Race Recap: Cherry Blossom 10-mile… err, 9.3 mile in DC

April 16, 2015 - Mel

My first Cherry Blossom race — and my first time seeing the cherry blossoms at peak bloom season in DC! The last ten weeks of training have brought me to this 10-mile race. Which, if you’ve read any other recaps or followed along this weekend, was shortened because of an unfortunate accident on the course. I am wholly impressed by the race directors and what they were able to accomplish given the timing of the accident and the start of the race.

Doing a Sunday race was WAY better than last month’s Saturday race, where we had to rush into DC on a Friday after work, and someone else had to grab my packet/bib. That said, it was nice to stay an extra day last month and enjoy many mimosas after crossing that finish line. This time, however, it was more in-and-out then sticking around to enjoy the city, but the little we did enjoy was enhanced by some beautiful weather and spring-like surroundings.

Lining up, I was excited to run into some fellow SCRR peeps in my corral and to start the first part of the race with, given that my friends were running late because of the metro (they ended up finishing at a 9:30/pace, so I wouldn’t have run with them for long anyway).

Steel City Road Runners represent! (I'm on the right.) — Steel City Road Runners represent! (I’m on the right showing off my neck muscles again.)

Registration and Cost: Entry to this race was on a lottery system (spoiler alert: I got in!) and my registration was about $80; I upgraded to a tech shirt and purchased a medal.

Expo and Packet Pick-Up: Orderly, for sure, and a beautiful space in the National Buildings Museum, but nothing about the expo itself provoked me to stay around and hang out (or buy anything). I mean, how many times do I have to see the same lotion lady and stim machines? To be honest, I really was interested in new shoes, but the expo wasn’t screaming out any brands. Also, it was kind of annoying to pick up bibs and t-shirts in different places (and on different floors). Even the sign that read “Pick up all shirts here” wasn’t even where I picked up my upgraded shirt (it was at the end of the row of tables).

Oh, and because the swag bag was virtual, I didn’t have any safety pins. Nobody reminded me about the safety pins. This should be programmed in the volunteers heads when handing over those bibs. But I did find one of the coolest Walgreens I’ve ever seen (in a search for said safety pins).

Bag check: Didn’t use. My hotel was about a mile from the start line, so I walked with all the gear I needed. Speaking of which…

Weather: B.E.A-UTIFUL. All that spring and none of the allergies either! The start line was a little chilly, but I had a thin pair of gloves which were easily stuffed in my pants when I warmed up.

Course: Because of the earlier mentioned incident, the first four miles were re-routed, making the course run short. I really was looking forward to that path around the basin too. Oh well, next year Lottery Gods. Those back miles down-around Hains Point though… WOOF. If it weren’t pretty and bloomy, it would be incredibly boring. Also, it was crowded.

Fans and Experience: I laughed and smiled and high-fived throughout the course — these race fans were PROS. I chuckled at many of the signs; there were several about brunch, which TORTURE ARTISTS. My favorite though was one that read “You’ve done dumber things when you were drunk.” #truth

I found myself pausing or pulling out my earbuds at various points of the course to take everything in. The miles kind of blend in together, but I think it was Mile 3 where there was a DJ; there was also an amazing drum band near the end of the course. I always get a thrill when runners start screaming in tunnels and underpasses.

Random Bullshit: My Songza shit the bed before I even hit the 5K mark and I had to restart the app… which told me at the most convenient time that I wasn’t logged in. It was at that point I realized that I also hadn’t synced my songs from the cloud to my phone since upgrading my device. So I was that lady trying to remember my password and log into my account WHILE I WAS RUNNING. Nailed it.

Finish Line: WHERE IS THE WATER?! WHERE ARE THE BANANAS? OH GOD HELP ME.

This may sound hyperbolic but a horrifying reality after you’ve run for an hour-and-forty minutes. That finish line chute took forever. And why the hell do you put photo booths before the water stations?!

AND WHERE THE HELL ARE THE BANANAS?! (I never did find them.)

Medals and Swag: “I’m not winning any money, so you best believe I paid for the medal.” Truer words were never spoken. Fun fact, at the Cherry Blossom race, they don’t put medals on you at the finish line — you have to pick them up at another location. Which would have been helpful had I remembered THREE BLOCKS EARLIER. (Yes, I had to walk back when I saw someone else wearing one.) I am wholly incapable of any thought but food after running. Why was this so complicated?! Did I mention crowded?

