Dam to Dam

**twojman** · 05-22-2007, 09:21 AM

I was just wondering if anyone is doing the 20K race in Des Moines on June 2nd.

Dam to Dam, Iowa's Distance Classic

I did it last year and actually enjoyed it. I am really looking to improve my time. I was at 1 hour and 44 minutes last year for an average of 8:37 per mile. I am hoping for 7:50 per mile this year.

**bleedcardinalandgold** · 05-22-2007, 09:42 AM

I've run it about 4 times and really enjoy it. It seems like I always start feeling like crap about mile 8 no matter what kind of shape I'm in.

This year I'm running the 5K.

**cmoore_23** · 05-22-2007, 09:53 AM

im going to be in maryland.. so i wont be able to do it.. i was actually thinking about doing it too.. because i never have.. maybe next year..

**frontrangeclone** · 05-22-2007, 11:33 AM

Good luck twojman.... I never did do the D2D. If you want to rip a 20K and get a PR, come out to CO and train for a a couple weeks, then go back to the ocean of oxygen in Iowa and you'll feel like Prefontaine!

**mg4cy** · 05-22-2007, 12:02 PM

I am going to run it. This is my 6 time. I enjoy dam to dam, and make sure I can do that one every year. Its a good course and a tough hill at mile 7. The live bands in the last mile are very motivating to finish strong.

**brianhos** · 05-22-2007, 01:06 PM

Originally Posted by bleedcardinalandgold

I've run it about 4 times and really enjoy it. It seems like I always start feeling like crap about mile 8 no matter what kind of shape I'm in.

This year I'm running the 5K.

That hill right before oak park is a b*tch aint it. I have done it the last 5 years, but this year I am taking it off. I will start training the week after D2D for the DSM 1/2 marathon. I am going to join the pace team for that again.

**dmclone** · 05-22-2007, 01:15 PM

I haven't did it in a few years but it was one of my favorite local races. In one year I tried to do some kind of race every weekend. It helped me train for Grandma's marathon in Duluth.

Some others I entered and were noteworthy.

Drake 1/2 marathon-I thought this was a lot harder than Dam to Dam and not nearly as fun.

Living History Farms-A lot of fun but don't expect any PR's.

Red Flannel-Perfect for fat people like myself who sweat when it's above 50.

I also did a bunch of local 5 and 10K's that were about the same.

**brianhos** · 05-22-2007, 01:56 PM

LHF is a great race, tons of fun, but it is about 10-15 min slower than your normal 10k time. If you can do that run in under an hour you are doing great.

I thought Drake 1/2 was easier than d2d, seems like there is less hills and the weather is a lot cooler. But I love the point 2 point aspect of D2D, fun looking 801 grand from the dam and thinking, that is where I am going.

Another great local race is capital pursuit, it is a 10M run, and you can set your PR's there. The last 3 miles is a nice gradual downhill from polk and ingersoll to nollen plaza.

**CyTom** · 05-22-2007, 02:24 PM

I decided to skip Dam to Dam this year and go to Hawaii instead.

I usually start training about 3 weeks before the race and then take some time off until about 3 weeks before the Bix 7 over in Davenport. Would gladly run the 12.5 miles of the dam to dam anyday over the Bix!

**dmclone** · 05-22-2007, 03:04 PM

Originally Posted by brianhos

I thought Drake 1/2 was easier than d2d, seems like there is less hills and the weather is a lot cooler. But I love the point 2 point aspect of D2D, fun looking 801 grand from the dam and thinking, that is where I am going.

Another great local race is capital pursuit, it is a 10M run, and you can set your PR's there. The last 3 miles is a nice gradual downhill from polk and ingersoll to nollen plaza.

Yeah maybe I didn't like Drake because I never felt like I knew where the end was and it felt like I was going in circles.

My 2 worst moments:

#1 Getting passed by some fat female news anchor in the last mile of Dam to Dam. I at least beat the governor.

#2 From about mile 5-15 of Grandma's I would keep getting passed by the same guy over and over. I soon realized that every couple of miles he would be standing on the side of the road smoking and then when he was done he would eventually pass me.

Yeah I'm slow.

**dmclone** · 05-22-2007, 03:07 PM

Dam to Dam-Back in 99' I was 220lbs(not muscle) and I ran it in 1:54.

Today I'd be lucky just to finish.

**brianhos** · 05-22-2007, 03:14 PM

Originally Posted by dmclone

Yeah maybe I didn't like Drake because I never felt like I knew where the end was and it felt like I was going in circles.

My 2 worst moments:

#1 Getting passed by some fat female news anchor in the last mile of Dam to Dam. I at least beat the governor.

#2 From about mile 5-15 of Grandma's I would keep getting passed by the same guy over and over. I soon realized that every couple of miles he would be standing on the side of the road smoking and then when he was done he would eventually pass me.

Yeah I'm slow.

Your slow? We should run together, took me 4:30 to do my first marathon, and well my second, lets just say it was 92 degrees out, it did not go so well.

I passed Vilsack with 3 miles to go on the 2005 Drake 1/2. I figured he would be running with a bodyguard or something, he was out there all alone.

On a positive note, for all you runners: Stadium in Ankeny has really cool Under Armour running tanks with ISU logos screened on them. I got a really nice one for my bday, I cannot wait to try it out.