I have not written too much about my training for the Cherry Blossom 10 miler because I was so worried I would get hurt again and not be able to run it. The last 2 years I had to drop out due to injury (stress fracture and plantar fasciitus). The Cherry Blossom has been one of my favorite races since I first ran in back in 2008 when it was my first 10 miler ever. My goal this year was to get to the finish line injury free.
I trained as smartly and as conservatively as I knew how and I really believe that paid off for me this year. I was diligent about sticking to my race plan, not adding on extra miles and recognizing when I need a day off. I have the tendency to think I need to kick it into high gear with every workout, everyday which makes my legs tired for running.
This year’s race was very mentally and physically challenging for me for a number of reasons.
Prerace Panic
-My running buddy had to drop out 2 days before and I realized that I had never really run a long race by myself with having someone to pace with and chat to.
-The weather! Mother nature decided to pretend it was January and bring freezing temps coupled with 40 mph winds for race morning. I had trained all winter in very cold temps but the winds scared me. I could hear the wind blowing our patio furniture around all night before the race and did not sleep very much.
-There was lots of hysteria in our running group and in social media about the weather and I probably let it get me more anxious than I should have.
-The race organizers announced there would be no signage during the race, no mile signs or mile split clocks. There would be no big stage or tents to gather in before or after the race. Basically they wanted you to come, run and leave. Ok!
Race Day
Living in the DC area, it is so easy to take for granted the amazing history and architecture. Hearing the National Anthem sung that morning while standing in front of the Washington Monument gave me (even more) goose bumps than usual. I forget how lucky I am to live here.
As we made our way to the start area, the corrals were not marked at all and I had no idea which pace group I was herded into. The wind was just howling and I think my feet were numb the whole first mile. As we headed over the Memorial Bridge it was pretty brutal and I certainly had a few, “What the **** am I doing?” moments. It got a little better after the bridge and by mile 6 I was starting to warm up a bit.
I caught up to a few MRTT friends and chatted a bit. It was mentally challenging not to have any signs or mile markers throughout the race. The water stops were rather chaotic with cups blowing everywhere around my feet. I saw one set of porta potties knocked down by wind. (Would not want to clean that up!) There were no cherry blossoms left to look at.
I knew the last few miles would be the toughest with the wind whipping off the Potomac River at Hains Point. My legs felt really good but the cold air was making my chest hurt a little. I hunkered down and gave it all I had that morning. As I neared the finish line, I could hear the cheers of the crowd and thought I might actually break out in tears. One of the hardest races I have ever done. I am really proud of my effort that day and ended up finishing a few minutes ahead of where I expected.
For me, this race was not about finish times but instead finish lines.
linking up with Anne Marie, Nicole, Michelle & Angelina Marie
Running on Happy, Suzlyfe, Coach Debbie Runs & Crazy Running Girl
Congratulations on your finish! I always think it’s hard when you do not see mileage signs along the way. Cute medal!
I never realized how mentally I do like to see the mile signs along the way.
Wow that sounds like a pretty grueling race. Congratulations in not only finishing but starting too!
I’ve been lucky that I’ve not had a race with bad conditions so far. Some rain and wind yes but nothing that made me consider my sanity when starting!
Definitely one of the toughest ones I’ve ever done!
Great job!
Yes, you are very lucky to live with DC so close by. I love DC & have not been back since we got married!
We actually got lucky with our race Sunday. Yes, it was a lot colder than yours. Yes, there was an awful snowy/slushy mixture falling overnight.
But the wind mostly held off until after the race, and the icy stuff had melted already by the start (interesting, since it was below freezing).
Now the 5 miles afterward? THEN the winds kicked up. They were kind of brutal! Oh, and we had a gym to hang out in before/after the race.
I do long runs on my own a lot, and all my halfs have been run on my own, so even though I run with people sometimes on my long runs, I have plenty of practice doing long runs (and races) solo.
Again, congrats & I love the medal!
I think the fact they we were standing around cold for such a long time before it started made it even worse. Looks like lots of races had weather issues this weekend
I want to run this race one day! I hope that day is not as cold and windy as this tough 🙂 Congrats on the finish in the tough weather. I’m glad you were healthy this year!
Thanks! The lottery opens in December you should do it next year. BTW in previous years it was nice and warm 🙂
You did great! You braved those awful conditions. And with that crazy weather, you are right, it wasn’t about finish times.
Thanks and thanks for that last minute pep talk I was really freaking out!
Way to go Deborah! The weather on Sunday was quite something, and even with all that discussion online about the weather and the race day changes, you still managed to run a strong race. Sometimes, as you said, a finish time is completely insignificant compared to just going out there and running the race itself. Way to go!
