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Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run - Run10 Mile


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Washington, Washington, D.C.
United States
59F / 15C
Sunny
Total Time = 1h 52m 44s
Overall Rank = 9487/10661
Age Group = 30-34
Age Group Rank = 917/1058
Pre-race routine:

I've finally gotten to the point where I actually DO have a Sunday race routine! Saturday it's breakfast out, then packet pickup and shopping to distract myself from the nerves and get everything laid out for the next day. Then up at 5 AM (I swear, I am going to start a race series that doesn't start until 11 AM), coffee & a bagel and out the door. Unfortunately this time around, I lost an hour due to DST, and my dog decided to have a sneezing fit at 3:30AM and woke me up.
Event warmup:

Walked from the Arlington Cemetary metro over to the start - somewhere between 1 & 1.5 miles - wish I could have timed it a little better so that there was less standing around once I got to the start. Lots of bouncing around trying to stay warm until I had to ditch everything at bag check. (I wish I was more coldproof) Start writing my race report in my head. (Yes, I'm a freak, but it makes me pay attention to what's going on so I can write about it later.)
Run
  • 1h 52m 38s
  • 10 miles
  • 11m 16s  min/mile
Comments:

Started off with the usual first mile argument with my body over running..
Me: Alright, lets go!
Body: Bite me.
Me: It's race day, this is what we do - run, remember?
Body: You stole an hour from me and if you cleaned house more often, the dog wouldn't start sneezing at 3:30 in the morning.
Me: I'll vacuum more. Please?
Body: Fine. But I won't enjoy it.
Me: Sure you won't, we'll talk at mile 2.

Actually only took about the first 1/2 mile to get into a groove. This was already a "no pressure" race, I know I can do 10 miles, I really want to try and see the cherry blossoms (first time in 20 years I have been at the tidal basin at the peak) and just enjoy the day. In the first two miles, I accomplished that quite nicely - wow, they really are pretty!

First water station is at 2.5 - while they're well staffed and none of them ran out of water, it's a little wonky. With the sheer number of runners, you really can't see how many tables they've got, so everyone just hits the first one, which quickly gets to the point of fill/handout/fill/handout, which slows me down a fair amount, but it's all good, I have water. Learned from this one to try and hit the middle for water, or just wait til the end tables for gatorade. The cups all seem to be way overfilled, too, so each water stop is a nice river of water/gatorade in the street.

I know I did the first 2 miles too fast, so I don't worry about actually trying to keep up that pace, just keep cruising at a comfortable level. For some reason, and maybe it's just me, there is something fun about getting to run across the Memorial Bridge. Maybe cause you'd normally get in trouble for doing it in the middle of the street. Back across it again and on to Rock Creek Parkway. Hit mile 4 at 44:28 - I still am going too fast, but oh well, it's not like I am going to go back and re-run that mile slower. :)

Along the Potomac, past the Kennedy Center - I make a mental note of the 9 mile mark on the return route. I know I am going to be happy to see that. Lots of spectators, even along this route, which is somewhat harder to get to. Tons of volunteers cheering people on. Mile 5 in under an hour - the 2 hour goal is looking good.

Into Rock Creek Park - very pretty area. Lots of trees and shade and we're not getting the wind off the river anymore. (Probably wasn't noticeable to most people. Again, I need coldproofing.) For whatever reason, I decide to start playing around. I pick someone in front of me that I'm approaching and decide to pass them. Get up behind, then a couple long strides to get around, and settle back into pace. My legs seemed to like the variation, and this turns into my best split for the whole course. Still feeling good, but looking forward to getting to the turnaround. We're over halfway there, but there is something about actually hitting the "back" part of the out & back that is nice.

