As the Eagle Flies

Disclaimer: I received free entry to the IMT Des Moines Marathon race as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

Eagles always dominate the scene whenever they enter it, even during a marathon. It’s amazing when the timeless beauty of nature completely takes over a moment. More about that soon.

You can find my in-a-nutshell review of the race at bibrave.com

Arriving in Des Moines on Friday night at about 7pm, I was able to pickup my marathon packet two days before the race. The weather forecast for Saturday turned chilly so an earlier arrival made sense to avoid the wintry chill. The expo closed at 8pm on Friday night and was open again all day Saturday until 6pm. I was impressed with the expo, it gave me important information I needed like about the anticipated crowding in the first few miles due to marathoners, half-marathoners, and marathon relay runners being together for at least 2 miles. 7000 strong in the first 2 miles according to the race director. The crowding was actually most notable as we tried to squeeze into the starting corral. It wasn’t too bad on the roads. I was happy to be able to chat with the 4:10 pacer and get some information on where the hills were located (up and down). Having never run this race before, I needed all the information I could get to help. Incuding maps because some of us are directionally challenged to some extent.

It was very cool at the expo to see all of the runners’ names on a large sign and also on the Range Rover. It personalizes it for us. I noticed a lot of Murphys besides me, not a surprise. It’s a pretty common Irish surname.

The night before, I grabbed a takeout salmon and salad dinner from Christopher’s, a restaurant recommended by a friend. I was overjoyed to see the very end of Nebraska’s football team beating Minnesota and finishing off the Golden Gophers to finally win our first game of the season. I drove back to my brother’s house in Clive and slowly ate my dinner. It was a good meal choice, perfect for the night before a marathon race.

Although I hoped to run some of the course before the race, that plan didn’t work. I decided instead to run in Clive, Iowa the day before the race.

On October 21, Sunday, I awoke around 5am to eat, drink a little coffee, hydrate with water, and prepare. My parking plan was to park at Principal Park but that was barricaded by police to protect the marathon route by the time I arrived downtown. So I recalculated to a parking garage at 8th and Mulberry, just a few blocks from the start of the race. An immediate challenge for me was an almost completely drained phone battery (due to cold and using Google maps to find the course and where to park).

It took me quite a while to determine where the gear drop/bag drop area was. Once I found it, there was a long line and it wasn’t moving quickly until race organizers realized how late it was. Then they sped up our gear drops. That helped. By this point, my phone battery was already in the red zone. And it became clear I wouldn’t have it available to use during the race. So I was unable to make contact with fellow BibRavePro Angie Maske-Berka to let her know, delaying our expected meeting a while.

The last photos I was able to capture myself were of the starting line. Then my phone was dead. No problem. These things happen. As long as the Garmin and my legs work, everything is fine.

As you can see at the start, it was crowded so it was difficult to establish the starting position with my pace group at the beginning. No worries. Let’s go!

But wait, first the national anthem. It was faint but I could hear it. The wind was audible too. Will this be an issue?

Finally, they started the race at 8am and we were off to see Des Moines in all its breezy sunny glory.

My goals for the race were: 1) to finish and 2) to run 4:10-4:15 or less if possible. I wore a 4:10 pace band, it was the closest one to my expected goal pace. And I was going to execute the run-walk-run plan that got me there to prevent injuries and finish strong. Being my 18th marathon but my first full in a few years, I was aware what it would take to finish. How fast would be the unknown.

As the race director warned us, it was pretty crowded for the most part for at least a mile or two, until the split occurred. Sometimes I really am torn when I see the half or full marathon split signs. But I told myself: there is no question here. This will be a full. My expected-full in Lincoln had already turned into a half earlier in the year. This was my opportunity to run the full distance and enjoy it as much as possible.

