Race Recap: DC Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run
The Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run in Washington D.C. is supposed to be a gorgeous run full of cherry blossoms as far as the eye can see. While many of the cherry blossoms were already gone, the run was still gorgeous. Washington D.C. itself is simply gorgeous.
For the last few months my IT band has been giving me some trouble. It has been causing knee pain, and I was not sure how easy this run would be. I decided that I would stick to 10 minute miles and even planned to run with Ashley of Daily Goods. However, the morning of the race Ashley was running late and was in a different corral, so I decided I would run by myself. She was running with 4 other friends anyway, so don’t worry, I wasn’t leaving her by herself! We were running the race with friends, but I didn’t want to be pressured into running faster, especially with my recurring knee pain.
Our group of friends did everything right. We ate dinner at 5:30 PM and got into bed by 9:30 PM. When we woke up in the morning, the sun was shining and we were all well rested. It was going to be a good day. Running from our group were PB (my husband), Manoug (our friend who lives nearby), Jon (Kristine’s husband), and I. Kristine could not run due to some really bad knee issues she is having, so I was the only woman running from our ever expanding running group.
Fuel
This is what I ate before and during the race:
6:30 AM: 3/4 Clif peanut butter bar
During the race: Gatorade at 4/5 water stops. 4 Clif shot blocks safety pinned to my capris Caitlin-style (thanks for the idea- it worked perfectly). I ate one each at miles 5, 6, 7, and 8.5.
Immediately after race: 1 banana, 1/2 cup Gatorade, 1 bottle Cherry Blossom branded water (yes, they branded their own)
I wore my new RhodeyGirl Tests t-shirt, black workout capris, Nike hat, iPod, Garmin, wedding rings, and the pinned energy bites.
Race:
We were in the blue corral, which meant that for the first time we were not with the walkers. I was very appreciative of that. It was a lot easier to keep a good pace when everyone around us was running and we were not trying to run around walkers. Also, it was really motivating.
Within 2 minutes our group split up into our own paces. PB passed me quickly, but I did not see the other guys ever pass me. In fact, at the end of the race I thought I had beat them (I hadn’t). The first few miles were simply fun. I was trying hard to hold back as I know my knee pain is aggravated by speed, but it was hard with all of the fast runners passing me. Also, it was the first time I was being passed so much!!! I have been used to trying to pass group after group of runners and walkers, so it was humbling to be the slow one in the group. I won’t lie, while it was difficult to have them passing me, it was also extremely inspirational. Older men and women passed me left and right, and it made me hopeful to be one of them one day. I hope to run forever.
I had my iPod with me but I was trying to wait to use it. I was feeding off the energy of the crowd. In the first couple of miles we saw the elite runners heading to the finish, and groups (including me) were cheering for them as they passed. The race consisted of a few out and backs, so we passed other runners several times. I even spotted PhillyBoy once! I was doing great until mile 4, when my knee started to hurt. a lot. I knew I had to hold back the pace so I did, but running slower was making me lose my energy. I finally put on my iPod to the playlist I was supposed to use for the Disney Half Marathon (my iPod was dead for that race however, and I hadn’t been able to use it) and rocked out. I need new music. The music just wasn’t intense enough, although it did give me the boost of energy I needed.
The interesting thing about races is that I never really feel like I am running. You know how when you are in the middle of a house project, like reorganizing your closet, and you are exhausted and want to take a break but you suck it up and finish it? That’s how I feel during races. I never feel that way during normal training runs though. At mile 5 I was really happy we were halfway through, but it was also unbelievable to me. When we hit mile 8 I knew that even though my knee pain was getting worse and worse, I was really close to reaching my original goal of finishing this with a pace under 9:30 min/mile. I will never be a fast runner, but I hope to improve every race. I picked up my pace and bit my lip to keep from crying out about my knee pain. I am not being dramatic here- it really hurt. I probably should have stopped for a minute to stretch, but the congestion of the water breaks was enough, and I was afraid I would not be able to start up again.
When I hit mile 9 on my Garmin I knew I had 1.13 miles left. Race courses are always a bit longer than the actual distance because of the width of the street and weaving in and out of people and whatnot. I blasted my music (a song from the Glee soundtrack that always pumps me up- Don’t Stop Believin’) and I believed in myself, as corny as that sounds. I ran as fast as I could which ended up being a pace of 9:07 for the last mile and a pace of 7:32 min/mile for the last minute or two. I crossed the finish line with a look of determination on my face, and I was happy.
Of course, after the race I was extremely out of breath and the pain of my knee came rushing full force. I took a post race photo and tried to head over to the water/snack station, but it was slammed. I was finally able to grab a banana and a bottle of water. After longer runs I never have an appetite right away, but I knew I needed the fuel so I forced myself to eat the banana and drink a bit of water.
My splits:
Mile 1: 9:14 min/mile
Mile 2: 9:17
Mile 3: 9:37
Mile 4: 9:38
Mile 5: 9:46
Mile 6: 9:40
Mile 7: 9:50
Mile 8: 9:24
Mile 9: 9:29
Mile 10: 9:07
Mile 10+: 7:32 (total time for this section 1:03)
Average pace per Garmin: 9:28 min/mile
Average pace per official race results: 9:37 min/mile 1:36:05
Depending on which average pace you count I either beat my Philadelphia Half Marathon pace or came really close to it!
