Given the size of the field, there was no official seeding for the start. We're all kind of loosely corralled trying to figure out when we're going to actually get going, as there have been no announcements in the past few minutes, we're all within a minute or two of 8 on our watches when suddenly, the horn goes off. Ack, time to go! This is when I also realized that I was more MOP than BOP when I saw a ton of people had fallen in behind me when the gun went off, so I got to the right as quick as I could to stay out of the way.

Now, there were a ton of WC's at the start. But not even a half mile in, there are guys taking off into the woods left & right - couldn't help but laugh as I heard my mother's voice of "Why didn't you think of that before we left?!?" I managed to settle right in and today my body decided not to argue with me over running - my first mile breathing rhythm seems to have finally shaped up to take care of that. Probably too fast for the first mile, but feeling good and trying to be mindful of my pace.

Second mile was uneventful, but again, too fast. But, I'm walking the water stations, so it will all even out in the end and be OK. Hit the water station at 2.5, walk a bit and it's off to the races again. Ankle & hip are totally fine, seems they just needed some shaking out.

Once I get through mile 3, I realize I've got a problem. First, I'm still going too fast, and if I keep this up, things are gonna get ugly somewhere around mile 6 if not sooner. Second, I don't seem to be able to slow down. (Yes, I know how absolutely ridiculous this sounds given that I am hardly quick like a bunny - I even laughed out loud at the idea.) Given that the water stations are 2.5/5/7.5 and that I'm not spending enough time there to offset the overclocking on the run, I decide to kick over to run/walk with mile 4, figure I'll walk a minute at each mile marker and take the walk at the water stations as a bonus and this should keep things in check overall.

This turns out to be a good move, and I'm essentially doing run 10/walk 1. At the water stop just past mile 5, I am passed by the guy who is running and juggling... He passed me at mile 5 at Cherry Blossom too. If he shows up at the Army 10 miler, I will throw a chain saw at him and tell him to juggle that, too. But other than that, I'm feeling good, the humidity isn't bothering me, and I'm well under an hour at this point as it is.

Running on the closed parkway is great, if quiet - it's not terribly easy for spectators to get out there, but there were some there! Somewhere between 5 and 6, there was a Mom & kids, all with drums and bells and whatnot - it was like having our own marching band!

Hit mile 7, still feeling good, but happy that we're well over halfway there. Walk the 7.5 water station and enjoy it. Can't help but think about the fact that these last three miles are basically going to be like the run for Va Run in a couple weeks. Thought about that a lot in the last three miles.

Mile 8 - oh we are sooooooooo close! We head onto the overpass that goes over the beltway and then we're in Old Town proper. Not a problem except that you have to go *up* to get over it... Given that most of the course thus far has been downhill or flat, no one is exactly thrilled to have to go up at this point, myself included. Surprise water stop right after it - WOOHOO! That, and two turns and we're done!

We make the turn onto Franklin Street and we can see the Mile 9 marker. Unforuntately, it's halfway up a hill. A hill that at this point is HUGE. Next to me is a woman and her husband - she is really hurting at this point - it's her first 10 miler. Her husband holding her hand and encouraging her, and I start too - she's looking at the hill with despair, and I can't blame her one bit. But I tell her - nah, it's just like a pimple - ugly but not fatal. I put out my hand and tell her we'll all get up the hill together, and the three of us head up in hand in hand and break mile 9 and conquer the hill. This, my friends, is what it's all about for me - not about time or strategy, just getting up the hill together - that's the type of thing that makes race day extra special to me. We get up the hill and openly cheer that it's flat ahead. :)

Last turn on to Union Street! And another surprise water stop, put up by someone running for City Council. I take the water, tell them "Way to buy the votes!" and to be honest, I couldn't in a million years tell you the name of the candidate. Now, you can see the finish line banner from here at this point, but I also know it's incredibly deceptive - Union Street is long and FLAT, and I've learned so far today that when I see a mile marker, I'm usually a good 90+ seconds away from it, and this is probably even further than that. So I just keep trucking along at the same pace.

There are more and more people lining the streets as we get closer, and I start looking for my brother, since I know he's out there somewhere. Do you know how many dark haired, tall, skinny guys with ballcaps were wandering around today? A lot. But not too far before the finish, I spotted him! And for whatever goofy reason started to choke up when I saw him and I waved to him and he saw me and cheered me on and that was all I needed to really kick it out for the finish.

Not a thing, it was a spectacular day.

Bit of stretching, water, granola bars. Found my hill buddy and gave her a big hug and congratulated her on finishing. Found my brother, grabbed my bag and walked around Old Town for a while, which was a good cooldown.


Lack of rocket propelled shoes?


It's not a fancy event, but it's well run, a fast course and a good time.