Thanks I feel like I gave it all I had that day and that’s all we can do right?!
That picture of you guys huddled…. I can feel the cold/wind through my computer screen. I love the medal. Congrats on finishing….hopefully next year there will be less wind and more blossoms!
That sounds great to me!
LOVE this. Love it. I know all too well how you felt–believe me, I know! Glad it went well, glad you got what you needed out of it!
Thanks so much! It was a tough race and I feel even stronger for doing it under those conditions.
Wind is so tough to run in, congratulations on the race. At least you got to enjoy some beautiful cherry blossoms pre-race.
Yes the blossoms were beautiful all over the week leading up to the race and they all blew away the night before. Go figure!
Not having the mile markers would be tough. I like to mentally check off each one, and some, like Disney, have fun pictures on them. Great job on finishing the race and not getting injured this year *thumbs up*
Thanks! I didn’t realize how not having the mile markers would be mentally. How fun that the Disney ones have characters. I’ve still not done a Disney race yet
Looks like so much fun! Great photos too I love cherry blossoms.
Thanks it was fun despite the weather.
That medal is absolutely beautiful!!
That wind sounds absolutely crazy!
Yes the wind was crazy like nothing I have ever run in before
Congrats on your finish! Looks like a beautiful race I would love to run. On my list, maybe I should go out and buy those pretty Asic Cherry Blossom shoes I found and put on my calendar for next year…. but if the temps are that cold I wouldn’t be happy.
It’s usually not anywhere near this cold! The lottery opens in December I will try to remind you
Great photos! That’s sad that the flowers weren’t there any more but you definitely earned that medal 🙂 Those winds were no joke.
Thanks they certainly were not!
Congrats! That race sounded so brutal. Sometimes showing up, doing your best, and finishing is what counts! And I’m glad you broke your streak of not being able to run this race.
Me too! Thanks so much
Huge CONGRATS!!! The weather that day wasn’t good anywhere, but I’m glad you were able to cross that finish line. I can’t imagine no mile markers. My watch tends to always be slightly off, so I would have been dying for the finish!
I didn’t realize how much I counted on the mile markers until they were not there! It does really help mentally during a race.
Brrrrr, looking at your pictures made me feel cold. Windy conditions are not fun! Congrats on taking on a challenging race. I love the Cherry Blossom on the medal.
Thanks! Feeling accomplished 🙂
Great job!!! I was stationed in the DC area for 3 years, and always loved the history of the city!!
Thanks feeling good about it!
Wait, what? Why were there no signs or mile markers? That’s so strange.
Nice job getting it done in less than ideal conditions! Thanks for linking up 🙂
It was so windy that they had to take down everything ! No mile markers, splits signs or any corral signs. It was kind of odd really
Way to go! This sounds like it was incredibly challenging. I hate when the weather interferes, and that has so far dictated the races I sign up for (avoiding winter and early spring). Looks like you did a fantastic job crossing that finish line 🙂
thanks yes things we can’t control! So ready for spring
Congrats on finishing a tough race!! These are the races that make us stronger and push our running to the next level. Great job!
Thanks so much! So true
I love a good finish line and there is nothing wrong with that! Hard to believe your were freezing last weekend and I about sweat to death! Congrats on finishing – you had to be smiling ear to ear!
I know I thought it was funny you talking about being so warm down there
Great job getting it done with those winds! I wish that the Syracuse Half had done away with mile split times or just turned off the clock in general! I’d love to run the Cherry Blossom one day- maybe next year since I for sure won’t but running the SYR half again, haha!
ha ha yes you should come down here and do it!
I am so happy for you for reaching your goal and getting to run this race! Congratulations! I can only imagine running in that wind. It was hard for me just walking in it.
It was crazy! Thanks so much
I want to run the race next year!
Oh you should! The lottery opens in December
congrats on finishing. i wish you had had better weather! i am still stuck on the fact that the race organizers didn’t do a whole lot. no signs? no mile markers? no tent?
It was way too windy and they were afraid that the signs or tents might blow into the runners and injure them.
Way to go Deborah especially in those conditions! Sad that the blossoms had all blown away but awesome job finishing! Great pic of you and the medal with the WA Monument in the background!
Thanks so much! Feeling accomplished
I love the quote about finish lines vs finish times! That’s totally my mentality for my upcoming half. Also, it looks SO cold out there!!
It was important for me to remember why I was running and that the time really didn’t matter. Thanks! Good luck to you too
Congrats on getting through this race injury free and with all of those challenges you mentioned!