PB had a personal best of average pace 8:27 min/mile, and Jon did as well with an average pace of 8:52 min/mile! I am so proud of them!
The race was never difficult. 10 miles is a really good distance, and somehow much easier than 13.1. I have learned how to fuel myself and I know I run best on a low calorie breakfast with ample fuel during a run. I was proud to wear my RhodeyGirl Tests shirt, and the hat saved me from the sun.
I am now even more excited for the Broad Street Run in 3 weeks in my new hometown of Philadelphia!!
The cherry blossoms may have been dead, but my spirits are alive and strong.
Goal for the Broad Street Run? Average pace 9:20 min/mile. Time for some speed work!
Oh, and my knee is still hurting today, but I plan on icing it and foam rolling my IT band a lot. I am starting yoga this Wednesday with Kristine, so hopefully that will help with the IT band/knee issues I have. Boot Camp has helped a lot too, as my legs are stronger than ever.
Post race meal: Clyde’s in Chinatown.
Anne P. of fANNEtasticfood came to meet us for brunch, and we had a fabulous time eating and chatting. We both ordered the Eggs Chesapeake which was a toasted english muffin topped with crab cakes and poached eggs. We both opted for no sauce and fruit instead of potatoes. I also had an orange juice. It was a perfect post race meal.
Anne P is awesome! I hope I get to see her again soon!!!
In the afternoon Jon, Kristine, PB and I went to Georgetown to shop a bit and check out Sweet Green, which Anne P. said had awesome tart soft serve yogurt made with Stonyfield Farms yogurt. I had a small with strawberries, blackberries, candied walnuts and chocolate chips. It was so delicious and the perfect level of sweetness.
I love my life.
24 Responses to “Race Recap: DC Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run”
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ahh my group of friends and I are a mess. Sorry we didn’t get to meet up and sorry we didn’t get to run together. I think i would have definitely been able to keep up with you if i wasn’t all the way in the back. ah, stress. hope to see you soon girl! XO
Congrats!! You’re so motivating. I’m hoping to to the Tufts 10K in Boston in October — I’ve only done 5K races so far but I think I can do it, reading your running posts are always so motivating — I just need some to rub off on me ๐
Congrats! ๐ Good job.
Congrats girl! That is awesome that you finished and paced yourself (given the pain!!). I love that you have such a big/fun running group. And a fantastic brunch afterwards ๐ FROYO!!!!!! Hope you have a wonderful week.
way to go! i’m so glad you were able to run in spite of knee pain. i hope that one day i can do the same (maybe not a race, but just running without pain would be nice :)) your RhodeyGirlTests shirt is ADORABLE!
Great job! Looks like such a fun day! I love the idea of poached eggs on crabcakes!
Awesome recap! Way to power through an injury ๐ Hope it’s feeling OK now. I’m still on the fence about Broad Street, but this post made me excited either way!
This recap was REALLY motivational for me! It was nice to hear how you powered through the pain but made adjustments midrace to help get you to where you needed to be.
Great Job!
I’m eager to hear more about your speed workouts as you work for a faster pace!
You were the star of the weekend!!!!! Great training run and now rest your knee so you can be in tip top shape for Broad St!
Funny how I have no injuries from yesterday’s run, but my toe is now killing me from stubbing it on the bed this morning….OWW.
Ok, as someone who is currently in physical therapy to recover from IT band syndrome, and hasn’t been able to run since January 31 (with a few exceptions sporadically in Feb and March to test my leg, but never more than 2 miles without pain) take 2 weeks off pronto! I made the huge mistake of running through the pain, and now I’m missing Broad Street, have constant pain in my hip, and am in pt until at least May. It sucks!
@Kelly, Thank you for your comment. What are they making you do in PT? I’d love some advice. I am going to take a good 10 days off from running, but not from the other stuff. Unfortunately, it keeps going away and coming back, but if I stretch every single day it doesn’t come back. I think I maybe need to focus on stretching my IT band more and strengthening my legs even more? Is that what they are having you do?
Congrats on your run!
By the way I made your whole wheat pizza dough this weekend. Delicious!
@Midgetkeeper, Awesome thank you! Actually, now that I think about it I remember the tweet!!!!!
So many congratulations, girl! I’m gearing up for my first 5K in May and, while I know the distance is short, it’s still very scary for me! Reading recaps like this are so motivational to me! So, not only are congrats in order, but also a big THANK YOU!
@Lindsay @ The Ketchup Diaries, Thank you!!!! Your first 5K is going to be so much fun!!!!! Good luck!!!
Great run – you should be so proud of yourself.
Looks like you had a great run – and great meal with Anne!
Hope your knee feels better – don’t push it too hard.
Congratulations to you, PB and your entire running group! I hope you’re not too sore today. Roll it out on the foam roller! Congrats again.
Great run! And congrats to PB, too! I think the best part of a destination run besides running is enjoying the city, which you seemed to do.
Way to go girl! This was a great recap. Did you figure out how to work the flip cam?
Congrats to you both! Awesome job! ๐
Congrats on the wonderful run! I’m so proud of you! Take good care of that knee this week!
Way to go! Those are great splits!
Yay! Heart you ๐ We must play again soon!!
congrats on those great splits!
cant believe you were in the area and we didnt get to meet up! hopefully when im in philly =)