I have a lot of thoughts on that matter, the first one being my fueling strategy. I still have a lot of tweaking to figure out. The Tailwind seems to work, but I don't like the fact that it's adding so much extra water to my running. I never drink that much water, in training or at a race, and my bladder is forced to work overtime. Not fun. I think I need more solid food in my body. My 5:45AM serving of oatmeal was probably long-since digested and gone by the time the race began (8:30AM). Maybe I need to carry a granola bar or Honey Stinger waffle with me? Ugh...I hate trying to eat while on the run (literally). Gels and chews/blocks are not an option either (hello? GI torture, anyone?) Again, I had the PlowOn gum (for energy), but I think the carb crash was so overwhelming, not even a second piece of gum would have helped replenish the lost energy. I love the gum, and I plan to keep using it, but it doesn't give me any calories.

The good news? I did finish the race, and vertical at that! Once again, I was reminded how lucky I am to have my endurance to carry me through, especially when (most) hope seems lost.  I am doing the responsible thing and taking a bit of an off-season recovery period. No, I'm not putting the running shoes in storage, but there are no long distance events on the calendar for a few months. I still plan to be running a few times each week, and doing some fun "short distance" events (with an occasional long run now and then). I also plan to refocus my fitness priorities, and shift more towards flexibility (yoga) and strength (P90X) while I lighten the cardio obligations. Heck, most professional athletes take an off-season ...why should non-professionals be any different?

Have you ever hit The Wall during a race? Have you ever struggled with finding the "right" fuel for you? Do you take an off-season?

(Almost) All About Me...a re-introduction of sorts

How about a re-introduction?

I wrote a blog post (when I first started this blogging gig) with some trivia about myself (you can read it HERE), but a lot has changed since way back then. I have run several more races, trained for three marathons (and ran them!), did my first duathlon, and even ran an Ultra! And, the best thing of all, I have made so many wonderful friends while doing all of the above.

My running journey started 10 years ago, and I have loved every minute of it. There have been some annoyances and injuries, but every setback has made me stronger and wiser. I have run everything from  5K's to marathons...and my first Ultra (back in July) was ever-so-tough, but ever-so-incredible. The half marathon is, hands-down, my favorite distance.

Care to learn more about me? Read on... 

I used to be an introvert. Key words, "used to be" (past tense). I am not afraid of the photographers on the race course, and have no shame in "posing" for the camera.

 I am a self-professed art geek. Drawing. Painting. Knitting. Sidewalk chalk. All of these make me happy.

I get inspiration from the non-traditional runners (who often struggle with calling themselves "runners"). I recently had this revelation at a marathon I was spectating (while waiting for the final runner on my relay team). I saw a lot of the fast runners coming through, and their speed was very impressive. But it was the ones who finished a couple hours later that had me in tears and  in awe. They were the ones (also in tears themselves), who were high-5'ing the spectators, laughing and totally taking in the experience of the finish line.

For as modern as I may appear, I am very old-school when it comes to technology. I like running in its most rare form....outside, with no gadgets dictating my speed or geographic location. I like to think my running is all of my own doing, without relying on pace/speed/distance prompts. I like music, though, so I do embrace the technology that enables me to have it with me.

Shoes. Oh, how I love my shoes (and not just my running shoes). As much as I adore my running shoes, you will seldom ever see me wearing them unless I'm headed out for a run or race. It's just not my thing to wear them with non-running clothing.....that's what my sparkly sandals, cheetah-print flats, and boots are for.

And, speaking of running shoes, I usually have to enhance my shoes with colorful laces and "Sharpie-work" on the soles. Blending in is SO over-rated, in my opinion. Here's another blog post, discussing this "shoe enhancing" obsession of mine HERE.

I LOVE bright colors (again, it's that not-blending-in thing). Like with my "non-running" clothing, I seldom ever wear the same outfit twice. No, I am not constantly buying new stuff...instead, I'm a huge believer in mixing & matching. One of my mantras is "Go bright or stay home." 

I change up my hair from time-to-time as well. No boring pony tails for me, I usually have a colorful visor, a funky head band, or a crazy "messy" up-do thing happening. You can read about my various hair options for running  HERE 

I run outside, almost always. And I live in Iowa, so I get to experience every kind of weather....wind, rain, snow, sub-freezing temps, and crazy heat & humidity (sometimes all on the same day). Running outside keeps me ready for almost any race day conditions, and that will not happen inside a inside a gym.