Bonus: FUN RACE DAY PICTURES!

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Notable 30-somethings: Heck yeah, 32-year-old Serena Burla placed 1st in the U.S. Women’s Division; there were several 30-something women in the top 25 in the Open Division. So inspiring! Fist bump.

Found my friends and former derby teammates after the race -- that one on the left just ran her 10th Cherry Blossom (along with her mom!) and now has legacy status. — Found my friends after the race — that one on the left just ran her 10th Cherry Blossom (along with her mom!) and now has legacy status.

After party: that would be a three pigs omelet at City Tap House, and then a four hour-drive back home to Pittsburgh.

Overall: I really loved this race, and I really hoped to run faster. But I felt SO GOOD while doing it and had some kind of peaceful journey over those miles.

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I mean, that picture says it all, doesn’t it?

Immediately after I finished, however, my left knee felt like it locked up (yes, the same knee that was giving me trouble last month). And on the same side, my foot was SCREAMING. I was hobbling back to the hotel (and, ack! had to wear flip-flops to brunch because of my swollen feet). I have no idea what is happening on my left side, but an emergency massage was in order this week.

Results:
Net time: 1:39:57
Estimate 10 Mile finish: 1:47:35
Pace: 10:38.8

Cherry Blossom 10-miler: Training Week 10 (Race week!)

April 13, 2015 - Mel

This marks the last week of the training cycle for the Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run. I’m writing this in anticipation of my drive out to DC with some goals, big ideas and a small dose of pride for getting here. Sure, lessons were learned along the way. And with this race out of the way, I’ll pick up where I left off for my Pittsburgh Half Marathon training.

Monday: Rest day.

Tuesday: Ran 4.06. What a beautiful day to be outside! I’m pretty proud of this negative splits action right here too:

9:54 average pace

Wednesday: Girls on the Run meeting (I really would have liked another run this week, and it was simply Pittsburgh gorgeous outside!).

Thursday: Rainy, stormy day for my short-but-slow last-of-the-training-cycle run today. Thankfully, while stormy, I got my three miles in before the sideways rain, tornado-like windstorm really hit Pittsburgh. And running in the rain felt good — like, really GOOD. Just me, my Garmin watch and my new North Face rain jacket (which, keeps me dry from the elements but makes me sweat profusely, so I don’t even know the point). I also re-started a combined workout of both the 30-day Core Challenge AND the 30-day Ab Challenge. Ironically, I finished those miles in my 5K time from 2013 (the one race a year I would run simply for apple crisp) — 32:30. A good reminder to think about the progress I’ve made.

Friday: REST! I’m going to drink some wine though, for certain. And roll my quads.

Saturday: Training plan told me to rest again, so I’ll do that (not that there’s anything wrong with it). Also, I got to go to the Expo! I brought my small double tennis ball roller to the hotel with me, so I could give myself a good foot warm-up and work out my glutes.

Sunday: RACE DAY! A bit shy of 10 miles (more about that in my upcoming Race Recap), it was a beautiful day to run 9.53 miles in DC.

Total runs this week: 3 (includes Race)
Weekly mileage: 16.59 miles (includes Race)
Total training mileage: 62.40 + 7.06 = 69.46 miles (does not include race miles)

Since I’m not switching over to my Pittsburgh Half Marathon training, the cycle continues with 78.99 total miles. Keep on, keeping on…

Cherry Blossom 10-Miler: Training Week 9

April 8, 2015 - Mel

Every time I think about this race, I get butterflies in my stomach… bursting OMG TEN MILES ones, but nervous excitement, nonetheless. Some of that was alleviated when I reached out to a former derby teammate to see if she still planned to run this year — and she is! So at least I won’t be starting alone and she intends to run my pace with me. I downloaded the app and started following the #cucb2015 hashtag to connect with other runners. I hear there’s a beer & oreos group around Mile 8, so I put out a gluten-free cider APB via twitter.

But seriously, NEXT WEEKEND. I can’t believe how quickly this race came around! And let’s not even talk about the half marathon yet. WHOOOOOSH.