Hit the turnaround, another water stop there, this one even messier it seems - the volunteers are telling people to be careful at the turnaround - guessing a few folks slipped and wiped out ahead of us. This is less of a problem when you walk the water stations. I walked a little longer on this one, I'm starting to feel it. Keep on cruising to the mile 7 mark, hey it's just a 5K left! (Except that every time I think that, the other voice in my head points out I've never done a 5K race...) I start leaning very heavily into my run and just let gravity do it's thing and notice a BIG difference from when I just lean in a little bit. Make a mental note to try this more.

Hit mile 8 and walk for a bit - not cause of my legs, but of all things, my *hands* - I still tend to keep my hands way too high when I run, and they were complaining about lack of decent circulation. So, I walked and stretched my hands/arms and shook them out, and off again. Hit the water stop, and as we exited, I can't help but notice my shoes are kind of sticking to the pavement (all the spilled gatorade) - as is everyone else's - let me tell you, that is an odd noise to hear several hundred pairs of sticky shoes squeaking along.

Hit the blessed mile 9 mark. The same thing always rings through my head - it's just a mile, you can totally do a mile! It doesn't hurt that I can also take over 18 minutes and still be under 2 hours - that just puts a smile on my face. More spectators here, too and lots of volunteers. A local gym has a bootcamp thing going and all their trainers are there too. As we come back down Ohio Drive, they tell us "Just past this curve and you can SEE the finish!"

Seeing the finish is always the best. I keep on trotting along, smile on my face, song in my heart, and squeaky shoes. I do manage one last good burst and finish with what I think is a PR, except that I can't do the math in my head, even if dividing by 10 should be simple... :) Once I'm done and have a minute to corral a couple brain cells, I realize I've done my best 10 mile time. Not too bad for a "no pressure" race.
What would you do differently?:

Remember to pay more attention to my arm position, cause that was pretty annoying. Would have been nice if I could have convinced Congress to move the DST change a week either way, too, cause that extra hour last night would have been nice.
Post race
Warm down:

Grabbed some water, stretching, get all my extra clothes back on (way too breezy when you've just run 10 miles.) Leisurely walk back to the metro station.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

I PR'd for 10 miles, so I'm really not sure what could have made me go faster besides a 20MPH tailwind.

Event comments:

Well organized, but I think they may have had more problems than usual with people running w/other people's numbers - they ran out of bottled water at the finish and were madly filling cups from water coolers for people - can't help but think more people may have showed than they counted on. (They do not allow transfers at all, but that's also really hard to police.)

OK, considering that the results show 10,661 finishers and supposedly this is only a 10,000 man field, they definitely got more than planned.


Profile Album


Last updated: 2005-12-12 12:00 AM
Running
01:52:38 | 10 miles | 11m 16s  min/mile
Age Group: 917/1058
Overall: 9487/10661
Performance: Good
1----10 48/60; 2----10 48/60; 3----11 51/60-WS; 4----11 1/60; 5----11 20/60-WS; 6----10 37/60; 7----12 7/60-WS; 8----10 59/60; 9----11 42/60-WS; 10----11 25/60
Course: Relatively flat, super scenic - the cherry blossoms are in FULL bloom right now.
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 4
Physical exertion [1-5] 4
Good race? Yes
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Average
Race evaluation [1-5] 4

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2006-04-02 12:04 PM

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Elite
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DC Metro, slowly working my way to NC
Subject: Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run


2006-04-02 12:43 PM
in reply to: #385903

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Master
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Chesapeake, VA
Subject: RE: Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run

Congrats on a great race and 'no pressure' PR!  Those are the best. 

Now enjoy your Sunday afternoon and relax in this perfect spring weather. 

 

2006-04-02 12:56 PM
in reply to: #385903

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Extreme Veteran
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northeast Ohio
Subject: RE: Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run

Way to go on your PR!!!!!!  Oh, it would be so nice to see those cherry trees.  That must have been so lovely to run past.  Thanks for sharing your race!  Very cool!