 I have a treadmill (whom I have non-affectionately named Duh-Mill), but I seldom ever climb on it and press "go." A lot of people love 'mill running, but I am not a fan. It's too repetitive, and always makes me feel like the 'mill is in control of the workout (and not me). Sure, I program the speed (and incline), but ultimately the 'mill is moving and I'm merely keeping up with it. Besides, I know for a fact, it smells much better outside....fresh air makes my hyper-sensitive sense of smell happy.

 I finish almost every race with my hands in the air. Truth. Every finish line is a victory, why not celebrate it?

I am a huge advocate for cross-training. Running is my first love, but it does a body good to be more than "just a runner." My second favorite fitness activity is stair-climbing. I have done the Fight for Air Climb four times (once in Chicago and three times in Des Moines). You can read about my climbing adventures here (Des Moines 2015 and Des Moines 2014 and Chicago 2014 and  Des Moines 2013 ).

I am very lucky to have a great support system, not just from friends but also from my family. My husband has been at a lot of my finish lines, and it means the world to me (even when he photo bombs me at mile 26).

Although I do not believe in daily running, on occasion I will partake in a running streak (usually for no longer than 30 days at a time). It's a good way to step out of my comfort zone, and it always reinforces the beauty of NOT streaking all the time.  Streaking works for some runners, but I'm not one of them. And I'm alright with that.

I am working on being more disciplined with yoga. Flexibility does not come naturally for me, so yoga is really an awesome challenge. My balance has dramatically improved!

I may or may not have a small obsession with sidewalk art appearing at random times in my driveway.

So there you have it! Anything else you'd like to know about me? Care to share a random fact about YOU?

***A big thank you to Kristy at Runaway Bridal Planner for hosting this awesome blog hop for myself and a bunch of fellow bloggers!!!

Get down and assume the position!

The Planking on the Fly CHALLENGE...get down and assume the position!

Are you a planker?  Do you want to become a planker? Do you want to become a better planker? If so, read on! It's time for the Planking on the Fly CHALLENGE!

Planking is a great way to work (and strengthen!) your core. Did you know your core serves a valuable purpose, not just for running, but also in your everyday life? Having a strong core helps you with your day-to-day activities by enhancing your balance and perfecting your posture (just to name a couple).

So, how does one "plank?" There is more than one way to do a plank, depending on your strength and fitness level. The main thing to remember when planking (no matter which position) is to focus on your form...abs held in, butt squeezed tight, back kept straight (not hunched or rounded), and try to keep your head level with your back (not up too high or bent way down). Flexing the leg muscles will help you to stay in position. Also, I recommend you wear shoes to protect your toes. Doing these on a yoga mat will protect your elbows and keep you from "sliding." And when you start to feel your form failing, it's time to stop. It will take time to build your strength and stamina, so be patient but persistent.

Here's the basic plank. You balance on your toes and hands for as long as you're able:

It also helps to have a dog to spot you....

This is basically the same plank, but a little more challenging...balancing on your forearms and toes:

Again, with the dog. His name is Max. 

Even more challenging is the Chaturanga position.....down in a push-up position, just inches from the floor:

This position will take some time to perfect....and you probably will not be able to hold it for as long as the other positions

You can plank on your side, balancing on your hands and feet:

You can also stack the top foot onto the bottom foot, but I prefer it this way. Be careful to hold your upper hip up (and don't let it sway downward) 

You can do a side plank while balanced on the forearm and feet. This position is more difficult and you will really feel your hip flexors working:

Again, keep the hips UP (and not swayed downward)

So, what is happening with the Planking on the Fly CHALLENGE? I'm challenging YOU to plank every day. Set a goal for a total number of #Novemberplankingminutes for the month of November, and work towards reaching (or surpassing) it.  Set the number high, and do a little each day. 

My goal? I'm shooting for 200 #Novemberplankingminutes in the #plankingontheflyCHALLENGE. Sounds like a lot, huh!  Breaking it down, I have to average just under 7 minutes of planking each day. Of course, that means I will need to get down on the floor more than once every day (hello? a 7-minute plank? not happening for me...yet). Every morning, I plank for 2:30 while my chai latte' is heating, so that's my starting point. Lately, I've been doing a longer plank in the evening as well...anywhere from 4-5 minutes in length. If I'm not feeling like doing that long plank in the evening, I can do a couple of shorter planks instead. Or, I can do a few random short planks during the day. All of the minutes add up.