MONDAY: REST (awesome after-work event)

TUESDAY: REST (homework)

WEDNESDAY: RUN! 4.04 miles WITHOUT A COAT (!!!) and Day 1 of a 30-day Core Challenge that I immediately forgot on Day 2.

THURSDAY: REST (must. pack!)

FRIDAY: Traveling to Columbus.

SATURDAY: Another 4 on 4/04 (4.26 to be exact) with no headphones. While the course I picked was boring (and I spent most of my time watching out for store doors to smack me in the face), I felt AWESOME.

SUNDAY: Easter, eat ham. Repeat. Does that count for exercise?

To be honest, I thought I did another workout this week. I really need to work on adding in some at-home workouts to get me through this semester (and until I have, like, 15 more minutes of day light hours). Before I go and get down on myself for having too many rest days, I need to remember that I walk a mile to work (and home a mile) 4-5 days per week. And yeah, I need to upgrade my walking-to-work shoe collection because I did not anticipate bleeding blisters on my run on Saturday.

And then we’re in Race Week! In putting my first 10-mile race into perspective (while I was training for the 15k and thought it would be “fun” to run a 10-miler), I hadn’t even completed an 8-mile training run before doing the EQT in November. I’m in much better running shape as far as getting my long runs completed; obviously, skipping the shorter training runs, I’ve realized in retrospect, are not making me a better runner. Noted for future races, self.

Side note: hallelujah, it’s SPRING!

Total runs this week: 2
Weekly mileage: 8.3
Total training mileage: 54.10 + 8.3 = 62.40

Total miles from MARCH, while I’m here: 33.35 miles. Yikes! That seems… like not enough.

Cherry Blossom 10-Miler: Training Week 8

April 2, 2015 - Mel

Since my knee was bothering me last training week, I’ve made it a point to get in some strength training as part of my workouts. I love my CrossFit gym, but let it take a backseat to working on my conditioning for running. I don’t want to get injured, so I realize (again) SO MUCH the importance of cross-training and hopefully I can make this knee stronger in the process.

MONDAY: REST

TUESDAY: CrossFit — some deadlifts work and a nice-and-easy (although they’re never really easy, are they?) 4RFT WOD of back squats and push ups.

WEDNESDAY: Had a presentation tonight, so a long workout wasn’t in the schedule, but I found a quickie three rounds o’ fun on Instagram via the Bite Sized Army.

THURSDAY: Read in bed almost immediately after work because I feel like I’m getting sick. UGH.

FRIDAY: Concert duty tonight, so today is another REST DAY.

SATURDAY: I wasn’t feeling well in the morning, so I skipped my CrossFit gym’s anniversary workout and picnic. But because of this intense head cold, I sweated all the sickness I could in a two-hour hot yoga session.

SUNDAY: SICK DAY. Blah.

Total runs this week: 0
Weekly mileage: NOPE
Total training mileage: Still sitting at 54.10

Now I need to go a little off my training plan to make sure I’m ready for this race. I’m not worried (aside from my knee holding up)… but it won’t be pretty.

Cherry Blossom 10-miler: Training Weeks 6 & 7

March 23, 2015 - Mel

Less than a month away from the Cherry Blossom race, and less than two months away from the Pittsburgh Half. WOO! Racing season is upon us.

Week 6
I rested my knee throughout the week (with a little RICE), hoping for no long-term injuries. Saturday was my 5K race in DC (recap here) and NO KNEE PAIN! (Thank the Running Gods.)

Total runs: 1 (just the 5K, ma’am)
Weekly mileage: 3.1

Week 7
I’m ready to add back in some CrossFit training into my week, and already have yoga on the calendar for next weekend, because three rest days in a row is not my style (and I feel like I’ve finally settled back into a routine since starting my new job two months ago).

Monday: 7 miles post-work. NO COAT! And a lot of rolling on these shins that are tight. Woof. Also, I’ve been finding some hilarious things along my runs, which fuels my brain. Today: a big turd on the 16th Street Bridge, some sort of Taco Bell wrapped thing face-down on the sidewalk (you know that guy was SO MAD), and a guy wearing a shirt that read “I Cheat.”

