Training for Two Races in the Same Weekend

Take the challenge, the I-35 Challenge if you dare.  The Kansas City Sports Commission has teamed up with the IMT Des Moines Marathon to create the I-35 Challenge.  Runners can participate in the Waddell & Reed Kansas City Marathon on Saturday, October 18 then drive north on I-35 and participate in the IMT Des Moines Marathon on Sunday, October 19. The races have been on the same weekend for eight years with Kansas City on Saturday and Des Moines on Sunday.

Participants have two running experiences to pick from.  They can run the full marathon in Kansas City and then the full marathon in Des Moines or they can run the half marathon in each city creating one full marathon.  Participants must first register for each event then register for the I-35 Challenge for a minimal fee of $20.  Everyone who registers for the I-35 Challenge will receive a special shirt in Kansas City and a special medal after crossing the finish line in Des Moines.  Participants will also wear a special bib at both races.  In addition to the special I-35 Challenge shirt and medal, participants will also receive a race shirt and medal for each race, which will add up to three shirts and three medals when the weekend ends.

But how to train?

The first thing you should do according to Jeff Galloway, Official Training Consultant for the IMT Des Moines Marathon, is prepare a strategy. Plan the weekend out in advance so you can limit surprises.

Establish your goal for the I-35 Challenge weekend. If this is the first time you are attempting to complete two races in two days, it may simply be to complete both races. Next, realize that it is okay to have separate objectives for each race if it will help you reach your goal. Jeff advises people participating in multi-race weekend events to incorporate walk breaks into the first race. "Many runners have recorded personal records in the marathon when they mostly walked on Saturday."

For more information on Jeff Galloway's run/walk/run training programs and ratios visit desmoinesmarathon.com and click on Training.

You will want to be sure to increase hydration and fueling during training and race weekend. Make sure to reload carbohydrates and protein within 30-45 minutes of finishing the race on Saturday. Purchase items ahead of time and have them readily available for consumption in the car as you travel to Des Moines. Eat throughout the day and avoid fattier foods that will be difficult for the body to digest.

If you don't consume carbohydrates during races, you may want to consider incorporating it into your training this summer. Energy gels or chews can be a great way to fuel the body and replace low blood sugar levels. There are a variety of products and flavors on the market today. A general rule of thumb is 15 minutes before the start of the race and then every 45 minutes after. 

Registration is open for both events and the challenge. To register for the Waddell & Reed Kansas City Marathon click here, to register for the IMT Des Moines Marathon click here and to register for the I-35 Challenge click here.