So, my challenge to you is to give it a shot! I'll try to do a nightly post, sharing my stats on Facebook at Running on the Fly  and Instagram at @runningonthefly and I invite you to share/post your stats as well (and remember to use the hashtags #Novemberplankingminutes and #plankingontheflyCHALLENGE, so we all can support and encourage each other). If we all do this together, it will be that much easier to be accountable. And we'll all be stronger for the effort!

Are you ready to get down and assume the position? What is YOUR goal? Do you have a dog to monitor your progress?

OOFOS...a total treat for the feet!!

Comfy and stylish!

Oh my, these are so sweet on the feet!!!!

Coming off a summer spent with on/off Plantar Fasciitis, I have a renewed appreciation for TLC for my feet. I had seen several reviews of the OOFOS, and wondered if they were all they were hyped up to be.

Typically, when I finish a long race (especially if it's a hot summer day), the first thing I do as soon as I reunite with my belongings (from the bag check) is take off the running shoes and icky socks.

I inherited a discarded pair of Crocs (when the oldest daughter no longer wanted them), and those have been my post-race go-to shoes. They're comfy and airy, and feel great on tired feet after 13.1 miles. Truth be told, even though I love the funky colors, the Crocs are kind of lacking in style.

The pink and orange Crocs....

Enter the OOFOS. I received a pair of them in the mail, ironically an hour before leaving for the expo for my recent half marathon (how's that for timing!). Even though it was a chilly day, I promptly kicked off my cheetah-print flats and slid on these shoes.

Check out that arch support!

Immediately, I was in love with them. SO comfy, they felt like pillows under my feet. Excuse the cliche,' but it literally felt like I was walking on air. I have a new appreciation for arch support (thanks to the PF), and these have ample support.

They felt so good, I wore them to the expo that first day.

 I have walked the dog (numerous times) in them.

Taking Max for a spin around the block....

 I prefer them to my carpet slippers. They are fantastic!

Who needs slippers with their pajamas?

There are multiple styles (for men and women), and some are available in different colors. I was sent the OOlala style, in black. I usually wear a 9-1/2 ladies size shoe, and the size 10's of the OOFOs are great. I appreciate the tapered toe (since I have narrow feet). Granted, they are more of a casual shoe than a dressy sandal, but the tapered toe design gives them a much less "chunky" silhouette than other exercise/recovery sandals.

This is what the tag (pictured below) says about the OOFOS products:
* Created and engineered for true recovery and recharge
* Arch support for all foot types
* Lasting function and comfort
* Lightweight and flexible
* Machine washable (cold water only)
* Durable

You can check out their website HERE. They also have a Facebook page you can visit to see updates on what's happening.

****Disclaimer****  I was given these in exchange for my blog review,  but all opinions expressed here are authentically my own.

Have you tried OOFOS yet? Do you wear recovery shoes after a long race or training run?

IMT Des Moines (half) Marathon weekend : Part 2 - the 13.1 Reality Check

I'm always eager to do new events and races, but the IMT Des Moines Marathon keeps pulling me back year after year.

In 2008, I was new to the sport of distance running. I ran Dam to Dam in May, but that was a 20K at the time. The IMT Des Moines Half Marathon was my first official 13.1 race. The course was beautiful, the crowd support was amazing, and I finished in 2:05...and my husband and three kids were there at the finish line to celebrate with me. And I was hooked.

Approaching the finish line in 2008

I didn't return to this race until 2011, but I've been there every year since.

in 2011, I captured my first sub-2 hour finish!

In 2012, I bested my sub-2 hour with a brand new PR!

In 2013, brrrrr.....there was some major wind!

In 2014, I upped the ante and ran the full marathon!

And, this year I was one of the participants in the inaugural Half Marathon/5K Combo (there also was a Combo for the full marathoners, and also for the relay team runners). In previous years, the Principal Financial Group Road Race 5K had always been held on the same day (Sunday) as the half and full marathons. Moving the 5K to Saturday allowed for a much less-crowded start line, and opened the opportunity for two days of racing.

The 5K went well (you can read all about it HERE). I was happy to have none of my usual first mile aches or pains. I was really excited with my finish time of 24:33 (even though the course actually was 2.8 miles...a tad bit short of the 5K distance). That would have been a major PR for me, but I know I'm not THAT fast (and I probably would have compromised my performance for the next day). So that was Saturday.

