| Author |
Topic: Army Ten Miler,.. America's Largest.. RR |
perchcreek
Cool Runner |
 posted Oct-08-2007 10:17 AM
   
This was a fun, hot event. Like the Marine Corp Marathon, this was a mega event for DC. 26,000 registered runners for the Army 10 miler race (ATM). 17,600 finished. As I was driving up from N. Carolina on Saturday, the news weather was saying, a hot and muggy weekend, not good for walking outside!
Oh boy (I mean, just the way I like it). I originally wanted to run this and break 7:40 pace for a 10 mile PR (my current PR being the split in a half marathon). Due to the heat I was willing to accept the following:1. anything in the 7's so sub 1:20
2. a good training stimulus (sustained high HR)
3. no injuries (wait, that's really number one!)
4. Enjoy the experience I stayed at my folks (bonus!) in Vienna VA and drove to the Metrorail station at 6 am.(they opened all Metro stations an hour earlier on Race Day Sunday!). This was cool. The train loads with hundreds of runners at this, the first, farthest out station. Then as we head towards Arlington, more and more runners get on. The thing is packed by the time we get to the Pentagon where the race is staged. After a convenient garment check (towel and change for after the race), I headed for the start area. There, for about 20 minutes, there was a parachuting air show. Very nice landings! National anthem to a flag coming down from the sky! As it got closer to the 8:00 start I did some warmup running and then got in the last corral in the first wave (pace 7:00-8:00). Each corral was color coded and based on predicted finish time. There were alot of runners from the faster corrals in our corral .. the heat factor. The next days Washington Post said it was 70F and 94% humidity at the start! As we were lined up there was a very cool flyover by 4 black hawk helocopters, right above us. Then two large artillary cannons were fired for the start. And we were off, not. We did get moving by the time we got to the start mats. By mile 1 the HR was up into the upper 160's (LT pace for me). I don't have good splits because the signs were hard to see from within the crowds. Yes crowds. It was very crowded, start to finish. I settled into a 7:50 pace but lost some time hydrating. As I'm huffing along, I hear Yankee Doodle flute music. This guy is playing the flute while running (now that is some aerobic capacity!). It was great with thousands of spectators cheering us on. I was focussing on not melting.
When I got to the 14th st bridge (two "hills") going over the Potomac river, I was pushing it with the HR in the 170's. Then I hear the sound of metal on asphalt coming up behind me. A runner with a prosthetic gaining. There were lots of them doing very well. Very inspiring.(political comments omitted). After the 14th st bridge it was down a ramp and to the finish. Since I never know if I'm close to some time goal, I kicked it in and sprinted to the finish. Good thing I did.. Final time 1:19:51 (7:59 pace AHR 169, max 177). That was a great workout in the heat and I think I paced it just right for the conditions. Since this was my first 10 mile race it is a PR. Met all the heat adjusted goals! 2269 / 17,633 OA (top 13%) Steve ------------------
My Profile Water Running
IP: Logged |
shortknee1
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-08-2007 10:21 AM
Great job Steve. I was huffing and puffing through 20 miles just up the Potomac. Man, that weather was brutal. Your finish time in these conditions is something to be really proud of.C
IP: Logged |
hally
Moderator of Boomers and Beyond |
posted Oct-08-2007 10:21 AM
WTG on meeting your time goal Steve! Greta report, hope you are feeling fine today.Barb
IP: Logged |
Tramps
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-08-2007 10:26 AM
Great workout on a nasty day, Steve. Smart pacing seemed to be the key....something I have a lot to learn about. I've heard so many horror stories about maneuvering through the crowds at this race, I'm glad you were able to manage so well. Congrats.
IP: Logged |
WillRunForBeer
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-08-2007 10:28 AM
As I was struggling on an easy run yesterday in I assume the same conditions so I know it must have been tough for you.Great job to meet your goal, and best of luck for Richmond. Hopefully it'll cool down by then. Lou
IP: Logged |
tnally
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-08-2007 10:38 AM
Good job Steve. The conditions were not favorable to a good run, but you pulled it off. I think you ran a very smart race, having adjusted your goals to meet the conditions of race day. No foot problems?Tom
IP: Logged |
euphoric
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-08-2007 10:43 AM
Great report! Congratulations!!! Great stats.Signed, 8016/17633
IP: Logged |
vista129
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-08-2007 11:01 AM
Thanks for the RR.That Metro ride from out there into the city is often crowded anyway, to have it fillled with runners would have been interesting to see going in and stinky coming back out. Washington is a nice city to run in but those humid conditions combined with the sheer volume of runners would have been frustrating to encounter while trying to race. It sounds like you did a good job and that kick at the end left you with a good time for sure. Thanks for the report. ------------------
vista129
IP: Logged |
JJJessee
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-08-2007 11:06 AM
Great run Steve and smart move on the pace adjustment.
