Wow! I had forgotten how much excitement, nervousness, adrenaline, and a little panic that race day brings. After more than 19 months, I finally had the chance to line up at the start line of a live race again. The Cherry Blossom 10 miler in Washington DC is back!
Cherry Blossom 10 Miler 2021
This local race has always been a personal favorite of mine. In fact, it was my first “long distance” race over 16 years ago. Many years later, I was lucky enough to be a Cherry Blossom Ambassador. This past weekend, after so many covid cancelations, I was back to run my 10th Cherry Blossom 10 Miler. That puts me in the 100 Mile Club!
While this race is always held the first week of April, Covid cancelations forced it to go virtual in 2020 and move back to September this year. Unfortunately, there were no beautiful cherry blossoms lining the course through Washington DC. There were, however, lots of happy runners-me included.
September races in the DC area are dicey, to say the least. Summers are hot and humid and thus, are not ideal for longer training runs. I worked hard this summer and I was determined to train smart and get to that finish line.
Packet Pick Up
There is no race day pickup option. Packet pickup was a breeze on Saturday at the National Building Museum. There was a pared-down expo but had everything that anyone could need. I easily picked up my own and a few friend’s bibs and was in and out in under 30 min.
Pre-Race Details
Since it had been 19 months since my last race, I wanted to make sure I had my “flat runner” ready to go. As I mentioned in my previous post, I also ran with the race bib of my friend, Gail, who passed away last week and who was registered for the race.
Race Morning
It was a 5 am wake-up for me with a 6:15 departure. I ate my normal banana oatmeal bake. We easily found a parking spot 2 blocks away from the start at The Washington Monument. It was a gorgeous sunrise. Porta-potties were plentiful and we made our way to our corral just as the race was starting. Masks were required at the start and finish.
The elite runners headed out about 15 minutes before the masses. We caught a glimpse of them running back towards the finish. Always an impressive sight. They sure make it look easy to run at a 4:?? pace.
My Run
With my half coming up in just 3 weeks, I was determined to stick to my race plan. I was set on running a strong race without overdoing it all so that I would jeopardize my upcoming goal race. I decided to stick to my intervals of 5:1 for the first 8 miles and then just run if I felt good at the end.
That first walk interval came quickly but I stuck to it and all the others. I felt really good the whole time. It turned out to be a little less humid than expected which is always a bonus. I ran into a few friends from real life that I had not seen in forever. And, 2 ladies recognized me from my Instagram and said hi. That was super fun.
Before I knew it, I was hitting the home stretch. It was great to back running in DC with views of the Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Martin Luther King, and the African American History Museum. So much to see! Normally, Haines Point would have been lined with Cherry Blossoms as well.
I picked it up in the last mile for the uphill finish back at the Washington Monument. There were lots of options for water and snacks. We were ushered through the medal line.
Would I do it again?
Absolutely! I can’t wait to run it again next April with the actual Cherry Blossoms.
Overall thoughts
With less than 6,000 runners this was a much smaller race but I kind of liked the less crowded course. I was really proud of my effort and pacing. With my 5:1 intervals, I finished in 1:46 putting me at about a 10:24 average pace. My run times averaged around 9:45. Knowing I had my friend’s race bib in my pocket gave me a little extra push.
Wow, did I miss the excitement of race day! I am very thankful to have had the opportunity to run this race in person. Next up, Wine Glass Half Marathon.
Thanks for helping to make the Runners’ Roundup a huge success by visiting all of the hosts: Laura, Me, Debbie, Jen, Lisa
Well done, Deborah! I love how you paced yourself with the 5:1 intervals. It’s easy to get carried away in a race and throw all plans overboard. It does feel good to be back at a starting line, doesn’t it?
Gail would have loved it that you brought her bib along. It must have been a bitter-sweet day for you and your friends.
I was glad that I stuck to my plan and feel good for the next race. Yes, it was bittersweet for all of us thanks xoxo
Congrats on a strong race! it must have been great to be out there again. I also think it would be nice to do a race like that with a smaller number of participants. The spring race will be here before you know it!
Yes it will. You have to come run it one of these years
Isn’t it great to be racing again?
You ran a super race.
You will have an awesome time at wineglass.
I’d love to run this race one day.
Thanks yes, it does feel great to be back and feel good at the same time
Congrats on the race, the finishing time and the strategy (5:1). It’s not easy to enter a long distance race with few participants, after 19 months and also after a hot summer.
And now Wine Glass Half Marathon!!!!! All the best.
Thanks so much it does feel good to be back out there
Woot!!! I’m so glad you were able to return to your favorite race!! Even with the different time of year for running it, it probably felt incredible to be back in familiar territory. Well done!
It was really nice to be back at a real race
How exciting! It looks like an amazing race, and that photo of the sunrise is stunning. Just looking at all the pictures is getting me excited to race again. Can’t wait to hear about your upcoming half!
I did not realize how much I missed running races
You did such an awesome job sticking to your race plan! Great job, Deborah, congrats! I know this one will always have a spot in your heart due to the first RL race post COVID & your friend’s passing. Hugs.
Yes this race does have a special place in my heart thanks
This is such a bucket list race for me! I think Ii have to find a way next year. I still haven’t gotten to see the cherry blossoms in person on a regular year, so wouldn’t it be amazing if all the good fortune aligned!
I’m so glad you’re back to racing! How amazing! Congratulations!
I hope you get to come up and run it some time! It is a great race
Congrats on sticking to your plan and running a great race! It’s exciting to be back racing, isn’t it?
I loved running the Cherry Blossom 10-Miler, but haven’t run it since 2008. It was always hit or miss on the blossoms, but one year it was held on a particularly beautiful day and the blossoms were at peak – fun memories! I also loved that it was such a fast course, and back in the day, packet pickup was also on race morning.
It sure was great to be back at the start line of a big race!
Congratulations on a race well-run. I think it’s amazing that you ran with Gail’s bib. (((Hugs)))
Pretty amazing to find close parking too.
That pink glow on the monument is spectacular!
I have driven every year and found parking but it was way easier this year! I am really happy with how the race went
How fun to be able to return to live racing after so many months! Sounds like it was a pretty seamless race logistically, which is always much appreciated with mid to large size races!
I would love to do this race one day, but not sure my allergies could handle all the cherry blossoms in the Spring lol.
I think it’s worth it! Come join me
Congrats! I love the 5:1 strategy throughout the race. You had a great pace time and you probably felt really good too. I also love that you had your friend’s bib in your pocket. So sorry about her passing. Great job overall.
I still want to do this one someday!
thanks I was really happy with how it went and that I stuck to my strategy. Yes, come do it someday it’s really fun
That’s a lovely medal, and it’s so beautiful that you ran with your friend Gail’s bib with you, I salute you for being able to do that and have that bittersweet moment. Well done on keeping to your intervals so well, it really is the best idea if you’re going to intentionally do it from the start, isn’t it.
Yes, the intervals worked really well for me and prevented me from going out too fast and burning out.
Great job Deborah! So glad you got to run a live race again!
A wonderful tribute to carry Gail’s bib with you – I’m sure that gave you some extra motivation.
Cherry Blossom is still on my bucket list.
Yes it sure was some great extra motivation
Congratulations! It does feel so good to get back to real racing, doesn’t it?
OH yes it does!
Congrats on the race! It sounds like it would be fun to do a big race with a slightly smaller participant size. And really cool to see the elites out there!
yes it was and I was really happy to be back out there