The next morning started with a 5:15AM wake-up and a 6:00AM departure. We (myself and my friend, Barb) arrived just before 7:00 and had plenty of time to find an indoor restroom (thank you Embassy Suites!), and meetup with a few peeps. I was especially hoping to find Sheryl (a gal who was embarking on her first 26.2 race), I wanted to give her a good luck hug and wish her well.

A quick pic with Barb, Amy, and Sheryl (in the light green) before the start of her first 26.2!

Barb and I headed to the start line area, and found a few other local Grinnell folk in the crowd.

With Andrew and Linda

As we made our way towards the timing mat, I pulled off a glove so I could hit the start button on my GPS watch....only to see an unfamiliar screen on the watch. In a moment of panic, I hit the back-space button and that lost everything. I hit the restart button and it went back to the unfamiliar screen. UGH! No time to play around with it, so I hit start and relented to the fact that I would at least have a stop watch. I really didn't need the GPS,other than to have it record the mile splits for me.

Ready to go!

Then, as I'm trying to slide my glove back on, it hits the ground....mind you, I'm also attempting to run at the same time. Another UGH! Have you ever tried to back track a few steps (at the start of a race) to pick up a dropped glove? It was not easy, and it was not fun. Yes, I was one of  "those runners" stopped in the middle of the road, causing a huge parting of bodies as I retrieved the glove.

Mischief managed, I wove my way through the crowd and caught back up to Barb. We hung together for the first couple miles, then she gradually pulled ahead. I ran the first few miles in an approximate 8-minute pace (according to the elapsed time showing as I crossed the mile markers). Again, UGH. Although it didn't feel that difficult, that is a fast pace for me. Not good. There was no way I'd be able to maintain that for another 10 miles, so I slowly eased back and was able to keep a solid 9-minute pace for the next several miles.

This little itty bitty piece of PlowOn gum would help me get to the finish line

I was using PlowOn gum and Tailwind as my energy and fuel sources. That meant I had the fuel belt strapped to my waist (not my favorite option, but manageable). It was cool at race time, so I was wearing a thin windbreaker and gloves over my tank and arm sleeves. By mile 2.5 the gloves were off, and the jacket was waist-tied by mile three.

Overall, I was feeling pretty good. The usual stiffness was there (glutes & hamstrings), but not unbearable. The weather was absolutely beautiful!

The first few miles took us through the streets of downtown Des Moines, before working our way towards Water Works Park. This part of the course, though very scenic, is probably my least favorite segment of the race. We run a large loop through the park, and every year this loop seems to take longer and longer. It is exciting, though, seeing the fast racers coming out (as they approach their 8-mile mark) as you're going in (approaching mile 4).

I'm not quite certain when it started, but it was around mile 5 when I felt the beginning stages of something not feeling "right." I'm still kind of a newbie using Tailwind (powder that is mixed with water) for my fuel. It tastes great, but I am not a fan of carrying my own water, in a handheld or on a waist pack. Although the waistpack/fuel belt worked alright a few weeks prior (at the Quad Cities Marathon), I was in a tank and shorts than day, and I didn't have a waist-tied jacket competing for the limited available space around my torso.

It felt like I had everything but my bathtub tied around my waist

I had been sipping a few swallows of the Tailwind every couple miles, and had gradually slid the holster on my belt more towards my right side than across my back, in an effort to make it easier to access the water bottle. I pulled the bottle out just after the 5-mile mark, and noticed the pop-top was missing. The bottle was wet and sticky from the water splashing out (and, therefore, my hand was wet and sticky as well). SERIOUSLY? I had filled the bottle about half way full, giving me approximately 10 oz. of water for the duration of the 13.1 miles I'd be running. With some of the water gone (from splashing out of the bottle), I had no idea how much water I had actually consumed at that point. I didn't want to drink the remaining contents all at once (porta-pots, anyone?), but I didn't know how much more would be leaking/splashing out if I tried to continue with the bottle in my belt.

And the pop-top is...missing #frustration

I ran a short ways with the bottle in my hand, but it's not an ergonomic-shaped bottle (and I did not wish to run eight more miles like that). So, I put it back in the holster, and made a quick wish for a miracle.  Fortunately, my pace was still keeping steady (just under a 9-minute pace), so I was still on target for my sub-2 hour goal ...but I was secretly hoping for a PR (1:57 or faster).

