Des Moines Marathon 2019

It was 6 years in the making and I finally did it! I managed to cross the finish line of my very first marathon yesterday and I couldn't be more excited. It was a beautiful day to race with temperatures starting in the mid-40s and rising to around 60 degrees by the time I finished.

As always, the IMT Des Moines Marathon races were well run and did not disappoint. To add to the fun, my parents, wife, and girls spent the day in downtown Des Moines cheering me on.

Going into the race, I was very familiar with the course. Between the Drake Relays Road Races, Des Moines half marathon and marathon relay run in previous years, I had run on all portions of the course except for about a 3 mile section from mile 15 - 18. The first 8 miles contained a few hills, but the remainder of the course was relatively flat.

Erin and the girls were waiting for me at mile 12 as we ran a loop around the blue oval at Drake Stadium. To this point, I was running well but the hills had taken a lot out of my legs. I was sticking with the 5:05 pace group but started to drop back around mile 13.

Waiting patiently with their signs

Running into Drake Stadium with the 5:05 pace group

High fives from my girls

I knew coming into the race that I would start walk-running at some point and that started after mile 13. From there I kept the same cadence for the next 7 miles until I was in Waterworks Park and saw my girls a couple of more times. 

More high fives at mile 18

More motivation just passed mile 20

At mile 20, with 10K to go, I hit a wall and my body couldn't take much more. My right hip and feet were aching and my legs felt like they were being drug through mud. I ran very little during those last few miles but managed to fight through the pain as I made my way around Gray's Lake and back up MLK towards the finish line. 

Although I didn't race well at all, in the end, I managed to cross the finish line and that was my ONLY goal going into the race. I am extremely proud of myself, not only for finishing the race but even for showing up and starting it. As my multi-sport season came to an end and I battled a foot injury in early August my heart just hasn't been in it. I had to fight through every training run and for the first time since starting on this journey 6 years ago, I didn't want to do it anymore. For that reason alone, this finish line meant so much more than any of the rest

Heading into the home stretch

2 proud parents

The cutest cheering section that I saw all day

My rock. None of this would be possible
without her. 

The silver lining in not racing well is that it provides an opportunity to learn, grow and improve. I am already looking forward to my next opportunity to tackle a full marathon. As for now, it is time for some well deserved rest and relaxation as I head into my off season. 

Check back soon for my 2019 season recap and my plans for 2020.