Capital Pursuit 2023

It was a quick turn around from the Gateway Challenge Triathlon last weekend to the Capital Pursuit this weekend, but I was ready to go. The Capital Pursuit is one of the oldest races in the Des Moines metro and is put on by the Capital Striders running club. There was a 10 mile and 5k option for the race and I opted for the 10 mile as it fit nicely in my half marathon training program. 

I set my alarm for 6:30am, which is really late for me, but was awake before it even went off. After getting changed I headed out on a half mile walk to wake myself up and then enjoyed a banana and bagel as a prerace breakfast. Traffic was light as I headed for downtown, and since it was a small race, there was plenty of parking near by so I got a spot just 3 blocks from the starting line. 

I quickly found my friend, Adam, and we hung out until it was time to line up. I had taken time to review the race results from the past several years and knew that I would be one of the last finishers, so I lined up at the back of the pack. After the national anthem played, we were off!

At the 1 mile mark, I was indeed in last place as the sweeper was hanging out just behind me. As happens in most races, everyone went out really fast but I tried to hold back a bit. I managed to pass a few people during mile 2 as we went through Grey's Lake Park. The park was super busy for a Sunday morning. We entered Water Works Park just before mile 3 and the crossed the pedestrian bridge over the river for a run through the woods. With so few racers around me and a lot of other people using the trails, it often felt more like a training run then a race. 

I kept a really good pace through the first 5 miles. My target pace was 12:30, which would give me a finish time of 2:05. I ran 10 miles in 2:07 last weekend so I felt that I may be able to go even faster. My 5 mile time was 58:17 so I was well ahead of pace and feeling pretty good. It is at mile 5 that I decided to see if I could push and beat 2 hours. Mile 6 began just south of Greenwood-Ashworth Park and was almost entirely up hill. It slowed me down a bit but I felt really strong the whole way. 

I've done so many races that the miles spent on Park and Kingman I already know like the back of my hand. The hills heading south on 28th to Grand were a little unexpected but I executed well on them also. As I turned onto Grand, I had just 1 mile remaining and shortly I found Adam who had circled back after finishing to find me. He ran the last 3/4 mile with me and I was grateful to have the company because my legs were really starting to feel it. As the clock at the finish line came into view I got excited to see it just crossing the 1:59 mark. I stepped on the gas for the last 100 yards and crossed with an official time of 1:59:23!

Adam running with me to the finish line

Finishing sub-2 hours

Garmin provided me all the data I could ever want

I was a little disappointed when I crossed the finish line and was told they had just run out of finisher medals. Lucky for them, even though I really like collecting medals for the memories, I'm in it for a lot more than that. Erin and the girls had come downtown after church to see me finish and it was great to see them. I quickly helped myself to Abigail's chair in the shade for a few minutes before taking some pictures and heading for home. 

Trying my hardest to get up

Adam makes me a better runner

My biggest cheerleaders

What a confidence builder this race was going into the IMT Des Moines Half Marathon in a few weeks. I was originally hesitant to sign up but am sure glad that I did. The race was both a physical and mental challenge and I can say that I raced harder than I have all year. My legs had very little left to give after crossing the finish line (I'm sort of dreading my run tomorrow morning). The best part though, I'm starting to see glimmers of my previous self except even better. 

Next up, the John Deere 5k next Saturday at Des Moines Works in Ankeny!