Tuesday: REST

Wednesday: RESTED

Thursday: REST DAY

Friday: Intended for a run, buuuuut the boyfriend invited me to early happy hour to watch some SPORTS.

Saturday: Definitely overdressed for this run, holy crap too many layers. But yay, 5 miles in the sunshine (or 4.5 if you go by my watch, SIGH). Also, apparently I swam across the river and back AND did a mile in five minutes per my MapMyRun course.

Err, there's not a bridge there. — Err, there’s not a bridge there.

I also saw a lady on a unicycle going over the pedestrian/multi-use bridge on my run today. She was dressed in performance gear like you see the Tour de France dudes wearing. And not just any unicycle but a THICK BIKES unicycle. So bad ass. There is also some really cool graffiti art and messages down along the Allegheny riverfront, if you’re into that. I also somehow had a bug go down into my bra (under a tank, a zippy shirt, and a jacket).

Sunday: Good news, I got in my 8 miles today (8:08); bad news, my left knee started bothering me again (this time around Mile 6). Sooooo, I’ll be watching that again this week. I had the boyfriend drop me off in Regent Square area (8 miles from the house), and I ran down (up) Forbes through Schenley Park, up through Oakland, down Fifth and all the way through to downtown, swung around the point and crossed the river. That was a really fun adventure.

Total runs this week: 3
Weekly mileage: 20.44 miles
Total training mileage: 30.56 + 3.1 (week 6) + 20.44 (week 7) = 54.10!

Cherry Blossom 10-miler: Training Week 5

March 9, 2015 - Mel

Short and sweet and to-the-point wrap-up today.

Monday: I tried out a new CrossFit program at my local YMCA; since I already have a membership, and the first three classes are free. And, well, let’s just say I’ll stick to my old CF home. (I did degrade my monthly membership though, since I wanted to focus on my running training — but still want the option to drop in once a week.)

Tuesday: REST
Wednesday: STRETCH/ROLL
Thursday: REST
Friday: REST

Saturday: What was most important this week was that I got my long run in. Originally scheduled for Sunday, once I was out on my run, I felt good enough (and the weather was amazing!) to extend my mileage. As per the tip on the Cherry Blossom’s training plan, I ran at a super-comfortable pace — about 11 min/mile, which made me feel as though I could run forever. Even though my left knee started spazzing out on me around mile 4, I picked up the pace as I approached my couple miles back home (the pace I originally hoped to race at the Cherry Blossom).

6.42 miles

Sunday: Swapped my long run to Saturday, so today was an easy 3 miles. Not-so-easy on my knee. I’m starting to freak out.

R.I.C.E. (and it's been a while since I've sweat outside like this!) — R.I.C.E. (and it’s been a while since I’ve sweat outside like this!)

Total runs this week: 2
Weekly mileage: 9.43 miles
Total training mileage: 21.13 miles + 9.43 miles = 30.56 total miles!

Cherry Blossom 10-miler: Training Weeks 3 and 4

March 2, 2015 - Mel

So Week #3 was another bust: after suffering a serious case of DOMS from Crossfit (that lingered for three painful, terrible days), I endured a four-day painful and terrible streak of headaches.
ZERO MILES.

Moving on…

I invested in a few more cold weather running pieces, since it seems as though this winter is sticking around. 180s was having an uber-awesome sale around Valentine’s Day, so I picked up another pair of thermal running tights (only $20!), a neck gaiter (free with my purchase!), and these fun ear muffs that have speakers in them (now if I could only get my phone not to die in these extreme temperatures). Their site has a bunch of awesome solutions for being outside in the frigid temps — and sells one of the best pair of convertible running gloves I’ve seen/worn.

180 running gear

Week 4
Monday: 3.25 miles, treadmill
Tuesday: 3.21 miles, treadmill
Wednesday: REST DAY
Thursday: (homework day)
Friday: REST DAY
Saturday: 4 miles OUTSIDE (4.03 via Garmin; 4.26 via MapMyRun). I was only supposed to do 3, but felt good, so I took a longer run in the chance I wouldn’t get out on Sunday.
Sunday: AND THEN OF COURSE, THE WEATHER. Welp, I’m one mile longer behind again in my training, but I had a paper due and couldn’t get to the YMCA before it closed at 2pm. (Seriously?!)

run collage

I’m not quite sure how this neck gaiter works, but I LOVE these new ear-warmer speakers!!!

