Upcoming Races

I have a lot of great updates to make including a race recap of my very first 10K. Spoiler it was awesome and the Men of Women Rock: were HANDSOME!

But if anyone is interested in joining me on some of my future events these are the races I have signed up for to round out the next couple of months:

DSM Diva Dash Saturday September 14th 8:30 a.m. East Village Des Moines

The Brew mile  Saturday September 28th 4:15 p.m. Downtown Des Moines

Susan G Komen Race for the Cure  Saturday October 26th 9 a.m. Downtown Des Moines

Halloween Hot Chocolate Run Sunday November 2nd 9 a.m. Downtown Des Moines

Comparison Post

2/13/13

8/3/13

What a difference 6 months has made! Laura and I looking pretty refreshed even after our runs!

Emily Turns 7

This is actually an old shot of Noelle but I think it perfectly captures her spirit I had to post it.

Drew is getting so BIG. 

We took a series of selfies because my Dad are original photographer couldn't figure out my phone.

The Birthday Girl!!!!

Run for Reading

Dallas had to be in our cousin pic!

Sisters! I made her do this selfie so I could compare it to our other race selfie from February.

Noelle was hiding...

Then she decided to let us see her!

Dallas's face! I love how serious he can get right as I take the photo

He wanted one of just him!

Emily took one of us showing off our medals. Dallas is wearing Laura's.

We were all winners! Everyone placed in their age divisions. Cousins dominated the award ceremony!

Staring directly into the sun, showing off our winners medals.

Was he eating it?

Noelle, Emily, Dallas, Laura and Grandma F

Noelle, Emily, Dallas, Laura and Grandma F (she didn't mind that we didn't shower before visiting)

Another Cousin plus Dallas pic!

The Run for Reading race was the best ever! Ever! Not only did I get run with all my favorite family members but the weather was perfect, it was for a great cause Clarence Library fund, and I WON 1st place in my age division. This was kind of a pipe dream for the bucket list. I think I got lucky and all the 20-29 year olds were playing in the softball turnament rather than running that morning. But I had a personal best. My watch was stopped at 30:13 (new PB) and I ran the 1st mile in 9:16, the fastest I have ever run a mile. It was amazing getting to see everyone. I don't get to that side of the state nearly often enough. Thank you so much Sue for being an amazing host! Can't wait to do it again next year.

4th of July Run

 I have been trying to complete at least one 5K each month since February. Ever since then I have been trying to run a race on an actual holiday. I kept looking in vain for St Patrick's day, after I couldn't find a 5K for that (Des Moines only had a 10K) I tried to find a local Memorial Day race, no dice. I was determined to find a 4th of July race. I knew lots of the smaller towns around the area had them but the first one I could find registration information for was the Waukee Boy Scout Troop 178 fun run. It was a relatively small race, about 150 runners between the 5K and the kids mile race. I was really hoping to get a personal best because the course would be less crowded and the weather was perfect for running, not to hot hardly any wind. Everyone lined up looked like serious runners, I couldn't spot any walkers in the crowd. I chatted up one girl wearing Dam to Dam shorts- she saw I was wearing my Dam to Dam tank top, she was a pretty serious runner she had completed the 20K dam to dam but it was nice to get to talk to someone while waiting to race, especially because it didn't start on time. There was a girls high school cross country team running "for practice" they pretty much blew away the field and racked up the under 19 awards. The annoucer said the course was a bit short so everyone should expect a personal best (bonus! I will take it even though it wasn't a true 5K)

Once the race started I was astounded how fast the crowd was. People where taking off in full sprints. I tend to start to fast but settle into a good pace by 1/2 mile. But this crowd was going FAST. I knew I shouldn't even try to keep up them so I quickly stopped trying to pace myself with anyone else and just run my own race. Unfortunately this meant I was alone for most of the race, not that this is the worst thing, it just doesn't help me push myself very well. Ran my first mile in 9:46, the fastest I have ever done in a race.

The Boy Scouts where all over the course. Their job was stand at every intersection and turn to ensure you went the right way. Most of them where teenagers, the ones standing alone were better cheerers, they actually clapped and said good job, but the ones with a friend where often just on their phones texting and would look up every once and while to point in the right direction. Still since there weren't any spectators on the course it was nice to have someone say good job. Especially since although I knew I was running a really good race I couldn't see the pack of the rest of the runners.

The last mile was a bit rough- uphill, a boys cross country team must have just been practicing and passed me with what I felt was a blistering pace, and I had to run right past some gross road kill, where were those boy scouts when I needed them? I started to kick it into gear once I could see the school. My watch was telling me a could get a new record time! Finished with 31.09 (a personal best and 3rd in my age division, only 3 women in my age division finished but still I take top 3 finishes anywhere I can get them)

There were lots and lots of door prizes I stayed hoping the would hand out awards for the top 3 in each division but they only did top finishers, didn't even get a door prize but I enjoyed my fruit!

Race Ready

I ended up with such a low bib number I think I must have been one of the very first people to sign up!

8 races complete

Greenbelt Trail

One of favorite parts of living in the Des Moines area would be the extensive trail system. If you are patient enough to learn how to read the confusing trail maps and don't mind going to multiple city website you can get almost any where in Des Moines by Trail. I live in West Des Moines, but I am boarding both Waukee and Clive. I tend to take the Clive Greenbelt trail a lot. Here are some pics of my favorite areas.

There are often these picturesque bridges off the trail and into neighborhoods. These one leads towards Hickman in the rich, rich Clive section. (the houses are huge)

Beautiful views (lots of bugs when it rains)

All of these pictures were taken on a bike ride and I thought the view from my basket was pretty impressive.

I often run on these stretch. It is near 128th street if you now West Des Moines/Clive. 

The house that this little candy shop? sits in the back yard of is for sale. Does anyone want to buy a 4 bedroom with an indoor/outdoor pool and these adorable little candy playhouse in the backyard? I love it because when I can see it I know I am done running!