With a little weaving and passing, I was able to reach the 4:10 pace group and stuck with them for the most part for quite a while. My walk breaks were a little different. The pace group leader explained that they were doing a modified Galloway run-walk system of walking through the water stops. That’s great for me because I’m not very good at drinking water on the run unless it’s in a bottle or flask/bladder. Yes, we can pinch the cup to make it easier. I remembered that during the race. There were water and Gatorade stops every mile or two. Since I had trained almost exclusively with water (and coconut water), I stuck with water the whole way. I didn’t carry any with me and that gave me more mobility and strength to use during the race. It was slightly confusing to have water and Gatorade in Gatorade cups, sometimes on the same side at aid stations. In Lincoln, we have these on opposite sides in most spots so it’s a little more clear for runners.

During the first two hours of the race, I kept thinking to myself: it’s so cold. I had double-layered gloves, many layers on top and bottom and the cold/wind was still getting to me in exposed spots where there wasn’t a windbreak. My heart rate was also a little elevated for the first half. I’m not sure why. Maybe the slight discomfort of the cold/wind and just not knowing what was next. I knew I couldn’t run the whole race as a threshold run, so I kept up the walk breaks and finally my heart rate came back under control in the second half when I was more relaxed. It seemed to take me at least 10 miles to feel warm inside.

Somewhere around mile 10, I suddenly encountered Josh Berka running the opposite direction. I heard my name, and waved back. And soon after that, I encountered fellow BibRavePro Angie Maske-Berka, and we exchanged a just-passing-by runner’s high-five. Thanks Angie I needed that!

Shortly before mile 13/half marathon point, we reached the Drake University track, a beautiful blue oval. Blue is my favorite color so that was a wonderful but windy experience. I was very surprised this was on the course, I had no idea, I couldn’t tell it from the map. As we entered the track, my hat started to fly off but I grabbed it just in time. I didn’t realize they were calling us on the loudspeaker there if our numbers were visible (mine was under my jacket on my shirt). It gave it a very nice personalized touch. And as I ran around the track, I saw “Drake Relays” and remembered my father and brothers had all watched the relays here so it unexpectedly connected me to my family even though they weren’t able to watch me on the course.

My half split was pretty decent. I think it was 2:08ish. Very close to the pace-band pacing.

Finally I was able to take off one layer of gloves. I did drop one of my Asics NYC Marathon gloves and of course I went back to grab it. If these gloves have lasted 14 years already, I must keep them forever.

The wind seemed to diminish a little bit for the most part during the second half of the race (except around the lake) and that helped us. I finally felt like I was entering the running groove I wanted to establish. The leaves and scenery were just beautiful when we reached the trail. This was my favorite part of the course. Although I’m newer to trail running, it just seems to speak to my soul more than a lot of road running does. The natural beauty is very powerful and healing. Even the trees, leaves, water, and the gentler breeze.

By 17-18 miles or so, I was still running with the 4:10 pace group but it became apparent that they might be pulling ahead a little bit. I was trying to preserve my strength, knowing that I must keep a little energy in the tank for the end. I was able to grab a few salted caramel Gu packets and those were helpful as I forgot my nutrition bars I intended to bring. Fortunately, I remembered the salt tablets too. I was able to accelerate a little on the downhill that occurs around mile 17 (incline from 16 to 17). The 4:10 pacer gave me that observation when I asked about hills at the expo. That’s very helpful.

At the 19 mile aid station, there was BACON! I don’t think I’ve ever encountered this in a race before. Wow this race is full of surprises I thought. But I didn’t believe the bacon server, saying you’ve got to be kidding me. No really, it’s bacon…he told me…and you need the salt. Yes, I knew he was right about the salt part. Salt depletion by this point can be an issue. So I grabbed two delicious strips of bacon (wishing I could have more) and was replenished with energy and excitement for what is next.

At 20 miles, there is a chip mat. And my chip time there was favorable. Still had energy in the tank. No major issues. Just starting to feel slightly tired. I sped up a little at the chip mat, there was someone running at the same time and I was able to pick up my pace a little bit for a while.

