How do you recap your 8th time running the Army Ten Miler? I’ll start at the end and then go back to the beginning. I came close to last year’s PR, running it in my second fastest time. My foot was fine. The weather was fantastic. The bridge still sucked but I won that mental battle and finished strong.
My husband picked this weekend to host his annual office get-together. We decided that getting chili from Hard Times Cafe was the easiest way to have hearty and vegetarian options, but I knew loading up on chili might lead to regrets (or worse) on race day. I carbo-loaded with chips, pasta salad and the apple pie that someone made from apple trees in their backyard–you just can’t pass that up! I sipped one beer over the course of the evening and drank lots of water.
Before I went to bed I put out all my gear, and left myself this important note:
“Garmin” written on a sticky note from the Lawyers Have Heart 10K.
What other race gives you sticky notes as swag?
I thought I set my alarm for 5:00 am, but really I just turned on my 5 am alarm that is set up to go off on weekdays. That could have been a major fail, but I also have my Vivosmart set to go off at 5:00 am every day, and that woke me up. Phew!
After my usual race morning routine (shower, dog walk, PB toast, one cup of coffee, several trips to the bathroom), I was ready to head out.
Yes, I do like to wear Pavement Runner’s shirts for my races.
We left the house a bit later than usual (~6:30) and paid the price with heavy traffic around the Pentagon. We still were able to find parking by 7:00 am, but next year we will try to leave earlier again.
My husband walked with me as far as he could, and then I headed to my corral. The corral was still pretty empty, so I snuck my phone out for a picture.
I always am moved by the singing of the Star Spangled Banner before races, but it is even more special at the start of the Army Ten Miler, in the shadow of the Pentagon, surrounded by soldiers, as the wounded warriors are about to get their head start. I really am thankful to live in this country, and grateful to all who serve.
I was in the second wave, but they gave each wave a countdown and cannon start, which I thought was really cool. As I was running the course, though, whenever I heard a distant “boom” I couldn’t help but think of the Hunger Games!
The course was the same as last year, which put the bridge at miles 7-8. I used my Garmin 225 to monitor my pace. I saw sub-8:00 a few times during the first few miles, but knew that was not sustainable. I aimed for 8:15, which felt do-able. The 8:21 split for mile 6 reflects some crowded turns (that’s where we run around the block to make that little square on the course map) but when I saw my pace lagging I was able to kick it up again. I’m surprised and pleased at how well I did across the bridge, but can see it took a toll on those last two miles!
8:09, 8:02, 8:08, 8:01, 8:08, 8:21, 8:16, 8:21, 8:33, 8:28
The Army Ten Miler does finisher coins instead of ribbonned medals.
My husband tells me it’s a military thing.
We took the shuttle bus back towards where we had parked, stopped at Starbucks for my post-race ice bath coffee, and headed home. We didn’t have to stop for ice since there was enough left in the cooler from our get-together. My husband’s sherpa duties now include lugging a cooler upstairs and dumping it out on me in the bath tub. 😉
That 10K time must be wrong!
My official finish pace is 8:20, but according to my Garmin I ran an 8:15 pace over 10.1 miles. Either way, it was my second fastest time. I knew I was not trained to beat last year’s PR, and was thrilled to beat my 2013 time–even if only by a few seconds.
[Tweet “2015 #ArmyTenMiler Race Recap and Linkup #runchat”]
All of my race gear worked out well. I had Nuun in my water bottle and really appreciated not fussing with a fuel belt that won’t stay put now that I have the Orange Mud Hydraquiver. When I finished my race I noticed that my instep felt a bit sore–as if it were bruised. I will have to scrutinize my new WaveInspire 12s and make sure they aren’t the source of that problem. I haven’t noticed any soreness after other runs, but the last thing I want is for new shoes to give me a new injury!
Next up on my race calendar: The Race To End Womens Cancer 5K on November 8 and the .US National 12K on November 15–my last race as a 47-year-old!
