Am I Crazy? (Red Flannel 2025)

Would you believe that most participants in this event actually wear red flannel tops?

I went to bed February 14 prepared to compete in the YMCA Red Flannel 10K in a snowstorm with a few inches already on the ground.

Two thoughts were predominant in my mind the day before that race.

• Why am I going to do this?

• What conditions would it take to keep me from a race?

Whether to my relief or disappointment, there was no snow on the ground or falling from the sky when I got up the morning of the race. Nor did it ever arrive.

But those questions lingered in mind as I prepared for that 10K. Questions that I hope to address in this post.

Why Am I Going to Do This?

Had there been snow on the ground, my times as well as those of the other runners would have been much slower. Depending on the intensity of the storm, visibility would have also been an issue as well. Also, if the snow was truly accumulating, I'd have had to skip any socializing afterwards to get home before the roads became any messier to travel.

But this was still a race. For me, that meant no matter how challenging or even miserable, I wanted to experience it. I wanted to be able to look back on every mile, every stride where my Nikes crunched into that fluffy white on the course. I wanted to feel every flake hitting my face, even to the extent of having to look downward to keep the snow from falling into my eyes. I wanted to be part of a group of runners who defied practical logic, opting instead to forge an experience that they could look back upon with both a laugh and hint of pride.

No matter the obstacles, they would have paled in comparison to the disappointment that would have gnawed continually at me had I opted to stay home.

What Would It Take to Keep Me from Competing in a Race?

Despite my bold words, I've no desire to risk my personal safety by taking a needless risk.  Whether that’s from falling, frostbite or lightning, I have no problem forgoing a race to avoid a serious injury or worse.  This decision is also an easy one because only the most foolish of race directors would allow an event to continue under such circumstances.  Either a delay or rescheduling would occur in most instances.

However, there is another factor to this question.  I’m a competitor.  I show up at races with the intent of pushing myself. I realize that I won’t run as fast as I may want under certain conditions like extreme heat and humidity or if there are icy patches.  But if the overall conditions on that day are such that I cannot race, then there’s little reason for me to participate.

This pagoda is part of the Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens. Situated alongside the bicycle trail used by racers, the garden celebrates diversity and the contributions of Asian Americans to Iowa.

But I don't give in easy on this one. This year's Red Flannel is a prime example of that.

Assuming that it would be snowing for the race with an inch or two already on the ground, I continually checked the forecast to determine if the wind chill would be a problem.

Fortunately, the "feels like" temps were projected for the mid-teens. That wasn't bad for Des Moines in February.

My other major concern was ice - particularly if the fresh snow covered any icy patches that I wouldn't be able to see.

To address that headache, I took some time the day before the race to scout the course, noting where I saw ice so that I would be ready should it be covered in white that next day.  Fortunately, I saw only a couple of potential problem areas that would be easy to remember.

Armed with that knowledge, I had no reasons not to participate in the Red Flannel 10K.

What Happened?

Although the Wells Fargo Arena is an impressive site, if you squint, you'll see a 3-story building on the left side of this picture. That's the building where I work!

As indicated above, this all proved academic with the storm path tracking further north, giving Des Moines an unexpected break. Temps were as predicted.  The only wrinkle came when I saw that they had changed the course - negating the work I’d done the previous day.  But with the revised course now a 1.5 mile out and back, I had ample time on my warmup run to scout it for ice.

The race itself went well.  Although I could not reach the pace I’d hoped for, I avoided the temptation to start out too quickly, allowing a number of other runners to scamper ahead of me.  That strategy paid off, as I ultimately passed several of those runners, finishing sixth in a small group of 54 runners.

Reflections on the Race and the Future

Past history has taught me not to overthink the outcome of the Red Flannel.  It’s not only my first race of the year, but also one that’s susceptible to adverse weather conditions.  Frigid winds the previous year had me run a 10K at essentially the same pace as a half marathon I ran one month later.  Red Flannel truly fits the definition of a “Pre-Season” race.

The more significant question now on my mind is should I continue participating in it?

I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, but that sign was about 100 meters short.

The YMCA does a fine job putting this together so kudos to them.  At the same time, how much does this race benefit my training for more prominent races in April and May?  Would the time spent preparing for this be better served for the half marathons awaiting me in the spring?

Or is there the benefit of experiencing that first race before running a half marathon in mid-March?  And am I better off having experienced the challenges of the cold if a burst of winter hits those other races?  On a different note, I do enjoy talking with other runners while sipping on hot chocolate at the YMCA after the race.  Do I want to give that up?

All valid considerations prompted by the "Winter-Storm-That-Wasn’t.”

What are your thoughts?  Any similar experiences to share?  Let me know below or in the comments on Facebook. 

Can't argue with that!