Woke Tuesday & thought: BONUS marathon (doesn’t everyone? 🙂 )
Deadline to enter the Des Moines Marathon was Wednesday. Next thought: What to do in Iowa?
Slept on it & woke with a plan. Iowa would be all about the journey – an all-Midwest adventure! I’d travel to Des Moines via bus (to Denver), overnight train (to Omaha, Nebraska), then rental car 2 hours across Western Iowa. Perfect!
2 short runs on Wednesday & Thursday would be the only prep I could fit in – always lose a few days after marathoning (letting muscles & joints heal). Have learned to listen to my body after a full year of 26.2 race days.
Had never been to Denver’s Union Station previously – what a surprise! Unbeknownst to me, a major renovation occurred over the past 2 years – what a beautiful station! Additionally, Denver’s night life was a-happening. Lotta laughter & hand holding as I passed couples walking to some of Denver’s finest restaurants. Super impressed – go Denver!
Train conductors, comfortable seating, polite conversation, leg room, no baggage fees, no security scanners, a dining car. Riding Amtrak is like going back in time – when humans were kinder. LOVE LOVE train travel. Wish the U.S. would greatly expand our railways. I’m telling ya – if you haven’t travelled by train, you’re missing out.
Plugged in my phone (yep, that’s also possible on train) & woke 7 hours later in Lincoln – an hour from my train destination.
Taxi to the airport (to pick up a rental car), breakfast, 5 minutes later…I’m in Iowa.
An hour into the drive, detoured down a rural highway to take in the scenery. Early morning grass was still wet with heavy dew. Cornfields, farmhouses, brightly colored silos – reminiscent of Waller’s Bridges of Madison County. Truly blessed.
Discovering there’s unique beauty in each of my 50 state marathon destinations.
Race packet pick-up at the Iowa Events Center, then spent a couple hours exploring the State Historical Museum & State Capitol Building. Iowans are proud of their John Deere tractors – ‘nuf said ‘bout the museum. The Capitol Dome however was fascinating. Saturday was probably the ideal day to explore – no bureaucrats 🙂
2 hour nap, quick shower, then off to Carlisle Iowa where I had VIP tickets to a local production of Dracula – performed at historic Randleman House, a “found space” production.
A found space is a nontheatrical space — the rotunda of the state capitol, a church, warehouse, courtroom, carpenters shop – which is used for production. Typically the space is chosen because of its context to the play: Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar at the capitol, The Passion Play in a church, Inherit the Wind in a courtroom.
2 hour original production (currently unpublished), poetry reading during intermission and dinner – all proceeds supporting Des Moines’ local arts scene. FUN night! Conversed with many – including Carlisle’s mayor, the play’s director, playwright & cast members. Thanks Mary Sue for creating such a special night before my 13th marathon!
What to do in Iowa? Think I found my answer. YIKES – only 6 hours sleep before race time!
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