I wasn’t sure I’d make it to the starting line of the 2023 Parkway Classic until this weekend, and I wasn’t sure I’d make it to the finish line until I convinced myself to just keep running until I got to mile 5. I have so many mixed feelings about this race, I’m still processing them.
Love this photo op!
2023 Parkway Classic Recap
I spent the night at my Mom’s the night before the race, which ended up being a help to me because storms knocked out power at home but not at her house. We came over with Scooby mid-afternoon, ordered take-out pizza for dinner, and then my husband and Scooby went home while I stayed with my Mom.
My husband came back in the morning to drive me to the starting area, which was barely 10 minutes from my Mom’s house. It was in the low 50s and sunny—I didn’t even want the long-sleeves or heat sheet I brought to wear pre-race. I jogged around a bit and took my usual selfie in front of the Mt. Vernon gates.
After a few words from the head of the National Park Service, the Mayor of Alexandria (who was running the race), and a lovely rendition of the national anthem, the announcer read some “encouraging words” he said he got from ChatGPT. It was pretty good for a string of clichés. 🙃
I didn’t take any pictures while I ran, so I’ll have to use my Garmin data to tell the story.
As you can tell from this map, the course runs along the Potomac River from Mt. Vernon into the Old Town area of Alexandria—on the George Washington Parkway, which itself is a national park. It is a lovely course and it was a lovely day.
That pink area to left of “Fort Hunt” marks the hospital my Mom was at.
I live near the top left black icons.
This map of the course elevation profile shows why I just had to make it to mile 5. I was really struggling with the rolling hills of the first five miles. My ITB wasn’t holding me back yet, but I was holding back because of it. I was afraid that pushing harder would backfire and lead to a screeching halt. When the 1:30 pacers passed me shortly after mile 4, I felt dejected.
I tried not to look at my Garmin too much, and the few times I did left me even more discouraged. I saw paces slower than I’ve ever seen on a run even though I felt like I was running pretty hard. I must have just had bad timing with those glances (no pun intended), because my mile splits tell a different story—although I got slower with almost every mile, my paces were still race paces.
I debated walking the short hill at mile 9, but when I got there I couldn’t get to the side soon enough for a walk break to be worth it. The last mile seemed like it took forever, but I managed to pick up my pace a tiny bit to finish strong. As I finished, I realized how different I felt from races where I ran much faster. My legs felt like lead, but I was not breathing that hard. My Garmin says I spent 96% of the time in my “aerobic” zone and my heart rate graph is nearly flat.
Once I got through the finish area, my husband found me and we headed to the beer tent for my hard-earned Port City Monumental IPA. It was such a gorgeous day, it didn’t take long for the post-race atmosphere to chase my “never again” thoughts away. 😬
I decided to make good use of my post-race endorphins and brave an ice bath—something I haven’t done in years. I sent my husband into the grocery store to get ice while I ran into Starbucks.
I ended up using 1.5 of these 20 lb bags.
I have mixed feelings about the wooden medal.
I have a few weeks before the Lawyers Have Heart 10K on May 20. More on that next week!
I’m joining the Tuesday Topics link up hosted by Kim and Zenaida.
Do you have any races on tap for May?
![The Ultimate Coffee Date](http://got2run4me.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Ultimate-Coffee-Date.png" "The Ultimate Coffee Date")
May 20 – Brooklyn Half…. my first post injury race.
Brr on the ice bath. I’ve never had the courage to try it.
Glad to hear the race went well. Those paces look fast to me but then again it’s so individual.. What’s important is that you finished and remain healthy enough fort he next one.
Well, I think you did great. I would be thrilled with those paces on such a hilly course. As Darlene said, it’s so individual and if you feel like you trained for something faster, I get it. But you finished a difficult race with no injuries, and you’ll be ready for your next one in May! I think you deserve a second medal for that ice bath… brrr. (Do you think it helped?)
I do think ice baths help. My legs felt fresh Monday – even though my ITB was still cranky.
Even though it was a bit of a struggle, you were able to finish without more injuries, so that’s a win for sure! I know that sinking feeling when the pace groups pass you by. Ugh!! I bet that race course was beautiful.
I’ve done an ice bath once. That was enough for me! Congrats on your race!
I can stand outside, in -30 temps and wind (for a cryotherapy “treatment”) following a hot treadmill run, but I don’t think I could do an ice bath. Holy Brrr! I know they serve a purpose, though. Congrats on a hard-fought race, Coco! As you know, I ran a hilly race also…they definitely test our grit and determination.
wow, that elevation made me scream ‘yikes’! Great job on another race finish!
I have a love/hate relationship with ice baths. They are so uncomfortable, but I do think they helped me tremendously with post-run soreness when training for a marathon.
I agree they seem to make a difference!
Congrats Coco on a tough race! Those hills look killer. I echo what everyone else said–finishing without aggravating that ITB sounds like a win to me. While I would have enjoyed that post-race IPA, I would have taken a pass on the ice bath!
I had to get a hot Starbucks to get me through it!
Great job! I dislike hills so much but what’s to do about them? I got cold looking at the picture of the ice bath. I haven’t taken one in years and don’t want to.
Congrats Coco! Way to power through on a hilly course. I have yet to try a true ice bath, I need to. I did a Ragnar trail once and they had wooden medals. I don’t know how durable they will be!
That elevation map gives me the shivers lol. You did a great job on a challenging course and best of all didn’t aggravate your ITB too much.
I find ice baths refreshing for my legs but with my Raynaud’s my feet/toes don’t always deal well.