Running: 9 Oct 2010 - Holliwell Bridge Run

Winterset is Iowa's home for covered bridges.  It is also the setting for Robert James Waller's best seller The Bridges of Madison County (& movie).  In my youth, my Dad used to coordinate the covered bridge marathon (Indianola to Winterset).  As the 70s gave way to the 80s and people had less time to spend on the "road," the race was shortened to a 5k.  (OK, I used some creative license there), but anyway the marathon is no more and has been replaced by a 5k run/walk (also coordinated by my Dad).


Today's race started and finished at Holliwell covered bridge about 3 miles south east of Winterset.  The course was on the gravel roads of Madison County unlike my usual races on pavement and probably 70 or so people showed up for the 8am start.

Now, if you know my Dad, you know he is a runner.  And if you REALLY know him and by chance grew up with him, you know he's ran on Madison county gravel roads for a long, long time.  Today's race was actually a 5.7K because Dad said he was tired of trying to make all the races work out just right.  This caused some grumbling by a few of the "die-hard" runners but the 5K spot was marked so they could clock themselves.

Madison county has some fairly decent hills and for this reason I love to taunt those who think Iowa is a flat state like Kansas.  Look at the difference in elevation on the chart above.  The first mile was a dirty little prelude to the the second.  This stretch brought some walking, but when I realized I was walking about as fast as I was running, I just continued running.

I kept a pretty good pace during the run staying out front as long as possible.  But, there are always faster rabbits than tortoises, so I kept plugging away.  The real treat was the last 3/4 of a mile.  It was all downhill.  And it was fast.  Fortunately, I kept my feet under me and crossed the bridge and finish line in 27:27 (7:44 pace) with a 3rd place in my division and an overall 9th.

All I could say to my Dad after finishing was a worn out, pained, but loving "...I hate you..."  (with a wink, smile, and a hug).  I love my Dad very much and am glad as he slows down as an aging runner, I continue to pick up pace and progress into my own personal running prime.

myk