Your overall placement looks fantastic.
You're definately tough enough for the Army.
jjj[This message has been edited by JJJessee (edited Oct-08-2007).]
IP: Logged |
John2635
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-08-2007 11:20 AM
Congrats on meeting your heat adjusted goals and your fast finish. Sounds like you did good in the heat & humidity. I can't even imagine those conditions as here in Oregon it's freezing.John
IP: Logged |
hollys4874
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-08-2007 11:36 AM
Perch – Excellent! Congratulations on your PR – doubly impressive considering the heat and crowd. I’d bet you’ve got a much faster time in you at this distance on a cooler day.------------------
Holly
IP: Logged |
Spareribs
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-08-2007 11:55 AM
Perfect planning and execution on a very tough day. This race is a real confidence builder; imagine what you could have done to this distance on a cool day. Spareribs
IP: Logged |
Caddisfli
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-08-2007 12:00 PM
Great Run on a tough day Steve! It appears you met all four goals and that is quite an accomplishment. It sounds like a grand event. Thanks for sharing with us.
Cfli
IP: Logged |
Econo
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-08-2007 12:26 PM
Whew!! Glad to hear that you did so well, and in such a huge crowded & hot conditions. Yet -- with the parachuting show and everything -- nice to be a part of a mega event like this!
IP: Logged |
MarkGuy
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-08-2007 12:38 PM
Steve, very smart to back off on your goal and it paid off. Nice time given the conditions.
IP: Logged |
hermosaboy
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-08-2007 12:43 PM
You did a GREAT job of planning and executing.Congratulations!!!
IP: Logged |
tallrunner
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-08-2007 01:21 PM
SteveAwesome job in hot weather. You executed perfectly. Your ready for your next marathon. Tall
IP: Logged |
Lil Engine
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-08-2007 01:26 PM
Wow, talk about knowing what to expect from yourself. You couldn't have met your goals any more accurately. Impressive!------------------
Lil Engine (aka Welsh Pony)
"I think I can, I think I can"
IP: Logged |
millbot
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-08-2007 01:53 PM
Steve, nicely done in the not-nice weather. (I get the "no whining" thing, but holy cow, this is October!  ) I hope your foot continues to cooperate.
IP: Logged |
tselbs
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-08-2007 02:01 PM
Great race, perch. You were smart in evaluating the tough conditions and adjusting your goals. Your pacing was right on for meeting those goals. Congratulations on a smart and well run race.TomS ------------------
My Profile
IP: Logged |
DaveinAA
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-08-2007 02:14 PM
What is it with you and these too-close-for-comfort finishes? On a hot day like this, the expression "well done" seems especially appropriate. Congrats!
IP: Logged |
Canfit
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-09-2007 05:41 PM
A belated congrats, Steve, on a great race! 10-milers are a great test of fitness since you can run them very close to LT/tempo pace and they give you a pretty clear picture of where your training is at. I raced my first 10-miler earlier this summer under better temps and managed 1:21. From following your training, I sense you're ready to post a pretty good time in Richmond. Continued good training!
PJ
IP: Logged |
dgb2n
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-09-2007 06:27 PM
Great run, Perch. Sounds like we finished very close to each other give or take the difference at the starting line. I heard about but didn't witness the piper. My race report over in the Race Reports forum but it didn't get much of a reception. Much friendlier over here.As a nearly 20 year Army veteran, it's nice to hear that you enjoyed the race. It is hard to run it without seeing the commitment from the family members, survivors, and active duty folks. ------------------
My Running Log My User Profile
IP: Logged |
tomwhite
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-09-2007 07:22 PM
...Damn Fine Running perch//..........thought you were Hurt.............this doesn't look like Hurt,,,,,nice job,,,,,,
IP: Logged |
choover
Cool Runner |
posted Oct-09-2007 09:38 PM
Hiya Perch,This is on Mr C's and my To Do List someday... But I sure hope we won't have to deal with those high temps and humidity. Congrats on a great job! I'm very impressed
IP: Logged |