Alas, I feel MUCH better about this week of training than I have in a while, but I’ll have some make-up work to do.

Total runs this week: 3
Weekly mileage: 10.49 miles
Total training mileage: 21.13 miles

February totals (per MapMyRun):
7 runs
21.37 total miles

Cherry Blossom 10-miler: Training Week 2

February 17, 2015 - Mel

I swear, I can’t be the only one who experiences technological difficulties, can I? I’m not just a late 30-something out-of-touch, but maybe Technologically Cursed.

My iphone died again on my run — this time mid-run instead of after (yeah, I’ll definitely blame this one on the cold). But it obviously did not record the full course. I’m also having issues with my Forerunner loading up my GPS location. I’ve read similar stories online, but mine is taking a RIDICULOUS amount of time — like, two auto-shut down warnings before it knows where the hell I am. That’s some kind of stress, thinking ahead for race day.

Anyone have advice before I chuck this thing in the river?

I only ran 2 miles last week on Tuesday after work. I won’t pretend that this week hasn’t been a huge disappointment.

Yeah, can I just NOPE this whole week of training? Starting over. Again.

Total runs this week: 1
Weekly mileage: 2 miles
Total training mileage: 10.64 miles

Cherry Blossom 10-miler Training: Week 1

February 9, 2015 - Mel

Don’t let the title of this post confuse you!

Soooo, I decided to make a change to my weekly training schedules and switch to a Monday-Sunday format. Both of the training plans I’m following adhere to this style (except for MapMyRun, which… anoying), so my posts will begin to reflect that. Starting…. now. Also, I’ve signed up for two upcoming races: April and May — the Cherry Blossom 10-miler and Pittsburgh Half Marathon, respectively — the Cherry Blossom race is first. That, too, is something I’m changing going forward (hence the title of this post). When the 10-miler is complete, I’ll switch back to whatever week I am in the Half training. Is that weird? I don’t want to lose focus, but I do much better target one thing at a time. Basically, I’m going to be WAY ahead of the game running a 10-miler a month before the half, so I’ll be weirdly merging my training runs until April.

Receiving my first week training plan for the Cherry Blossom 10-miler today lit a fire under me. I hope I can hang onto that motivation because I am PUMPED. (We booked the hotel this weekend too… SQUEE. Yes, I SQUEE.) Cherry Blossom is only (ha! only!) 10 weeks away.

Monday: Treadmill Day — 2.25 miles. Hey, the treadmill run didn’t feel too bad today, but BOY does it feel so much longer.

Tuesday: First evening class at CrossFit. I kinda dig it! (I felt much more beastly than normal, but then again I LURVE box jumps.) The Cherry Blossom plan called for an interval program, but I’d rather do an HIIT workout. I don’t know how this affects me as a runner, but I’m also trying not to burn out from running over here.

Wednesday: REST DAY

Thursday: REST DAY. My Cherry Blossom plan called for a run day, but I had a presentation for school AND it’s negative 80 outside AND the Y closed at 9. DAMMIT.

Friday: REST DAY.

Saturday: I originally wanted to to CrossFit on Friday, but I pulled a double-duty for my Saturday. 11 AM CrossFit — a mean row and thrusters complex, followed by a jumprope cash-out. Although, I finally strung together more than 2 double-unders — I completed 4 in a row! So pumped about that.

Then, I did one of my easy RUNS — 2.16 miles. I had two goals for this run: obviously to keep the run on my schedule, but also to do the entire workout without my earbuds and music. I was WAY too aware of my body and my surroundings, and to be honest, I’m not sure that I like it. Holy crap, do I always breathe that terribly?

TWO-A-DAY!

Sunday: What a beautiful day to be outside! But also VERY muddy. Today was my long run of the first week of training: 4.23 miles for me. (Still having this inconsistency between my Garmin Forerunner and MapMyRun app, but tracking this week for MMR).

Total runs this week: 3
Weekly mileage: 8.64 (per MapMyRun)

How do you develop a training plan when you’ve got two races with two different mileages on the horizon?

Heartland Transplant

cherry blossom 10 miler