Des Moines Marathon - RunMarathon

Ran with Jay and the 3:25 pace group again this year. Forecast called for rapidly rising temps between 10 and 11 - so keeping core temp down was key. Felt like I struggled through the first several hills - but settled into a rhythm around mile 8. Crisis almost hit at 16 when I had to hit the restroom - but lessons learned from my first marathon - DO NOT TRY TO CATCH THE PACE GROUP! Came out and ran my pace - which I had practiced often (another plus!) Restroom probably cost me a total of about 30 seconds - but smart decisions the rest of the race saved me from disaster! Had family give me a cooling towel around mile 22 - and started just dumping water on my head and back beginning about mile 18 to keep temps down.

Cannot emphasize enough to those who run with music how important it can be to have key songs on at key times. I put exactly 3:25 worth of music on my playlist - and tried to match key songs to potential downtimes in the race. At mile 21 - dcTalk's Jesus Freak came on - I think I scared people as I was singing at the top of my lungs; then about mile 24 (the bridge) Shinedown's Unity came on - "Put your hands in the air!" I got such a charge from these songs - they literally carried me to the finish.

Last year I cramped just after mile 24 and had to stop. This year I started to feel my legs - but forced myself to keep running through. I had visions of Boston in my head - and nothing was going to keep me from that.

Does anybody recall seeing a clock at the finish line? I crossed and stopped my Nike+ Sportswatch - but did not realize my finish time until my daughter found me several minutes later and showed me her phone. "Dad - you did it!"

Not much - when nature calls, nature calls. Run was a PR - and a BQ - so overall was nearly a perfect execution.

I left it all out on the course - two volunteers had to grab me after the finish to keep me from doing a header. Eventually walked back to the hotel for a shower - then a long ride home (6 1/2 hours!)


I ran to my training. The only way I could have run faster would have been a little cooler temps throughout the race.


Great volunteers - good water stations - good gel distribution. New this year was fruit out on course - but following mantra - Nothing new on race day! - did not take any. This is not the typical course for people to try and qualify for Boston - the hills early are challenging - but I think early hills are better than late hills. Being the second year I have run this course - I amped up my hill training significantly this year.