5/12 - Market to Market Relay Race

In the second annual Market to Market Relay Race in Iowa, my father and some of his neighborhood running buddies teamed up to encounter the 75-mile journey through the farmlands of Central Iowa and downtown Des Moines. The team also participated in last year’s race and finished in 12^th place out of 205 teams in. This year, the Benders Buddies team ran to a 23^rd place out of the larger field of 263.

The team ran in the memory of Mike Bender, a highly-respected runner in the Des Moines area who lost his battle with cancer earlier this year.

The Bender Buddies team relaxes and poses for a team photo in the transition area in Ortonville, Iowa. 

Brad Nielsen looks on while he warms up for a stage in Ortonville, Iowa. 

Andy Roats finishes up his stage and passes the baton to Tim Schott in Ortonville, Iowa. 

The Bender Buddies team walk to the transition area in Waukee, Iowa. 

Tim Schott strides down the Raccoon River Valley Trail in Stage 13. 

The Bender Buddies discuss running strategies in Waukee, Iowa. 

Jeff Farrell receives the baton from Brad Nielsen at the start of Stage 14 in Clive, Iowa. 

Tom Heuer pushes for the finishing kick after a rain storm in Ashworth Park in Des Moines, Iowa. 

Mike Gould takes off for the beginning of Stage 16 on the Bill Riley Trail in Des Moines, Iowa. 

Mike Gould and Andy Roats team up for the Group Finish across the Union Railroad Bridge over the Des Moines River in downtown. 

The Bender Buddies team runs together in the home stretch of the 75-mile relay race in downtown Des Moines.  

The Bender Buddies teammates (From L to R) Andy Roats, Tom Heuer, Mike Gould, Jeff Farrell, Tim Schott and David Courtad pose for a team photo at the end. The team ran the race in the memory of Mike Bender. 

4/22 - I-Cubs Rock Round Rock in 10-3 Victory

Cubs starter Eric Jokisch pitches during the first inning against the Express at Principal Park. 

Cubs shortstop Javier Baez looks on during the first inning against the Express at Principal Park. 

Cubs second baseman Arismendy Alcantara makes a throw to first base during the first inning against the Express at Principal Park. 

The Cubs' Arismendy Alcantara is all smiles as he rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the first inning against the Express at Principal Park. 

The Cubs' Arismendy Alcantara laughs with Javier Baez after hitting a home run in the first inning during the first inning against the Express at Principal Park. 

Cubs starter Eric Jokisch pitches during the third inning against the Express at Principal Park. 

The Cubs' Javier Baez follows through on his RBI single during the fourth inning against the Express at Principal Park. 

The Cubs' Chris Coghlan rips a two-run double down the first-base line during the fifth inning against the Express at Principal Park. 

Cubs right fielder Chris Coghlan makes an awkward catch before crashing into the wall during the sixth inning against the Express at Principal Park. 

The Cubs' outfielders celebrate Iowa's 10-3 victory over the Express at Principal Park. 

4/17 - Despite Errors, I-Cubs Hang On For Win

Cubs manager Marty Pevey talks with a young fan before the game at Principal Park. 

The Cubs' Carlos Pimentel hands the first-pitch baseballs to the kids who threw them out before the game at Principal Park. 

Cubs starter Erick Joksich pitches against the Zephyrs during the first inning at Principal Park. 

Cubs first baseman Chris Valaika fields a ground ball during the third inning at Principal Park. 

The Cubs' Arismendy Alcantara hits an RBI triple during the third inning at Principal Park. 

The Cubs' Matt Szczur scores during the third inning at Principal Park. 

Cubs shortstop Logan Watkins attempts but cannot catch an erratic throw during the fifth inning at Principal Park. 

The Cubs' Logan Watkins singles on a bunt during the fifth inning at Principal Park. 

The Cubs' Javier Baez looks on during the sixth inning at Principal Park. 

Cubs shortstop Logan Watkins catches a ball during the seventh inning at Principal Park. 

Cubs reliever Alberto Cabrera pitches against the Zephyrs during the seventh inning at Principal Park. 

Cubs reliever Alberto Cabrera jokes around with Cubs third baseman Christian Villanueva between the top and bottom of the seventh inning at Principal Park. 

Cubs reliever Neil Ramirez pitches against the Zephyrs during the eighth inning at Principal Park. 

Cubs third baseman Christian Villanueva makes an off-balance throw to first base during the ninth inning at Principal Park.

4/16 - I-Cubs Beats Zephyrs in Windy Principal Park

Cubs third baseman Chris Valaika stands during the National Anthem before the game against the Zephyrs at Principal Park. 

Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks eyes the batter before his pitch during the first inning against the Zephyrs at Principal Park. 

The Cubs' Josh Vitters hist an RBI double during the first inning against the Zephyrs at Principal Park. 

The Cubs' Logan Watkins celebrates his solo home run with teammates during the second inning against the Zephyrs at Principal Park. 

The Cubs' Chris Coghlan slides into second base for a double during the third inning against the Zephyrs at Principal Park. 

The Cubs' Josh Vitters hits a long drive to left field during the third inning against the Zephyrs at Principal Park. 

The Cubs' Arismendy Alcantara slices a two-run triple into right-center during the seventh inning against the Zephyrs at Principal Park. 

The Cubs' Arismendy Alcantara runs toward third base for a triple during the seventh inning against the Zephyrs at Principal Park. 

Cubs reliever Marcus Mateo delivers a pitch during the eighth inning against the Zephyrs at Principal Park. 

Cubs closer Brian Schlitter pitches during the ninth inning against the Zephyrs at Principal Park. ::Cue some patriotic song:: 

Cubs manager Marty Pevey chats with a young fan after the game against the Zephyrs at Principal Park. Iowa won the game, 6-3. 

4/10 - Baez's Homer and Hendricks' Strong Outing Lift Cubs Past Sounds

Cubs manager Marty Pevey jokes around with Sounds manager Rick Sweet before the game at Principal Park. 

Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks preps for the first pitch during the first inning against the Sounds at Principal Park in front of the Iowa Capitol building. 

Cubs pitcher Kyle Hendricks delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Sounds at Principal Park. 

Cubs outfielder Matt Szczur steals second base during the sixth inning against the Sounds at Principal Park. 

The Cubs' Javy Baez smashes a two-run home run during the sixth inning against the Sounds at Principal Park. 

The Cubs' Javier Baez admires his two-run home run during the sixth inning against the Sounds at Principal Park. 

The Cubs' Josh Vitters rounds third base to score during the sixth inning against the Sounds at Principal Park. 

Cubs second baseman Arismendy Alcantara fields a ground ball and throws to first base during the seventh inning against the Sounds at Principal Park. 

The Cubs' Matt Szczur hits a single during the eighth inning against the Sounds at Principal Park. 

The Cubs' Arismendy Alcantara rounds third base and scores during the eighth inning against the Sounds at Principal Park. 

The Cubs' Josh Vitters celebrates with teammates after scoring during the eighth inning against the Sounds at Principal Park. 

Cubs closer Blake Parker makes a funny face and delivers a pitch during the ninth inning against the Sounds at Principal Park. 

The Cubs' Javier Baez celebrates with teammates after the Cubs defeated the Sounds, 5-1.