Diane

2006-04-02 2:27 PM
in reply to: #385903

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Expert
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Herndon VA
Subject: RE: Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run

Cindy, great run and congratulations on your PR.  I enjoyed the race report especially the part about the squeaky shoes.  That must have been funny to hear.  

Ernie

2006-04-02 3:04 PM
in reply to: #385903

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Extreme Veteran
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Albuquerque, NM
Subject: RE: Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run

Cindy - congrats on your PR!  Enjoyed your race report immensely, especially the mile 1 stream of conciousness.  I was bit chilly before the start, but warmed up nicely after about a half a mile into it.

Great job - you are doing awesome this year!

2006-04-02 3:04 PM
in reply to: #385921

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Elite
2661
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DC Metro, slowly working my way to NC
Subject: RE: Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run
captantony - 2006-04-02 1:43 PM

Congrats on a great race and 'no pressure' PR! Those are the best.

Now enjoy your Sunday afternoon and relax in this perfect spring weather.

I think I need to make more of my schedule "no pressure" if it works like this!  Dog & I spent some nice quality time hanging out in the backyard afterwards.  He also seems to really enjoy the post race napping. 



2006-04-02 3:05 PM
in reply to: #385968

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Elite
2661
20005001002525
DC Metro, slowly working my way to NC
Subject: RE: Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run
ejc999 - 2006-04-02 3:27 PM

Cindy, great run and congratulations on your PR. I enjoyed the race report especially the part about the squeaky shoes. That must have been funny to hear.

Ernie

It really was - it was one of those weird points where everyone just happens to be quiet for about 5-10 seconds and all you could hear was*squeak*squeak*squeak*squeak* as we went along.  And thanks!

2006-04-02 3:07 PM
in reply to: #385926

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Elite
2661
20005001002525
DC Metro, slowly working my way to NC
Subject: RE: Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run
drdi - 2006-04-02 1:56 PM

Way to go on your PR!!!!!! Oh, it would be so nice to see those cherry trees. That must have been so lovely to run past. Thanks for sharing your race! Very cool!

Diane

It really was so pretty - as we were going along I am making a point of making sure I see as much of them as I can - I can finally say, "Why yes, I have been down to the tidal basin when the trees are in full bloom!" 

2006-04-02 3:09 PM
in reply to: #385979

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Elite
2661
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DC Metro, slowly working my way to NC
Subject: RE: Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run
tnt2tri - 2006-04-02 4:04 PM

Cindy - congrats on your PR! Enjoyed your race report immensely, especially the mile 1 stream of conciousness. I was bit chilly before the start, but warmed up nicely after about a half a mile into it.

Great job - you are doing awesome this year!



Thanks!!  I am really feeling good about the season - if it continues to be just this flat out enjoyable, it will truly be a success.  By the time I hit mile 1, I was warm too, and glad I'd sucked it up and left the long sleeves behind. 

2006-04-02 5:24 PM
in reply to: #385903

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Champion
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Michigan
Subject: RE: Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run
i know it's prolly mental, but doesn't it feel like your feet are really sticking to the ground when that happens?  congrats on the run, it's official, you are now hooked.  soon your closet will be overflowing with tons of cotton t's and a few tech ones!
2006-04-02 5:29 PM
in reply to: #385903

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Master
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Red Sox Nation
Subject: RE: Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run

WOW!  Great report!  And SUPER JOB on the PR!!!  I like the stream of consiousness ... that's where we differ ... I just sneak up to the start and my body doesn't figure it out until about a mile in.  The element of surprise!  Glad you got to hang out this afternoon ... and you were just funnin' about the vacuum, right?

Looking foward to your next missive!



2006-04-02 7:57 PM
in reply to: #385903

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Hollidaysburg, PA
Subject: RE: Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run
Awesome race!!! Glad to hear it went well!
2006-04-02 8:16 PM
in reply to: #386041

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Elite
2661
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DC Metro, slowly working my way to NC
Subject: RE: Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run

trixie - 2006-04-02 6:24 PM i know it's prolly mental, but doesn't it feel like your feet are really sticking to the ground when that happens? congrats on the run, it's official, you are now hooked. soon your closet will be overflowing with tons of cotton t's and a few tech ones!

