This weekend I ran the 10 mile race of the 2018 Reston Perfect 10 put on by Potomac River Running. I’ve run this race several times before–and twice as many times if you count the Reston 10 Miler that shares the same course in March.
2018 Reston Perfect 10 Race Recap
This race has an 8:00 start, but I needed to pick up my bib and the event is a solid 45 minutes away, so I wanted to be on the road by 6:30. With no traffic, easy parking, and cheerful volunteers, I had my bib by 7:20. Since it was a bit chilly, I stayed in my car until 7:30, and then did a bit of a warm-up–and last-minute trip to the port-a-pottys–before heading to the starting line.
The starting line area a few minutes before 8:00 am!
The race started promptly at 8:00 with no fanfare. In fact, there was so little fanfare I thought people were just lining up when the race had actually started. My Garmin was still locating a GPS signal, so I stepped aside until it was ready. That meant I had to do some weaving during the first 1/4 mile, but it also meant I didn’t start out too fast.
My pace is always uneven on this course, but the elevation is pretty uneven too.
I was working harder than my recent long runs.
When I reached mile 7 I felt like I had a lot left in the tank, and tried to pick up my pace. The last mile is mostly downhill, and I took advantage of gravity working in my favor. I had enough energy for a final push to the finish, but the last bit of the course was through a parking lot with uneven asphalt–which I didn’t want to be eating after last Sunday’s run! The finish line itself is on the high school track, but unlike most years it was right where we reached the track, instead of being 100-200 meters later, so I didn’t even get a short sprint in.
Am I too color-coordinated?
You bet I raced in my new Mizunos!Â
I thought about trying to align my left sock for this photo,
but I opted to #keepitreal.
I was pleased enough with how I ran this race–I ran on the comfortable side of comfortably hard, finished strong, and ended up with a sub-9 average pace–but even happier when I saw I placed 3rd in my age group. 🙂
Weekly Wrap
I usually skip my weekly wrap when I have a race recap, but I don’t want to forget about my trip to Chicago this week. In case you missed it, I shared more #runrise pictures in my Friday Five Runfessions post.
Monday: 5K Fun Run in Chicago
The conference I was attending has a guided fun run as one of the optional events. Sure, a 6 am 5K puts a damper on the Sunday evening “networking” events, but it’s a good way to meet people with similar priorities.
This view is totally worth missing another round at the open bar.
Tuesday: Hotel Gym Strength Workout
I was planning to do a short strength workout until it was light enough to get photos at the Cloud Gate sculpture, but it was raining and the one piece of running gear I had not brought with me was a hat!
The rain did let up enough for a walk around the block to Starbucks.
I love Chicago architecture!
Wednesday: 1.5 mile walk with Scooby
This was basically a rest day, but I got some fresh air walking with Scooby.
Thursday: 4.4 mile run
I was dressed for yoga when I took Scooby out for his walk, but it was SO NICE I decided to go for a run instead. I had to go back for running shoes and left him at home–which is how I was able to get this picture of a neighborhood deer.
It’s paces like this that make me doubt my new Brooks Ravena.Â
Friday: Orange Theory Fitness
I was hoping for speed work during the treadmill block but we did incline intervals instead: repeats of 0.2 miles at push pace at 5% incline followed by 0.1 miles at recovery pace at 1% incline for about 5 minutes, and then a walking recovery, and then similar repeats at 4% incline. I decided it would be good practice for the hilly course of the Reston Perfect 10. The strength block included two cores moves that I am still feeling!.
Saturday: 29 miles cycling (2 hrs)
We did the Conte’s Alexandria ride this week, but rode from home instead of driving there to save the hassle of loading up the bikes and finding parking. It was perfect weather and we really enjoyed the time outside.
Sunday: Reston Perfect 10!
Join the Weekly Wrap link up hosted by Holly and Wendy!
Don’t forget to join Deborah and me for the Ultimate Coffee Date link up next weekend!
