Sunday was my first race, since high school, in the rain. Quite possibly, the first time I’ve ran in the rain for a long time. Possibly since high school as I generally avoid it at all costs nowadays.
Not gonna lie, it was mildly enjoyable.
The race itself was a lot of fun. Dare I say, easy.
My official time is unknown as for some reason, though I’m listed as a registered runner, was definitely there, had my race packet, for some reason it didn’t record.
The clock time that I saw was 1:08:30ish and I suspect I was about 2-3 minutes past the gun so I would say 66:00 ish for chip time.
That puts me around 10 minute miles.
All that speed work has paid off.
My real test will be this weekend. The marathon (that I haven’t really trained for) is just around the corner and oh em gee, I’m nervous. Very nervous.
But this isn’t about my nerves.
The race started at Stanton Park in NE. Down Mass Ave to Lincoln Park – a route I often run for 3-5 mile runs when I don’t want to go far from home. Down East Capitol Street toward RFK stadium. Just after mile 1, we saw the leaders heading back down East Cap towards the Capitol. My friend M finished 7th overall for women, dashed past me. She amazes me. She was a collegiate cross country runner – essentially what I wish I had been in college. If only….
Was excited I got to cheer her on though. And the leading men? Holy crap! Look at those legs!
Mile two was behind RFK on a slight uphill, still I kept my stride, I tried to keep the pace – my mile splits were between 10-11 minutes. I really need to start running with a watch so I can track my mile splits. And I call myself a runner…
Mile three was back down East Cap just on the East side of Lincoln Park, ran around that with mile four just past the Library of Congress – mostly flat. Saw Fiance just past the half way mark – he was having a coffee at Jimmy T’s at 5th and East Cap and figured he should pop out. My run and kiss apparently left his coffee salty. Serves him right.
(“hey now, hey now, I waited until after you ran by to pop into the diner” pshhhh)
Mile five was just past the turn around mark at 3rd Street SW and that meant that the last mile was up the god awful Capitol Hill. I don’t think in all my training runs – well that’s a lie, I use the hill for…duh…hill workouts-that i’ve ever really ran up it at the end of a long run. But man, I hauled ass up that hill. There’s no other way to word it, I’ve been trying not to be such a potty mouth but I haullleedddd ass. Now granted, by hauling ass, I don’t mean I hauled ass very fast but I kept moving. As in, did not walk.
So by the time we popped around 3rd street SE toward the finish at Stanton Park, I was stretching my stride and felt so good when I finished. In the words of Bruce Springsteen, “baby I was born to run…”
Clock Time: 1:08:30
Chip Time: (estimate) 1:05ish
rank: unknown.
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I LOVE running in the rain! Some of my fastest races have been during downpours. There’s something oddly nice about it.
heyyy! Congrats on the Race and Sorry we never found each other!! there were A LOT more ppl than I was expecting! I loved it – aside from the actual “hill”, haha. Definitely plan on running that one again!
I’ve yet to find myself racing in the rain. That time seems even better considering the weather conditions. Way to go!
nicely done! I must say that my rainy 10K kicked ass, even though I walked it. It kept me cool and I felt even more accomplished having weathered (get it) the storm!
What pace are you targeting for the marathon? If you’re still going for about 10 minute miles, you could run with the 4:30 pace group… led by me!