RESULT: 24TH PLACE
TIME: 51:44, PR*
PACE: 5:10
I arrived at the Pentagon parking lot at 6:20 AM. I chilled out in my car for a bit, and then headed towards the race starting area around 6:45 AM. Crowds of runners everywhere. This race was HUGE. Too many people. I made my way to the baggage area to drop off some stuff and do a warm-up. I made the warm-up pretty short(10 min), and did plenty of stretching. We lined up on the front start line behind the wounded warriors and wheelchair athletes. An honorable event this is. There was a moment of silence in remembrance of lost soldiers/fighters/loved ones overseas. The sun came up quietly in the distance, with a beautiful clear blue sky for it to fill up. I found Matt at the start and we got ready in position.
BOOM!
We blasted out on Jefferson Davis Highway. I went out conservative and felt pretty relaxed. Plenty of runners started out in front of me. I hit Mile 1 in 5:10. We then made our way uphill around the ramp towards the Arlington Bridge. I then began to pump my arms a bit and pass runners. I moved up not too far away from Sam Luff(GRC's top runner), up ahead. We then crossed the Arlington Bridge and the sun was strong. Should've worn the shades, dammit. I saw Beth and her Mom cheering at the end of the bridge in front of the Lincoln Memorial. I also heard the GRC guys cheering for me, then behind me Jake and Dave, who I knew were salivating to catch me. I hit Mile 2 in 10:20, another 5:10 split. I surged onto Constitution Avenue and ditched my gloves around Mile 2.5. We ran on the rolling Virginia Avenue. Mile 3 was 15:20s(closer to 5:00 split). I was rolling. I came up on a runner in red and together we worked back and forth for a bit. I ended up meeting him after the race-he came all the way from Alabama. We made another turn and blasted towards the Kennedy Center. Mile 4: 20:30ish(5:10 split).
We went underneath the Arlington Bridge up towards Independence Avenue. I saw Beth and her Mom again cheering. I wanted to stop and kiss/hug her. Gotta keep going though...
Mile 5: 25:35(5:15 split). A little slow, but I was in perfect position for +/- 51:00. This course was also not easy, in my opinion. There were lots of turns, and the inclines were certainly more prevalent than the Cherry Blossom course. I pushed on through to the second half of the race, where the pain begins to set in...
I continued down Independence...alone. The runner in red had gone up ahead with Sam and a few others. I split 31:54(5:08 pace) at 10K. I kept them in my sight, but it was difficult to reel them in. I could also hear Jake and Dave and a few others not far behind, which was motivating. So I ran scared. Crowds were all over the place as I headed towards our Nation's Capitol. Racing in DC is f%ckin awesome. I then made the awkward square loop that had like 4 turns. That sucked. I headed back on Independence towards the 14th Street Bridge. I split a few ticks over 36:00 at the 7 mile mark. 3 miles to go. Time get tough.
Well, the 14th street bridge was tough. I could see some runners up ahead, but was still running alone. I know how to push myself though. I hammered across the bridge and my endurance was there. My turnover was still good, and I climbed up the gradual inclines steadily. I could hear, however, Jake and Dave not far behind. Mile 8 I split a 5:15, which was a little slow again but also I was going slightly uphill. I knew I had enough left to finish strong the last 2 miles. I just had to get across this damn bridge!
The bridge seemed like it would never end. I then hit Mile 9 in 46:30(a 5:12 split), but I heard footsteps behind me.
Son of a bitch. I made the downhill exit off the bridge(thank god). The runner was close behind.
Who was it? I immediately guessed it was GRC's #2 man Jake running me down.
Dammit. I surged as I made a right turn up the freeway toward the finish. Not far now.
Just hold on!!!
The runner then came up on me and surged in front. I was surprised to notice it was not Jake. This guy was a GIANT, easily a foot taller than I(or so it seemed). He was coming on strong. He had an American flag on the back of his jersey.
He would not win that easy. I am never easy to beat. I will make it hell for him to beat me.
I hung on to him and surged to make a move, sprinting ahead. People cheered as we roared towards the finish. He then ran up beside me and passed me again.
Dammit.
I didn't have much left. I surged one last move on him but was no match for his last kick. He beat me in the last 50 yards and I settled but ran strong toward the finish.
I'm not sure if it was or not, but I have heard rumors of the course being a bit long. Jake Klim, who I find knows many of DC's races all too well, and is not the type of person to question distances usually, writes about the course: check out his blog
www.jakeklim.blogspot.com.
At any rate, I am happy with the effort I gave and how strong I felt. My target was 51:00 give or take, and this was a great turnaround for me from last month's half marathon. I am feeling great.
I am also very proud of Maria who PRed by 2+ minutes(also weaving around slower runners) to finish in 82:00.
I went right into high mileage again this week, in preparation for the marathon. The day after the race I actually ran 17 miles. I did not do a trackworkout this week though so I could recover from the intensity, in anticipation of a hard long run this Saturday. Should be over 100 this week.
