For the past couple years, I’ve run the Annapolis Running Classic. It’s a fun mid-fall race that offers a 10k and a half marathon. Last year, I ran the half marathon as my 20th race of the year and the last race in a string of big races (I ran Wineglass and Marine Corps Marathons in October, plus the Army Ten Miler PLUS the Richmond Half Marathon in the six weeks leading up to Annapolis. I know. It was nuts). This year, I was lucky enough to serve as a race ambassador and decided I’d do the (significantly less hilly) 10k rather than the half. You didn’t read about any race goals before the race because I really didn’t have any. I felt like a PR (my prior PR was 56:37) would be running a bit faster than I wanted to and decided to just kind of stay in the low 9s throughout the race. It turns out I haven’t lost all my fitness gains from training for Chicago, and busted out a PR!
The Annapolis Running Classic dawned on a cool morning – perfect for running. I met up with some of my Oiselle teammates for a pic before the race and quickly grabbed my bib. As I headed to the start, I saw my buddy Mar and we hopped into the corral to get ready to run. The race started promptly at 7, and then we were off!
Miles 1-3.1 (8:29/8:21/8:21)
Shortly after starting, I saw Colleen and Kara and caught up to them. They were both running the half and we had fun catching up and chatting. I wasn’t paying attention to my watch but when I asked Colleen and Kara about their goals and they said they were shooting for a 1:50ish race, I knew we were running along at a good pace. Once I hit the mile 3 marker, I realized I could have a pretty solid PR if I just kept pace. That’s how my “just for fun” 10k turned into a PR, haha.
Miles 3.1-6.2 (8:21/8:23/8:18)
The course is quite scenic and flat and even with a few turns, it’s easy to settle into a solid pace. I felt pretty good all throughout. At mile 4.5, I started to think, “huh, this is hard.” But at that point I knew I could hold on and just keep doing what I was doing. And it worked out!
My official time was 52:51 and I think the course was a bit long since it wasn’t marked completely clearly at parts – that’s the only way I can explain the fact that my official average pace was 8:31 and all my miles on my Garmin were quicker than 8:30. I also am sure I didn’t run the tangents. But either way, this was really fun and I’m proud that with this race, I’ve now set a personal record in the 5k, 10k, 10 miler, 1/2 marathon and full marathon in 2016. That was definitely not my goal, but it’s pretty neat. I’ve worked really hard this year in terms of running and it’s fun to see it pay off.
What’s next for you? I’m running the Rehoboth Half Marathon in two weeks and can’t wait!
Look at all those 8:XX…pretty pretty! Way to go! You did work really hard this year, well earned.
Thank you – it’s interesting because I wasn’t running a lot of 8 minute miles while marathon training!
Woo-hoo! Great job Courtney! All of your hard work is definitely paying off!!
Thanks – it was a fun race!
Congratulations! What an amazing year you’ve had! I really do like that 10K course…much less painful than the half LOL!
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets recently posted…Goals for the Philly Marathon
Ha – yes. Much less painful!!
Congrats on the unexpected PR, Courtney! You’ve worked so hard this year, so I’m not surprised to see all of that hard work paying off!
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend – Day 2 – Fun at Magic Kingdom
Thanks Kathryn – the great weather was definitely also a factor!
Wow, congrats on pulling out a PR!
I hear the Rehobeth Beach half is a great one and that lots of Christmas decor is out.
I am super excited to run while viewing Christmas decorations – I love Christmas!
Fantastic and consistent mile times! I love when weather and fitness align for a fun, solid run. Congrats on the big PR! 🙂
Thank you – it was a really fun day and I hadn’t run a 10k in awhile, so that was fun as well!
Love running in Annapolis and unexpected PR’s are the best
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner recently posted…Hearty Fall Lentil Stew
Aren’t they? Annapolis is so pretty – especially when you can avoid most of the hills 🙂
WOO HOO! Yep, you are a lot faster than you think, my friend. 😉 Keep up the great work!! BOOM! Big congrats on this effort!
Thanks friend! The stars aligned for this one!
Congrats on a great race! Loved seeing you on Saturday.
Mar @ Mar on the Run recently posted…Race Recap: Annapolis Running Classic 10K
Thanks – it was great to see you as well. Hope you found your car without too much more effort 🙂
Way to go! The ones you don’t plan on can be the best surprise of all. You’ve put in so much work this year. So happy for you!
Alaina @ The Simple Peach recently posted…5 Reasons to Race Local
Living the benefits of that Hanson plan life! 🙂
Congratulations on your PR! I’m really proud of you and you have rocked it out this year in ALL the race distances. You’re super fit and have even faster times to come, I am sure. This whole race seems like a great event as well. Glad you were able to enjoy it, still get a PR and a beautiful medal at that 🙂
Thanks Amy – I have learned a ton this year and am excited about putting that knowledge to work next year!!
Fantastic job! It is always nice when you realize your fitness after a major race hasnt declined like you thought and you still have it in you!
Yes! I have just been running for fun so it was a pleasant surprise!
WOW!!! I’ll say all your training has paid off! A PR in every major distance! Congratulations!!! Also, that’s a great photo of you. You look super fit and strong! PS: I think I’m entering the Cherry Blossom 10-Miler with Anna. Hopefully I’ll get to meet you then!
Jennifer @ Dashing in Style recently posted…Weekly Wrap: Getting Back into a Routine
Ohhhh yes! That’s one of my favorite races. I hope to get in this year!!!!
There’s nothing better than that post marathon fitness to propel you to a PR! Great job!
I know, right? All the fun while utilizing previous work 🙂
Woohoo! I didn’t know you were doing Rehoboth! What a great year of running,
I’ve always wanted to do it so this is finally the year!
Woohoo, after all your hard work in marathon training it is great to see it pay off with a 10K PR!
Yeah, it was like a fun little bonus!
Congrats Courtney! What a great year for you in terms of running. Yep, you did work out and it is exciting to see all of the training paying off.
It’s been a good year for running for sure – lots of hard work!