Yep, definitely a race junkie.  When my feet were sticking, first thing I thought was, "It's just like being at the movies..." then it was all I could do not to start laughing and scaring the people around me. 

2006-04-02 8:17 PM
in reply to: #386044

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Elite
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DC Metro, slowly working my way to NC
Subject: RE: Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run
foolproof - 2006-04-02 6:29 PM

WOW! Great report! And SUPER JOB on the PR!!! I like the stream of consiousness ... that's where we differ ... I just sneak up to the start and my body doesn't figure it out until about a mile in. The element of surprise! Glad you got to hang out this afternoon ... and you were just funnin' about the vacuum, right?

Looking foward to your next missive!

Thanks!!  Yeah, not getting near the vacuum unless I accidentally trip over it.  I'll have to try sneaking up to the start next weekend, there should be less people so it shouldn't take me 11 minutes to hit the starting mat!

2006-04-02 8:18 PM
in reply to: #386171

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Elite
2661
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DC Metro, slowly working my way to NC
Subject: RE: Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run

mtnchick13 - 2006-04-02 8:57 PM Awesome race!!! Glad to hear it went well!

Thanks!  We lucked out so much on the weather, couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day. 

2006-04-03 9:54 AM
in reply to: #385903

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Expert
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Northern VA
Subject: RE: Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run

Hit mile 4 at 44:28 - I still am going too fast, but oh well, it's not like I am going to go back and re-run that mile slower.

Ha! Great race report! Congrats on a great race. It was a beautiful day!

Bill



2006-04-03 10:40 AM
in reply to: #385903

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Master
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Colorado
Subject: RE: Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run
Sweet! I was sad to miss it, but ah well -- glad you could go out and have a good race! WOOO!
2006-04-03 11:04 AM
in reply to: #385903

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Extreme Veteran
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Provo, UT (my heart is in Seattle)
Subject: RE: Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run
Congratulations on the PR, that's great! The Cherry Blossom is one race that I really want to run someday.


2006-04-04 5:46 PM
in reply to: #386611

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Elite
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DC Metro, slowly working my way to NC
Subject: RE: Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run

ChipmunkHeart - 2006-04-03 11:40 AM Sweet! I was sad to miss it, but ah well -- glad you could go out and have a good race! WOOO!

I think if you have allergies, it probably would have been miserable.  Gorgeous, but miserable.  So, stock up on the good drugs and be there next year.

2006-04-04 5:47 PM
in reply to: #386649

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Elite
2661
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DC Metro, slowly working my way to NC
Subject: RE: Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run

Drewwhite - 2006-04-03 12:04 PM Congratulations on the PR, that's great! The Cherry Blossom is one race that I really want to run someday.

Thanks - I was really surprised with it.  This was my first year for it, the weather can be completely all over the place this time of year, so we were really lucky.  (Half the time the festival goes off and there are no blossoms yet, or they've been blown off the trees...

2006-04-06 6:50 AM
in reply to: #385903

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Expert
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McKinney, TX
Subject: RE: Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run
Great RR, Cindy!  Congrats on the PR!  That would keep me smiling all week...hell, all MONTH!


2006-04-06 7:08 AM
in reply to: #385903

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Expert
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Potomac, Maryland
Subject: RE: Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run
Congrats on a great race.  Ten miles is nothing to sneeze at. Smile  Idid the race last year and it was cold then too.  Especially disheartening since you sign up for the Cherry Blossom run in winter thinking it will be positively balmy weather!  Good job!
2006-04-07 2:18 PM
in reply to: #385903

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Extreme Veteran
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Southeast, PA
Subject: RE: Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run
Great race and great RR!
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