I made it out of Water Works Park, and was SO happy to cross that 8-mile mark! Next up was Grays Lake Park, and the five remaining miles to the finish line.

Although, my pace had stayed pretty steady, I could tell things were slowing down. I tried sipping the Tailwind water, but I felt like my last ounce of mojo had disappeared. My energy felt good, but my legs just did not want to move. I kept glancing at my watch, and by the time I made it to the 9-mile mark, I knew the PR was not going to happen. The watch showed 1:25....there still was a chance of knocking out a sub-2 hour finish, but with my failing leg power it would be tough. I pulled over and walked for a few quick seconds. Usually a quick walk is all I need to rally and get back in the race with renewed energy. I tried to resume running, but felt like I was moving in slow motion.

Even more disheartening, I noticed the 2-hour pace group. For a split second, I felt a twinge of elation...and knew if they could do this, I could too.  Then, reality hit. I realized I was not catching up with the pace group, but instead, they were passing me. I tried to shake the negativity out of my head, and continued running. If I kept with the group, I'd be alright. Right?

A short while later, I could tell the pace group was inching away from me....and despite my sheer will to stay with them, I just could not do it. My legs were shot. And my spirits took a nose dive.

As I approached the 10-mile mark, I accepted the fact that the sub-2 wasn't going to happen either. There was a short incline, which would take us out of the park, and I decided to let myself walk. There were no tears, but plenty of frustration in those 2-3 minutes of walking.

As much as I was hoping to smash my PR (or at the very least, finally claim a 2015 sub-2), the reality is that I am more of a runner than a racer. I really truly LOVE to run races, but I detest the competitive aspect of said races. I admire the runners who can focus on their pace, and not hold anything back until the finish line....but I am just not one of them. I like chatting with others, and high-5'ing the kids. I enjoy the scenery and making eye contact with the crowd. I want to laugh and smile. That's who I am, and trying to be Competitive Susie Racer is not being true to myself (and it's oh-so-frustrating). I sacrificed the better part of this beautiful race course by worrying about my finish time instead of actually enjoying the race itself.

With that revelation, I broke back into a comfortable pace, and made it to the finish line with a smile. My finish time was 2:04:21.....still a decent finish time, especially for a klutz like me who can barely walk without tripping. I know I can run 13.1 miles faster than that, and it's OK if I don't do it every time I pin on a race bib. After all, there was a time when I couldn't run a 5K race without walking.

An Army soldier smiled at me as he put the medal around my neck, and I thanked him for his service (as well as the other Army soldier helping him). I found Barb immediately afterwards. Also my cousin, Jessica, was there. We chatted for awhile and all took turns stretching. It turns out all of us were exhausted, and somewhat sore. The wind had picked up, and since we were no longer running, we all felt cold.

Another 13.1 race completed with my buddy

A short while later, we bumped into another friend from Grinnell, Dave. This was Dave's first-ever half marathon!

We were so proud of Dave!

A very cool feature of doing the Half Marathon/5K Combo was how the medals from each race came as a set. The medals had magnets, so you can either keep them separate or you can attach them together.

Aren't they pretty?

So, my final thoughts? Overall, I am satisfied. Sure, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed with the elusive PR eluding me (again), but it's pretty conceited to whine about a 2:04:21 finish. I know there are many people who would love to run a half marathon, but are not able to do so. Every finish line is a victory, and I am choosing to celebrate this one. The results showed I finished 66th out of the 278 women in my age division, I'm quite alright with that.

I think I started out too fast (when will I ever learn?), and the fuel became an issue with the broken water bottle. By the end of the race, the back of my shirt was a saturated mess, so I have no way of knowing how much Tailwind water I actually drank (I'm guessing not enough). There were Gu gels available along the course, but I didn't want to take any of that and mix it with the Tailwind I'd already consumed. I never felt thirsty while running, but I was a puffy, bloated mess for several days afterwards (which usually indicates dehydration). I have another half marathon in a few weeks....I'm not sure if I'll be able to find a replacement bottle (or a new pop-top lid) for my belt or if I will have to resort to a handheld bottle. I have had good luck using Tailwind, I just need to figure out an efficient way (for me) to carry it. And I love the PlowOn gum!

So, there you have it. The 2015 IMT Des Moines Marathon experience.....care to join me next year?

Have you ever done an event that involved two consecutive days of racing? Did you get bonus bling for doing more than one race? Ever have a water bottle malfunction?

