Today was the first annual Clarendon Day 10K run. This race used to be known as the Battle of the Boulevard and it started in Clarendon, went down the huge hill into Rosslyn, turned, and then came back up the hill. Now, the race goes down the big hill, goes farther down the highway at the bottom, and ends just a small ways up the hill in Rosslyn. I expected to have a huge PR since I wasn’t going to have to go back up the hill.
I wanted to get in 10 miles today, so I planned to run a mile warm up, race, and then run back to my house from the end of the race. Pretty much the mother of all tempo runs.
I woke up late, but managed to head out of my house about 18 minutes before the start of the race. I did a comfortable 1.3 mile warm up, hit the portapotty, and lined up. I’m always conservative about where I start and this was definitely a race where I was too conservative. I usually hit the first two miles on this route around an 8:00 minute pace. Today my first mile was 8:27 and the second was 8:31. My legs were feeling weird, plus there were a ton of slow people running three and four across. Since they started the 5K and the 10K at the same time, I had figured there would be a lot of fast 5Kers near the front. Instead, it appeared that there were a lot of newer runners slowing things down.
The remaining four miles were hilly and windy, but I maintained a comfortable, even pace for the most part (8:47, 8:55, 8:58, 9:03). The last .2 of the race is uphill. I tried to pick up my pace, but only barely managed it (garmin says I averaged 8:50 for that part). I turned the final corner and was 20 yards from the finish. I wanted to sprint. Oh, how I wanted to sprint. Instead, it was all I could do to maintain my pace and not puke before the line. I can’t wait for the finish line pictures. I’m betting this may be my worst ever LOL. I finish in 54:48, which is exactly my previous PR! Next year I WILL run the downhill faster and get under 54 minutes!
After the race, I ran/walked another 2.5 miles home. I had to go back up the hill we came down, so my miles were REALLY REALLY slow. I was starving that whole time. There was water at the end of the race, but as far as I could tell, the food was back up at the start line. I think they had shuttle buses back to the start, but I needed to run the mile and a half and by the time I got up there, I was only a mile from home and just went home. I ate a banana, dropped a nuun tablet into my water bottle, and took a quick shower.
Then we headed back out to Clarendon for the festival. So, I ran a total of 10 miles and walked another 2 today. I think I need to head to bed.
Oh, I hate it when you know you could be faster but other runner are holding you back! But you did great anyway! And thanks for your comments on my blog!
Meeting your PR is impressive! It sounds like a very good option for a 'tempo' run.
Nice job on the 10 mile total, and that 10K time rocks!
That is quite a tempo run, great job!
An exact match to a previous PR? Wow.
I call the slow pokes "obstacles." Darn them for getting in your way! Great job despite the obstacles.
Still a pretty good time, sister!Congrats!
It's a challenge knowing where to start in races nowadays. Even if there are corrals, I see people jumping corrals forward/backward, etc. and walkers starting out with the runners. I just try to be patient and focus on not tripping or running into anyone until I can break away into my own little space.That is a great 10K time! 🙂
nice job! We got boxed in a little too the other weekend at the 10k – but I decided it was kind of fun to weave around slow people 🙂 Frustrating though when you're going for a PR – nice work though meeting your previous PR! Especially when you're trying not to puke 😉
Nicely done!! Congrats 🙂
nice job on the run today! you did great!
Very nice paces! Congrats 😀
That's a big day! Nice job on the race. I hate 10k's!
Congrats on TYING your PR! Too funny that it was bang on!
Nice work! Sounds like a fun day! 🙂
I feel so silly…I was seeing all these folks w/ the Battle of the Boulevard t-shirt over the past week and wondering where the race was and how strange it was that SO many people had run it. Duh. I was running on Custis trail RIGHT next to Claredon. I'm just impressed that you got to the start w/in 18 minutes!