GW Parkway Classic
April 23, 2017
1:36:13
Temp: High 40s to low 50s
What I wore: visor, tank top, a half zip, a Skirt Sports Happy Girl, compression socks, and Altra Ones
This was my goal race for the season. I knew I wouldn’t PR, but I wanted to run a sub-10 pace. I worked hard in February and March to pick up the pace and did really well on some early season races. But then April happened and I added distance and I stopped doing speedwork. After last weekend’s half marathon with a 10:25ish pace, I figured my goal was unlikely.
The weather forecasts went from bad to worse and back again over the last few days. Finally, it moved from mid-40s and rainy to high 40s and cloudy. That was something I could work with, sort of. High 40s are right on the long sleeve line for me and I changed my mind about a million times about what I would wear. In the end, I decided on a long sleeve half zip with a tank underneath. A friend picked me up for the race and we caught a bus – for the longest bus ride ever. (The driver actually circled National Airport twice. Why? I don’t know.) Finally we did make it to the race, we killed an hour with stops at the porta potty, and we headed out to run.
I went out faster than planned in the first mile. I told myself to slow down. So, I went faster in the second mile. And then the third. I eventually just figured I’d run hard until I blew up. Mile 6 was the fastest of the race (and nearly a minute faster than goal.) Despite that I was able to turn and smile at a friend as I ran.
Each mile I was convinced I’d need to slow down, but I kept on going. Finally, at the beginning of mile 9, I started feeling worn out. But I kept pushing, despite two good sized hills. When the finish line came into view, I tried to pick up the pace, but I pretty much had nothing left. In the end, I managed 1:3613, nearly 4 minutes faster than my goal and a 9:38 pace!
The good:
- The weather ended up being PERFECT for running.
- I love this course. It has rolling hills for the first 6 or so miles and then just a couple of hills near the end.
- Hitting my goal without puking (it was close at the end.)
- Running into tons of friends.
- The heat sheets Pacers gives out at the START of the race since I forgot to take my throwaway shirt.
The bad:
- Stomach issues around mile 6, but nothing requiring stopping.
- Being just *slightly* overdressed.
The ugly:
- This was an “ugly free” race. Amazing!
Would I run this race again?
I love this course. It’s one of the best races in the area. It’s a bit of a pain to get to the start (it’s a point to point), but it’s a very well organized process. It’s definitely one that I will continue to run or volunteer at in the future.
I’m linking up with HoHo and Tricia for the Weekly Recap. Stop by and check out their blogs and then check out a few in the linkup!
Great job and great pace!
Well done! And what a great time too!
#BOWSDOWNTOYOUbeingFASTERthangoal!!!!!!
<3
Thanks. 😉
Yay! I’m so sorry I missed you. I only saw a few people I knew at the start – despite being in the MRTT photo, and only found Sue at the finish. Conditions really were perfect yesterday!! My only “complaint” this year is that the monuments depicted on the medal have nothing to do with this race. I’d rather have the Old Town logo from the shirt.
I missed the photo because the porta potty lines were too long. I saw a few people at the start and a few at the finish, but very few MRTT friends.
Best race recap I’ve read all weekend! Yes! Don’t you love when it just happens? Congrats.
I’ve had a really good racing spring – now I need to just keep up the momentum as I pick up the mileage. (Pretty much where I usually stop pushing the pace on any run…)
Wow! You certainly improved your pace. Congrats.
Thanks, I worked hard this spring to get there. I’m still amazed that I succeeded LOL.
Okay, so I definitely ran next to you during the race and didn’t realize it was you! Once I saw your skirt photo I knew it, and that’s my back in your picture with the pink Orange Mud pack lol! Congratulations on your race – you were one of many that kept me motivated!
Oh my goodness, that is too funny!
Great job! It’s wonderful to have those runs where you think you need to slow down, but your body’s good at the faster pace.
I was surprised I could hold that pace for that long. It was a nice surprise. 😉
I can’t believe I’ve never run it! Congrats on a great race
You should! It’s an awesome race!
Yay for a great race and beating your goal!
Thanks!
WTG! Although even I, who hates to be cold, was wondering at a tank & a long sleeve top! It’s so hard to dress in transitional weather. I’m trying to figure it out for myself for this weekend.
Wow. Everything came together perfectly for you to crush that goal! You hard work definitely paid off. You should be proud. Ugly free races feel amazing! The medal is very nice, although I’m not a big fan of the gray race shirt. Thanks for linking, Erika!