Do you prefer to run or to race?

IMT Des Moines (half) Marathon weekend : Part 1 - the 5K

Let's start at the beginning...

This past weekend was the IMT Des Moines Marathon. 

I have participated in this great event five times, running the half marathon in 2008, 2011, 2012 and 2013, and, last year (2014), I ran the full marathon.  

The expo is always a huge endeavor with lots of  excitement and plenty of vendors. A neat feature this year was the appearance of Kathrine Switzer. Most of us know who she is.....the first woman to wear a bib at the Boston Marathon (in 1967). She was bullied on the course, and one of the race directors tried to pull off her bib and force her out of the race. She persevered, stayed the course (so to speak) and finished the race that day...and in doing so paved the way for women to not only be runners, but racers as well.

It was an honor meeting Kathrine Switzer

Saturday morning arrived with cold temps! Yes, this is Iowa, and we do not have tropical temps, especially this time of year. But, Holy Yikes! A little bit of a transition would be appreciated, Momma N! It was in the mid-30's as we climbed into the car and headed towards Iowa's capital city.

This year, my friend, Barb, and myself were participants in the inaugural Half Marathon/5K Combo (there also was a Combo for the full marathoners, and for relay team runners as well). In previous years, the Principal Financial Group Road Race 5K had always been held on the same day (Sunday) as the half and full marathons. Moving the 5K to Saturday allowed for a much less-crowded start line, and opened the opportunity for two days of racing.

Ready to line up with my sis, Lisa, and my favorite running buddy, Barb

After much persuasion, my sister Lisa agreed to register for the 5K, and joined myself and Barb (my usual race day companion). Lisa has done some running, but this would be her first time pinning on a race bib.

Desperate times call for desperate measures...running tights!

Due to the chilly temps, it was time for pulling on the running tights, wearing gloves, and donning a fleece headband. Actually, this kind of weather makes for a perfect race (after the first 10 minutes or so). The course was flat, we had no wind and plenty of sunshine...so the race day conditions were perfect.

ready to roll...

We heard a beautiful saxophone rendition of the National Anthem, the gun went off, and we were moving! I had mixed feelings on how to run this race. Given the flat course, this would be a great opportunity to try for a PR. Though the temptation was overwhelming, I knew it would not be wise to push myself too much with a half marathon on tap in the next 24 hours (and THAT was the race where I was really hoping to chase a PR).

I made it to the 1-mile mark, and my watch showed I was just under an 8:30 pace. The course was an out-and-back, and by the time I hit the turn-around I was feeling warm. As I approached the 2-mile mark, my watch showed I was just over 15 minutes of running....which would have meant I ran that second mile around an 8-minute pace. Although it was one of those mornings when the run felt effortless, I really didn't think I was going that fast. I made it to the finish line and felt great.


The race went well and I was happy to have none of my usual first mile aches or pains. I was really excited with my finish time of 24:33...but I suspected the course was not quite a full 3.1 miles (we later learned due to a mis-communicaton with course set-up, it was actually 2.8 miles). That would have been a major PR for me, but I know I'm not THAT fast. I ran it well, but I definitely was not "sprinting."

Barb had finished ahead of me, and I found her immediately. She agreed that the course seemed a little short as well. It wasn't long, and we saw Lisa coming through the finish chute. I had asked if she wanted us to run with her and she told us to do our own thing. She wanted to focus on running and wouldn't be "talking" to either of us anyways. OK then.

She said she felt winded (it was 35-degrees, after all), but was able to run the entire race! (spoiler alert--on the way home, she admitted that she wanted to do another race!)

Despite the issue with the course length, this event was well organized and very well attended. There was a total of 1080 participants (640 females, 440 males). My stats were decent - 8th out of 61 in my age division, 76th among the 640 women, and 211th overall.  I'll take it!

All participants received a nice finisher medal, and check out the cute hat! I have done similar events where there are multiple races, and it's a nice change to get a hat instead of a second shirt (really, how many shirts does a racer need?).

I'm totally in love with the hat!!

As mentioned, there was a discrepancy with the course length. To show what a top-notch event this is, we received a follow-up email, apologizing (again) for the problem, and all 5K participants were given a discount code to use on any of the races at the 2016 venue. As if I needed an additional incentive to return!

Have you ever participated in a mulit-day racing event? Did you "race" all of the events, or try to save yourself for one of them?