![The Ultimate Coffee Date](http://got2run4me.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Ultimate-Coffee-Date.png" "The Ultimate Coffee Date")
I always appreciate color coordination! Nice job out there today and congrats on the AG placement. Great weather finally!
Thanks! The weather really is fantastic — finally!
I love your color coordination for the race! I have those same socks and love them 🙂
Congrats on placing 3rd in your AG for the race. That elevation chart made me do a double take. Definitely not a flat course!
There’s hardly a flat stretch at all — at least the hills are rolling except for that one stretch.
You did great on your race! I noticed the socks misalignment right away LOL (#artgeek #details), but I also would have kept it real (like you did) 😉
Glad I fessed up to it! I’m not an art freak but I like order and symmetry. 😉
Congrats on the AG award! In a longer race, like a 10 miler, an AG placement is always a treat!
I hope the next time you come to Chicago we can meet up!
Maybe next-next time. 😛
Great job! My race is next weekend, and should be relatively flat. I had a great run today where I rarely looked at my Garmin, and I’m hoping I can have that feeling for my race.
It is the best feeling!
Congrats on a strong race and woot for the AG place! I love that the conference had a fun run for you. Awesome!
It’s become a tradition – the first one was in Boston. The best one was in Vancouver. 🙂
Congratulations on your 3rd place race! That’s awesome. You’re an inspiration!
Aw, thanks! It’s a tough course but I like it.
Wow, you really rocked your race. Look at those mile splits! Congrats on such a strong finish. It sounds like you had a busy and great week!
You did a fantastic job pacing your race and finishing strong. Congrats on the AG award too! A guided fun run sounds like the perfect way to explore the city. It’s great they gave you that option at the conference. Thanks for linking!
That’s great that you had a strong race! I did this race one year and remember the crazy hills.
At least now I know what to expect!
You can’t be too color-coordinated LOL
Congrats on a great race. Whoa..those are some hills!!!!!!!!!
Running is the best way to see a city. Love a fun run!!!
The guided fun runs are great because the guides tell us a bit about the city too.
I love ten milers and it sounds like you had a great run! And I love the color coordination. I am all for that! Way to go!
Thanks. Can you tell blue is my favorite color? 🙂
Congrats on having an awesome race and AG win! I need to do more races in your area, and you’ve always said good things about this one!
Glad you enjoyed time in Chicago – argh, still on my bucket list as I’ve never visited!
Another nice think about this one is that it doesn’t sell out — so you don’t have to sign up months in advance. “-)
Congrats on the AG placement! There’s a great 10 miler in Atlanta, but I’m yet to do one. Everyone tells me that it might a perfect distance.
I definitely love the 10 mile distance!
That elevation, though! Yikes!
Congratulations on your AG place! That’s awesome!
No “fall” races yet for me. I have one in two weeks, but I don’t know how fall-like it’s going to feel. I guess we will see.
Great job on the bike and I absolutely love seeing that deer. I wish I could see more of them on my runs.
Thanks. The deer can be scary when they come out of nowhere!
Wow, congrats on the AG award! It was a beautiful morning for a race, and since you also are very familiar with the course you took full advantage of both factors. Way to go!
Thanks! It’s a challenging course but it helps that the last mile is easier!
Congrats on an amazing race!
Your OTF workouts are what I love about Mile HIgh Run Club – inclines and flying sprints are wonderful. I really, really need to get back to them
Congrats on an awesome race and your AG placement–that’s awesome! :]! I love your socks too!
Yay!! Well done on a great race – you ran strong and smart. And a 3rd place finish is the cherry on top! Also, how awesome that the conference had an optional fun run – I haven’t seen that before but I think I would actually prefer that to the more formal networking sessions 🙂
Congrats on placing 3rd in your AG on a very hilly course! I’ve run the Reston 10-Miler several times, and you’re exactly when you say, “the elevation is pretty uneven.” I cracked up at that description!
Congrats on running a strong race and on your AG! And, your outfit was definitely on point 😉