runningindc
Cool Runner |
 posted Apr-22-2007 04:39 PM
   
The George Washington Parkway Classic 10 miler Short Report
Overall 2394/2516 Age group 35/41
Chip time: 1:57:29 for an avg. 11:44 m/m (PR)
Garmin time: 10.1 miles in 1:56:54 for an avg. 11:34 m/m Now for the rest of the story
My running friend convinced me to sign up for this race, as I really didn’t want to do another 10 miler so close to the Cherry Blossom(on 4/1), but I am easily persuaded when it comes to running races.  And I am so glad that I did this one. My race day started the day before at packet pick up. The local running store, Pacers, was hosting a free…that’s right free…pasta lunch for the first 75 that signed up for it, and we got to hear Dick Beardsley speak. It was an honor to hear him tell his story and the pasta lunch wasn’t half bad either. The race begins at Mt. Vernon estate and runs into Old Town Alexandria along the George Washington Parkway (hence the name, clever huh). The Parkway is closed to traffic for the run and it is a beautiful race along the Potomac River. Spring has sprung here in the metro area and the trees were beautiful, evrything is in bloom and the water appeared inviting (if the Potomac could ever be inviting). You are bussed from Old Town to the start of the race, and we arrived about 45 minutes before the scheduled start. Plenty of time to wander around, visit the porta-pots a couple of times and just enjoy the nice spring morning. And of course, lots of time to worry because you forgot to put your ITB strap on, or use the body glide when getting ready at 5:30 a.m.  Yikes A bit concerned, my running friends assured me I would do just fine. Fashion report: CW-x navy and black compression shorts, Hind beige and white singlet with pink/orange piping, fox river socks, Asics Gel VIII in orange and white, white enell “the boob crusher” running bra, white stretchy hat, sunglasses and a thin blue wrist band for my garmin to rest upon. Not my most coordinated outfit.  The sun was shining and promised to do so for the whole run. About 5 minutes before the scheduled start we all headed to an area that looked like the start…no banner, or anything, but a couple of taped lines across the blacktop. Milling around (no corrals) the race was a few minutes late starting. Then, just as we were wondering if we were at the start or when it would start, without warning, the gun went off and we were off.  It was crowded for the first half a mile or so but once the crowds thinned out, it was a very pleasant run all the way into Old Town. Some hills (nothing too big) but mostly downhill, flat and fast. You had the river flowing by on the right and a few spectators every now and again on the left cheering us on. Very, very nice. I grabbed a cup of water at the first water stop and took a few sips, then took water, an espresso Gu, and walked about a minute at the 5 mile point. Then took a wee bit more water at the next water stop and then drank from my own bottle the rest of the way. I had one more Gu with me, but didn’t use it, and still had most of my own water with me at the end (and did not have to stop and pee, nice. Not having that extra cup of coffee sure did help ). My goal was to try and keep the miles pretty even paced, finish in around 2 hours, and run hard enough that I wouldn’t have much left in the tank at the end, but that I wouldn’t kill the old boomer body.
The Garmin says: 10.1 miles in 1:56:54 for an avg. 11:34 m/m.
First five: 11:55, 11:43, 12:10, 12:08, 11:59,
Second five: 11:10, 11:26, 11:15, 11:25, 10:49, and that .1 was at a 7:39 pace.
And I did not have anything left in the tank at the end, as for the boomer body, tomorrow will tell that story. The chip had a slightly different result (1:57:29 for an avg. 11:44 m/m), but close enough for government work. All and all a very nice run, race, and experience. Thanks to all here on the CR boomers board, because of your advice I am a much better runner today. Group hug please 
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