On Sunday I ran the Run For the Parks 10k (DC) for the first time. There are a few DC races that use the same course and I have always had good luck with them in the past. I’ve been struggling with injuries on and off this year and after my not so stellar Army 10 Miler run a few weeks ago, I was excited to see how I would feel today.
1. PR Racing always puts on a great race. Packet pick up is a breeze in their store the day before. It helps that the store is next to a Peets’s Coffee shop. Getting to and parking at the race on a Sunday morning is super easy. The porta potties were super clean-bonus!
2. Extra Sleep- What better day to do a race then on Daylight savings? Most certainly enjoyed that extra hour of sleep. I don’t know about you but I always have trouble sleeping the night before a race.
3. Built in Carb loading-Doing a race Halloween weekend really lets you put those extra carbs to good use! I had a few extra mini Reese’s peanut butter cups just to make sure 🙂
4. Race Swag-PR races usually have great swag and this time instead of a shirt we received a great Technical half zip. The material is great and I can’t wait to run in it. bonus we also received a nice finisher’s pin.
5. National Parks-Proceeds from this race benefit The National Parks in DC. All of the monuments and Mall area are part of the National Parks. Living in the DC area, I tend to take for granted all the amazing historic sights. Doing this race, I am reminded how much I am missing out on by not visiting more often.
6. Flat & Fast-This course is very flat and in the past I’ve had some great PR’s on it. I wasn’t expecting that today due to the aforementioned injuries, and I never know how I am going to feel until I start running. Despite the brutal wind coming off of the Potomac River today, I was able to maintain a much better pace than I had expected. Nothing hurt today when I ran and the cool temps made for great running. I ended up having one of my best races in a long time so I will take that. Many of my friends had PR’s today and it is always great to be there with them.
7. Meet ups-I love having the chance to meet up with and race with other MRTT moms from other chapters. We had a pretty big group today and they make for a built in cheer squad. Twice during the race, I heard someone yell, “MRTT” and it just makes me smile.
8. Race teams- This race always has a big contingent from the local race teams. It always amazes me to watch them run and realize that while I am at mile 2 they have already passed the turnaround and are heading back to the finish. There are some seriously impressive men & women out there. So inspiring!
9. Opportunities-You never know how you are going to feel on any given run. I haven’t felt this good on a race in a while and for that I’m grateful.
10. I love a 1oK-Probably one of my favorite race distances. It is fairly easy to stay in shape for & doesn’t wipe you out for the rest of the day.
All in all, a pretty good race!
How about you-do you love a 10K?
PS-Remember to check out my Blog Hop giveaway for a Run Mino
Lots of great reasons here! Very cool, sounds like a fun one 🙂 I like that all the national parks benefit from it 🙂
I know it’s a great cause and one that I never think about even though I live here. It was so windy though
So much love for a 10k–you can have fun with it, race it hard. And what a venue!
It’s great to run by all of the monuments and I tend to take our scenery for granted.
Sounds like a good event! Maybe next year it will work out for me.
It is always a flat and fast course just a little windy last week made it challenging.
Looks like a fun run! I really like that Proceeds from the race benefit The National Parks in DC. I enjoy 10Ks and have one coming up this weekend! 🙂
10k”s are great! Good luck this weekend and have fun 🙂
I do love the 10k distance! Actually, I hadn’t done one for years, and this summer decided to do a local one for fun. I took 2d in my AG! Bonus!
Wow that’s impressive! That won’t be happening over here anytime soon but it is probably my favorite distance. I was so happy to run and have no pain.
Grrat pics! Your half zip is very nice. It’s nice when races give you something else rather than the usual t-shirts.
It is nice to have something different bc I never wear the t shirts.
Sounds like a great race! I’ll have to keep this one in mind for the future.
It’s a nice flat course-couldn’t do anything about the wind that day though
Sounds like a great time! Running a race in DC is still on my bucket list, I have to make my way down there! Love the swag too!
oh yea you do! How about the Rock n Roll in March?
i agree- PR Running does SUCH a good job with their races. they are so well organized – happy you had a fun time!
Thanks it was a fun time! Could have done without the wind though 🙂
I have to confess, the 10k is not my favorite distance. I did a few extra ones this year trying to change my attitude about them…didn’t help very much. But, I continue to try anyway. I just did my favorite 10k on Saturday. It was very windy there too. Love the half zip pullover!
Really I love the 10K The half zip was a really nice change from the usual t shirt.
Congrats on a great race and feeling so good!
Thanks! Feeling good right now 🙂
Lots of great reasons, looks like you had some fun times. Love the pictures!!!
Congrats to you on your finish and great times!!!
Thanks! Love the patriotic pictures too!
Great pics ! it looks cold! I love the half zip – super nice compared to a t-shirt 🙂 Looks like you had fun- I had a good time at my 10K this weekend too! and it was chilly for Florida as well!
Chilly in Florida huh? It’s more the wind that bothers me and I always forget how much it impacts the run. Still a fun day
Great race re-cap, Deborah! This was a fun race and I will do it again with you next year 🙂 The breeze was fierce, but moved us along the course nicely (at least for the first 1/2 or so). 10ks are great, but the 10-miler is still my favorite distance; just wish there were more of them!
BTW, can you send me the photo of us in front of the Lincoln Memorial? – It’s great and I don’t have that one 🙂
I love the 10 miler too just wipes me out a little more. It was a fun day and yes for sure again next year. I love doing races with my MRTT mamas. Sending the pic to you 🙂
Extra sleep is a great reason to love this race! And I had a few extra mini snickers bars :). I also love 10k’s for the same reason – I don’t feel like my whole worls revolved around training for it!
Absolutely! And yes the extra sleep was great. I am always nervous the night before and have trouble sleeping.
I do love running a 10K. It is a challenging sprint… at a comfortable pace 😉
that’s a great way of thinking of it!
Sounds like a great race and I love that it benefits the national parks! #wowlinkup
It’s a great way to help keep the National Mall beautiful. I could have done without the wind though 🙂
Glad you had an injury free run! I always hear so many good things about this race – hopefully I will be in town for it next year 🙂
It’s a really flat course. They use the same one for the Veteran’s Day 10k this weekend as well. Yes happy to be feeling better too!
That technical zip is awesome. I have a friend in DC who runs and the races always look amazing.
There are only a few 10K’s in Asheville, but it is a race distance I really want to try more of! Out of all my races, I’ve only run one 10K!
I love 10K’s too. We have a few around here too. I wish there were more it’s one of my favorites
I’ve never done this race, I’ll have to try it next year. I agree, PR puts on fantastic races and great swag!
It’s a great flat course. I could have done without the wind though
Looks like an awesome race! So happy you had a good run 🙂 I love 10k’s too- I can push myself and still feel good afterward which is always nice 🙂
Exactly! I love a 10K for just that reason
Hahaha you cracked me up with the benefits of racing after Halloween and Day Light Savings-love it! Glad you had a great time 🙂 #wowllinkup
Thanks! It’s definitely a plus
Flat and fast? Sign me UP!!! That is a great way to get rid of the calories from the candy – perfect timing. I always love reading your posts – you participate in the fun events and remember to take pictures too! Love that. #wowlinkup
You are going to have to come do a race with me sometime or we can meet half way where ever that is!
Looks like a fabulous race. I love 10ks (though I spend more time running my half marathons). And the scenery…I find that is the most important thing for me – pretty pictures 🙂 #wowlinkup
Thanks it’s a beautiful place to run for sure.
May I ask where you found parking on race day? Thanks!
We parked on Constitution you just have to get there early. Have a great race!