The picture of the cherry blossoms with the Jefferson Memorial (I think) is just gorgeous!
Thanks so much feeling good about it!
Congrats Deborah on Finishing the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler in this cold weather!The conditions were hard but you pushed through and did it! Having no mile markers is one of the most frustrating things in a race – it makes the run mentally harder. Love the pics! Especially you with your medal:):)
Thanks so much really appreciate your support! Hope you are having a better week
The wind sounded brutal, glad you made it to the finish line. Its the tough times that create the best memories! Congrats!
Exactly! Thanks
Nice job!!!!
It sounds like you trained smart and raced smart! I guess I am so familiar with this course I didn’t miss the mile markers – plus I did check the map the day before to remind myself that Hains Point covers mile 6 – mile 9+. I am so in love with the medal!
I love the medal too! I felt like I really earned it and next year I am going to crush that course. Maybe we will do a training run together next year
Good for you for overcoming all the obstacles! Those are always the most gratifying experiences 🙂
They really are thanks!
Congratulations! I saw that windy picture on Instagram. It made me glad I was on the opposite end of the continent! Tough races always make great stories and memories!
I know crazy how different the weather can be!
Great work! I desperately want to run this one, although probably when the weather is nicer. No one likes those kinds of winds and cold.
You did awesome and I love the bling this year!
It was very unusual!
Congrats, Deborah! I know how much you have wanted to run this race the past couple of years and glad to hear/see you finished (despite the horrible conditions out there). Way to go.
Thanks so much so glad to be back!
You did AWESOME despite the conditions. It was great to train smart and be cognizant of injury. I have a race next weekend and I have rolled my ankle. I will take your pointers into consideration!
ooh hope it’s feeling better but there is always another race to do and I’ve learned the hard way to take off when I need to.
HUGE congratulations on your race!! I am so glad you are injury free and you are a hero for running in those conditions. You are BACK!!! Yay!! I am so happy for you!!! xoxo
Thanks so much Natalie! I am getting there and feeling good
Congratulations, Deborah! Sorry we weren’t able to meet. I’m glad you were finally able to run this race and it sounds like you had no pain! The wind was absolutely brutal and I agree that not having those mile markers made things very interesting.
I know bummer we didn’t meet up! it was a race to remember for sure.
Congratulations on the finish. I would love to run this race one day.
Usually the weather is much nicer. The lottery opens in December for next year’s race.
Congratulations on your finish!! Sunday was brutally cold! Way to you on getting out there and giving it your all!!
Thanks so much! It was a tough one
Great job!
Love the filter your using for your photo’s they take on a new life of their own, look at those beautiful clouds on that dark blue sky! Love the medal too, nice looking on!
One of my bucket list items is one day coming to DC to see all the cherry blossom tree’s in bloom, and running a race through them, well that would just be an awesome bonus!
It may have been tough, but you did awesome. I think this would be such a fun race to do! Fabulous job my friend!!!
Thanks so much it was a tough one! You should run it next year it is usually a beautiful time of year to run here
Yay! Congrats on a good race! Such a good feeling to finish better than we expected! Sounds like you trained just right for this race!
Thanks so much I feel like I did my best that day
Kudos to you for showing up and running; and congrats on doing better than you expected! The wind forecast was ominous, to say the least.
It really was crazy for April in DC! Thanks I felt like I gave it all I had that day
Congrats on finishing! I saw the post where the race directors announced what there wouldnt be at that race because of the wind and it can be very discouraging. Come, run, but we are not doing anything else because of the wind. You are a warrior for lining up and crossing the finish line.
Thanks so much! Felt like I really earned that medal
Congrats on finishing the race. That’s a really nice medal, I love the cherry blossom theme! I’m looking forward to seeing some warmer weather soon, hopefully in time for a race in 2 weeks.
Thanks and yes me too it’s been feeling more like winter
Congratulation for the prize. by the way nice all in all
First of all congrats and glad injury did not get in your way! Love love love the beautiful medal for the race. DC must be so pretty right now! The wind that day was insane. I ran a 14 miler here in New Hampshire and almost blew away!
It was crazy windy-what doesn’t kill you…. right!
Love that quote about finish lines and not finish times. Good for you for pushing through in awful conditions. That is not fun but you overcame all the challenges. Yeah !
Thanks so much it was a tough one
I’m late to the congratulatory party, but congrats on your finish! I was definitely thinking of you while I ran indoors – those temperatures and that wind was incredible!!
Thanks! It was a crazy weather day
It seemed SO COLD for the race, haha! Bet it was beautiful to see all the cherry blossoms 🙂
All of the cherry blossoms had pretty much blown away in the crazy wind!