This was the second year that I have run this race.  I really liked it last year and I came in 2nd in my age group (60-99 group).

The course is very winding and pretty flat except for the last mile which is uphill.

My time last year was 27:51.  Could I beat that??

And should I try?  After all, I just ran a half marathon last weekend. My feet are still recovering.

Nevertheless, I was determined to give it my best shot and not to be disappointed if I sucked (like last weekend.)

The weather was iffy.  Cloudy and cool but not sure how cool so I wore my skirt from last week and a long sleeved shirt.  And for my feet – new insoles, compression sleeves and Feetures socks and moleskin on the sensitive spots.  Fingers crossed.

The race started at 10:15 and I got there around 9:30 and parked a few blocks away on the street. It was pretty crowded – more racers than I remembered – over 500.

I bumped in many people that I knew – Sue, Helen & Brian from the Turkey Trot group, Valerie & Sue – runners in my age group that I meet often at races.

Unfortunately at this Cherry Blossom race, they were absolutely NO cherry blossoms  😦  Longest winter ever!

I wound up starting with Valerie.  We moved toward the front but not too close since it was chip-timed.

Here’s Valerie.  Not sure where I was?

As soon as the race started, the sun came out.  I was warm.

My feet felt fine – the whole race. YAY!

But for some reason, I had trouble breathing – I was coughing and out of breath the whole time – maybe allergies?  It’s always something.

I usually have a pretty fast first 2 miles and then slow down but I was tired even during the first mile.

There a small water stand after mile 1 and I stopped to catch my breath and then continued running until the next water stop at the half way point.

It was a pretty interesting course – you just wind your way around the neighborhoods.  I tried to run the tangent as much as possible.

Believe it or not, I had a brief stop again at the first water stop and then tried to run non-stop to the finish.

Nope, I had to walk again!!

I wanted to make it through under 28 minutes.  But I did not. It was chip-timed so I really did.

At least the refreshments were better than my half marathon – fruit, yogurt, granola, bagels, cupcakes and chocolate milk.

Valerie & I hung out to see if we won any awards.

And I won 2nd.

Not a PR nor a course PR but still a decent race.  I was happy.

Race Splits:

mile 1- 8:57
mile 2 – 9:17
mile 3 – 8:59
.1 – 7:57

Goals:

A. Course PR (under 27:51)  – NO
B. Age Group Award. – YES
C. Under 10 min pace for each mile. YES
D. No blisters. YES
E. Enjoy and finish! YES

Since I have another half marathon in a month, I had planned to run anther 6 miles with Judy on the bike path which was nearby.

We decided to head 3 miles east and then turn around.

It was a nice day for running. Again the sun came out and I was too warm.

I did my usual run faster and stop and walk while Judy ran her steady pace.

It wasn’t long before I realized that the moleskin protecting my foot had come loose and the blisters on the bottom on my left foot were coming back with a vengeance.

Like with the half marathon, it hurt with each step I took.

Now they actually hurt worse but my right foot this time is fine.  It may be time to rest my footsies.

Happy Running! How was your weekend?