Then out of nowhere, was the most amazing moment of the race: an elegant, graceful bald eagle was circling in front of us on the course. A photographer was noticing and snapping photos. Some runners noticed, some were oblivious or didn’t see it. I lost all sense of time and space. My jaw dropped to the ground and stayed open. I forgot I was racing. I just wanted to watch, see, and photograph the eagle. But my phone was dead. Slowing and stopping for a moment, I watched as the photographer captured a few more shots with a camera. Look at the amazing eagle! I told everyone. We were inspired and uplifted by this unexpected surprise. You can’t script these things. They either happen or they don’t. But it was an unforgettable moment for me, very powerful and amazing. Next time, maybe I’ll be the photographer-runner with a charged phone when the eagle returns. I don’t know how many people saw the eagle. Maybe it was just there for a short time, I’m not sure. But it gave this race a very special essence that races without a scenic trail component would lack.

Knowing that there would be no marathon PR by this point, I was okay with it. That wasn’t my goal.
Usually we know by 20 miles or so if we have a shot at that. Without more solid speedwork, I knew it would be extremely challenging to run a PR (3:27:36).

The Grays Lake part of the course is very beautiful but it was windy and chilly on this day. This is about miles 22-24. We start to ask ourselves: are we there yet? Not quite. Almost. I was slowing down a little but it was okay. Just keep running. And walking a little. Then running again.

The last water stop was around mile 25. I did grab a little water here. I think I grabbed water at almost all the water stations except maybe one. I felt hydrated and refreshed. No dehydration problems.

I made sure to unzip my IMT Des Moines Marathon jacket so my bib would be visible at the finish. Gotta make sure we have great finisher pictures to save some happy memorable moments.

My adjusted goal for the race became a 4:30 marathon. Then that shifted to 4:30-4:35 as I slowed down slightly.

Turning the corner, I could see that 4:35 could be broken, I just needed to accelerate a little bit. So I did. It’s always fun to finish a marathon with someone, even if you don’t already know them. A fellow runner beat me by a few footsteps but I was just overjoyed to have run the full 26.2 distance again safe and sound.

Glancing at my time, it was 4:34:42, just under the 4:35 target. We did it! I say we because my family and friends have helped me too. And yes even our dog, Misty, whom we consider family.

Walking to the finisher area, I happily received my medal and a water bottle. The photographer snapped it for posterity. Must hydrate immediately, especially with water, right?

I wanted to snap photos but no phone so I just wandered to the food area. Let’s see, everything looks delicious after a marathon. There were pork sandwiches, cookies, and all kinds of snacks and drinks (water and Gatorade).

I slowly walked to the car. The walk back to the car always seems longer than the brisk excited walk to the marathon course. I thought about stopping somewhere to eat on the way back to Clive but decided not to so I could charge my phone (finally).

Reaching my brother’s house, he graciously offered me all kids of leftover food. Some kind of parmesan alfredo and tomato bisque. Perfect! I was able to get an epsom salt bath that night and that helped.

Only one blister. A blood blister on my middle left toe. (One I didn’t tape, I taped its neighbors through). That’s pretty amazing to only have one blister after 26.2. Thanks to 2Toms Footshield/SportShield for preventing chafing and almost every blister.

I thought of driving home that night but I was too tired. One more night in Iowa.

Summary: It was a wonderful race, I highly recommend it. The marathon relay and half-marathon were very popular too. I think about 1500 or so of us 7000 ran the full (rough numbers, not exact). It’s a great tour of Des Moines with a few surprises. Make sure you keep your eyes peeled for wildlife on the trails. You never know what you’ll see. Maybe an eagle or who knows? I’m surprised I didn’t run a full marathon before in Iowa until number 18 (almost did Okoboji before but couldn’t quite get the timing squared away). It has a nice Midwestern flair, great hospitality, well-run race. The support on the course from volunteers, medical, and bikes was outstanding. And lots of kids offering high fives and the classic “Touch here for Power” button signs. I was impressed. We all did our very best so we could forget the rest.

It was a wonderful ending to a challenging year, when a glute injury almost derailed my run-streak. But fall is my comeback season. And it can be yours too.

If you ran this race, don’t forget to claim your results on Athlinks.com.

Enjoy your runs, please check out this race, and have fun!