Des Moines Marathon recap

I will get right to the point. I finished 11th and ran it in 2:38:08. I feel good with the time considering the accelerated training plan I was forced to do afer being sick and forced to the sidelines four weeks prior. I started out feeling good (of course) and ran the first half in 1:17:20, which was a little faster than I wanted to run, considering my shape. I was able to keep the same pace until about mile 19, and then started to slow a bit once I hit some windy sections. I ran the second half in 1:20:48, so I slowed down some, but not that bad. I ran by myself the entire race, except for the three people I passed in the last two miles. I wish there were more people that run in no-mans-mid-2:30's-land. After finishing I went to the beer tent and rehydrated.

On another note, my brother also ran, placed 23rd overall, and ran a new PR in 2:46:30. He would have been even faster, but he got a hamstring cramp at mile 25, and had to stop at a medical tent for three minutes to get it worked out enough to jog to the finish. He was running really well and was only 2 minutes, 20 seconds behind me at mile 20. A very impressive run and finish. It shows that his training is paying off.

I won't be able to rest this week as I have to continue to get into shape for the upcoming JFK 50-miler. The fun is just beginning!

Iowa bound!

Leaving today for the land of corn fields to visit my grandma and family and run in the Des Moines Marathon on Sunday. I've put in an excellerated schedule of miles the past three weeks in preparation, since I was sick and couldn't run much. I feel like I am about four weeks out from being in PR shape, but I do feel like I will be able to run 6-minute pace. This race will be a crucial building block in preparation for the JFK 50 miler.

Track me in the marathon at this link: Track Bob Adams

Can't wait to see the family farm. It has been way too long. Hope everyone has a good weekend of training, racing or recovering. I will have a full recap when I get back early next week.