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Building the Perfect Racing Calendar

Writer's picture: rickdmoorerickdmoore
That finish line at the Bix 7 always seems closer than it really is!
That finish line at the Bix 7 always seems closer than it really is!

It’s January 17, 2025.  Do you know your racing calendar for this year?  Which races will you run this summer?  What about your first race?  Will it be in March?  February?  Dare I say, January?  What about your final race?  Do you call it a year with a November race?  Or do you venture further into the Holiday season?


Is this really all that important?


You bet your Garmin watches they are! Having a successful year of running does not happen by accident. Obviously, training is an essential component. But often overlooked is the value of a carefully developed Racing Calendar that allows you the opportunity to meet your goals with what you race and when you do it.


For example, my running year is essentially two "mini seasons" - one in the spring with the other in the fall. Both have two key races where I hope to have my best performances. From there, other runs find their way onto my calendar for various reasons that I'll describe below.


Building the Perfect Racing Calendar


Step One - Follow the Ground Rules

With the desired outcome of being healthy for each race, I steadfastly adhere to these Ground Rules.

  1. No more than 4 half marathons per year.  This is wise guidance from my running coach, Timothy Ives (The Body Project) that protects me from myself.

  2. No races in January or August.  Since most of my races tend to cluster into the spring and fall, my body needs some breaks for recovery.  With the Bix 7 occurring the last Saturday in July and Sycamore 8 the first Saturday in December, not scheduling races for the following month provides time to ease back a bit and recharge.

  3. One Day of Recovery for Each Mile Raced.  Another pearl of wisdom from Coach Ives. This means no races until my body is truly ready.


Wish I didn't have to choose between this one and the Drake Half Marathon.
Wish I didn't have to choose between this one and the Drake Half Marathon.

Step Two - Start with the Tentpole Races

The IMT Des Moines Half Marathon in October, the Bix 7 in late July and either the Drake or Eugene Half Marathon in late April make up my "Tentpole Races."  Given their higher profile and overall competitiveness, these races are the ones where I hope to have my best performances.  (I have to add that since my wife participates at the Bix 7 and has since long before I met her, maintaining domestic bliss also ensures that this race remains on my calendar!)


Step Three - Schedule Key Training Races

If I want to achieve my goals at the Tentpole races, I need to be fully prepared.  Part of that is having at least one race that gets me ready for both the distance and conditions I’m likely to face.  That’s where the St. Paddy’s Half Marathon, Midnight Madness and Capital Pursuit come in.  Scheduled for mid-March, St. Paddy’s provides an excellent opportunity to experience a 13.1-mile race at least one month before either Eugene or Drake. On a similar note, If I can run a 10K in the evening heat of July at Midnight Madness, I’m ready for the humidity and temps on the shores of the Mississippi River in Davenport, Iowa where the Bix 7 takes place.  Likewise, the 10-miles of the competitive Cap Pursuit serve as an excellent “primer” for the IMT Des Moines Half Marathon three weeks later in mid-October.


Step Four- Support Your Local Running Club

Consider this a “win-win.”  Both the Loop the Lake 8k in early April and Sycamore 8 in early December are put on by the Capital Striders - an outstanding running club based in Des Moines.  I say that not only as a member, but because they simply know how to put on quality races. As a result, both Loop the Lake and Sycamore 8 always find their way onto my racing calendar. (Cap Pursuit is also another one of their races.)


This is me signing up for the Red Flannel Run each year, hoping for nice weather in mid-February.
This is me signing up for the Red Flannel Run each year, hoping for nice weather in mid-February.

Step Five - Roll the Dice

Remember Charlie Brown and Lucy with the football?  That’s me with the Red Flannel Run.  It’s a race in the middle of Iowa in the middle of February in the middle of winter.  Yet I sign up for it each year, hoping against hope that the weather will be warm and pleasant.  And like poor Charlie Brown, I tumble - only into snow, ice and wicked wind chills.  Of course I’ve signed up again for this chiller next month.


Step Six - There’s Always Room for Pie!

After all the work that goes into running the IMT Des Moines Half Marathon, I deserve a treat.  Or so I say to myself.  That translates into signing up for the Hillbilly Hike 10K in Carlisle, just 20 minutes south of Des Moines in early November.  Although they offer a half marathon as well, with just a couple weeks following the IMT, my tired legs much prefer a six-mile race along the flat, scenic trails before rewarding myself with a tasty piece of pumpkin pie!  (And don’t tell anyone about this race!  I want to make sure there's enough pie left over to snag a second piece for my wife.)


Step Seven - Set the Alarm Uber-Early

My first "mini-season" ends with the EMC Dam-to-Des Moines Half Marathon. It's another well-organized event with several thousand runners. But the one drawback to this early June event is that in order to start at 7 am at the Saylorville Dam, we’re boarding buses just after five am and for me, getting up around 3 am.  Once I’ve used that free beer tag on my bib, I’m ready for a morning nap!


Step Eight - Be Open to Changes

Like it or not, life can happen. Family events or injuries can short-circuit any race ("Can't your uncle - who was like a father to you - pick another day to celebrate his 100th birthday?"). There are also "acts of God" where weather causes cancellations or rescheduling. And let's hope we can avoid any more global pandemics for at least another decade.

 

Summary

Now that I’ve shared my assessment of my Racing Calendar, I’d like your thoughts.  Do you plan out a racing calendar?  If so, what criteria do you use in determining your races?  Let me know your thoughts below or on Facebook.



Me and just a few other runners awaiting the start of the Dam-to-Des Moines Half Marathon.
Me and just a few other runners awaiting the start of the Dam-to-Des Moines Half Marathon.

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2 comentarios


Must be fun putting a lot of thought into the calendar. Are there any events that you regret skipping?

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Hi Stephen!

Excellent question! Although I run essentially every race in Iowa that I want to compete in, I do regret not exploring other options in other states. I'm hoping to do more of that when I retire in a few years. The one race I do miss is the Fueled by Fine Wine in the Dundee area. However, the race I miss was with a different race director who stepped down 5 years ago. I ran it once under the new group and - at least for that year - it just wasn't the same event. I may have to try it again in the future.

Thanks for asking and hope that you're doing well!

Rick

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