It’s been a few years since I did the Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run but 2023 proved to be a good year for a comeback. Although the trees were past peak bloom, there was still a tinge of pink along Hains Point, and the blue skies almost made up for the brisk wind.
Thanks to Carianne for being my post-race photographer!
2023 Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run Race Recap
The weather forecast called for low 40s with sun and wind, so I was going to wear my long-sleeve Cherry Blossom top, but after Facebook reminded me that I always wear a t-shrit for this race, I opted for short sleeves. It was definitely the right decision even though I was freezing waiting in the long bag check pick up line after the race.
On my way to the bag check area I spotted a small bathroom building that was both open and empty. Was I in the twilight zone? Tip for locals—it’s the small building behind the Slyvan Theater.
View from the orange corral
I wore a warm throw-away top I rescued from our donation pile until the last minute, and was barely cold for the first 1/4 mile. For the first 5 miles I ran at a comfortably hard pace but wasn’t watching my split times. When I saw I was going “too fast” I pulled back to save myself for Hains Point.
I decided to approach Hains Point as its own 3 mile run, and ticked off those miles one by one. It was going pretty well until we rounded the point and faced a headwind.
Still pretty!
I feel like I gave it my all during that last mile, and was pleased with my finish time. I was really pleased that I ran the whole way with no random twinges, injuries, or complaints from my lower extremities.
I’m so glad a took a heat sheet from the finish area because I cooled down quickly and got really cold waiting in the long line to retrieve my bag from the bag check area. (It was sort of the top of a hill and there was no shelter from the cold wind.) Once I stopped shivering I found Kim and joined her sitting in the sunshine sheltered from the wind by a medical tent. It wasn’t long before Cari found us and we celebrated our good times.
I was too cold to take off my jacket!
I’m joining the Tuesday Topics link up hosted by Kim and Zenaida. I get Vitamin C by eating an orange or grapefruit every day. 😉
Do you typically use bag check at a race?
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Well done, Coco!! I’m so glad you did this race despite all the turmoil with your mum.
That course still looks beautiful! Your photos look so bright and sunny – it’s hard to believe that it was freezing cold! 😉
Awesome job on another race finish Coco! I love that you found an empty bathroom right before the race – that never happens!
I was so confused!
Shoot #FacePalm, I forgot to include the pic of us after the race. I’ll go back and add that later (I was up until after midnight, last night, getting my recap finished, so my brain was slowly turning to jello). But, a huge congrats on your pacing and awesome finish time! The wind was so rude after the turn at Hains Point!
I’m impressed you got your recap done with your traveling!
You had an awesome race!
Congrats on a great run–sounds like tough conditions!!! You’ve had a rough couple of weeks, so I’m sure this felt good.
Congrats again on a fabulous race! Way to tackle the wind. No, I never check a bag!
I hope I never have to again — at least not at such a big race. 😉
Wow, you did great! That’s an impressive finish time. The photos look beautiful- it sounds like the weather was perfect (for running- not sitting around afterwards.) I’m glad you ended up running this race!
Thanks so much. It was a pretty day but chilly!
You did awesome. Great finish time and no pain. Woo boo!
I usually use bag check if it’s convenient. I wear thruways but then I freeze after the race if I don’t check a bag.
It’s also fun to meet up with friends after.
I want to add this race to my schedule one year.
You would really enjoy it!
Congrats on your race! One year I will run it. Good to know you found a real bathroom prior to the race. Ugh on waiting that long to retrieve your bag. I did it in NYC and it was quick to get it.
Thanks. That bathroom was quite a lucky find!
What a great race! And you did so amazing!
Love all the incredible photo ops! It must be so incredible to be in DC, running through those cherry blossoms. Sigh.
I sometimes use race check. I usually don’t get to experience those kinds of huge races, so I am usually parked close enough to just use my car rather than gear check.
I probably could have gone back to my car in the time it took me to wait in that line, but then I might not have gone back to hang out.
Congrats Coco! Great job facing that wind and yay for no pain!
Thanks!
So glad y0u were able to make it to the CB10 and had such a great run after the craziness of the month! I usually check a bag because I run hot and then freeze!
Same – I almost didn’t take a heat sheet when I finished because I was so warm but it didn’t take me long to be freezing!
Glad your race went well despite the winter/spring you’ve had. I hate Hains Point, especially since The Awakening was moved to National Harbor. I used to look forward to seeing it at the halfway point of HP.
Way back when I ran the Cherry Blossom 10-Miler, bag check wasn’t a “check” at all. There was a knee-high fence corral where you could leave your bag and nobody watch it. It was right next to the race morning packet pickup tables. Those were the days…
I never ran Hains Point while the Awakening was there, but I have run to National Harbor to see it. 😉
Congrats! So glad you got to run this race! I was just catching up on blogs and saw you were still wondering if it was going to happen. Also great news you felt good running! The picture of the cars in your last post was good to know – yikes!
I never used to do bag drop, but after trying out I really like having some clothes or even my phone, in a bag waiting for me!
Awesome race Coco! Congratulations. What a strong performance. Looks like a perfect day! It’s amazing how much you warm up while running, but it’s hard to stand around waiting while cold 🙂
Love the locals’ tip on the hidden bathroom!