Do you have any big goals left to conquer in 2015?
[inlinkz_linkup id=572012 mode=1]
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Awesome! Congrats!!
That race is going to be on the 2016 schedule!
My goal was to run a half in 2:15 by the end of the year….)yesterday ,i ran the rnr brooklyn and came in between 2:13-2:14 ;). I ran a 10:14 pace. So now for my last race in Dec, I am hoping to hit around the same pace.
Congrats to you too! You would LOVE the ATM!
way to go! it was a lovely day for a race. this was my first army ten miler – i loved it. the bridge stinks, but it was good mental practice for running that bridge in two weeks for marine corps! 🙂 will join your linkup this week!
It’s such a fantastic race, isn’t it? And I know MCM will be even more amazing for you!
Great race and pace! So glad your foot was fine. Yay!
Wow. Amazing job, you are coming back so strong!!!
Seeeeee!! 🙂 I knew you’d do better than you thought you would! Congrats!
I drew on your confidence in me whenever I felt like I was flagging! 🙂
Wow! Amazing pace and finish time! I really like that they give a coin instead of a medal – very unique! It seems like this was a very well organized race. I think I’ll need to add this to my bucket list for races 🙂
The Army knows how to organize and mobilize for sure!
Great race! The ATM is one of my favorite races. I have only gotten to run it once but I ran with my Veteran husband 🙂 I too got choked up as the anthem played … I’ve never been anywhere where that many people were SILENT. chills.
Way to spank this one right off of your foot injury! Wow! They gave finisher coins the inaugural year of Fort2Base here but medals in the following years. I don’t think people knew what the coins were or wanted a way to hang them. Congrats!
I guess the Army is sticking with medals. I have 7 in my stack now (don’t know if I lost one or missed getting one one year?).
Great recap and way to come back strong!
Thanks! And thanks for linking up your recap.
What a way to come back from an injury!! Wow that’s great. Beautiful day for it too
I love that you run this every year and share the experience with us. xoxoxo
Thanks for reading my recaps every year. 😉
Great job on the race! It sounds like you really pushed it. I had considered this one (I had a 10 mile training run this weekend anyway) but once I learned I was going to have a work trip last week, I decided I was better off without any complicating logistics. I’d still love to try it one year.
With 35,000 runners, there are a LOT of logistics involved, but it’s worth it if you can make it a key race on your calendar.
OMG, look at your fantastic time! That must have felt wonderful 🙂
The coins are very cool. I tried the hydraquiver but I could not reach the bottles, it is an awesome vest and I wished I could have made it work.
Well done, I am glad you had a great day!
Hmm, I guess I do reach a bit to grab the water bottle, but I find the funnel shape of the pocket guides it in, so I can just drop it back into place.
Congrats!!! So glad to hear your foot felt good during the face. And ha! Now that you mention the cannons going off like the start of the Hunger Games, that’s what I’m going to think of now whenever I hear them!
It’s amazing how a movie can get into your psyche! Of course, I’ve watched that one a few times. 😉
Awesome job! I was really bummed that I had to sit this out but it was for the best!! I love this race and all military races. And yes, the coin is definitely a military tradition!!
I cant believe how many friends I had running this race too.
online
offline
college friends.
SO SO SO GLAD YOUR FOOT FELT GOOD!
Great job miss speed demon! 🙂 You are amazing. Great work in this race. I’ve never done a DC race but I feel like I have to at some point; it seems so patriotic.
My only 2015 goal at this point is to recover from injuries so I can come back strong in 2016!
I love 10-milers! I recently had a 10-mile race (and PR;d it), it’s a great distance because it’s unique. It’s long, but not quite as demanding as a half marathon…which also makes it a quicker paced endeavor. Great job! That’s an awesome finish time!!
Thanks! You’re welcome to link up your race recap if you did one. 😉
So many congrats! What great paces! Haha, that 10k pace is indeed a bit of a jump, lol, but run with it ;D