Chilly and hilly. That is my short version of my Annapolis Running Classic recap. It was pretty chilly & the back half of this race is HILLY. BUT as chilly and hilly as it was, I had a really great time.
As I’ve mentioned, this was my 20th race of the year and I was determined to take it easy. I knew the course would be much harder than Richmond due to the hills and so I knew I’d go slower. I started the run with my friend and Oiselle teammate, Caitlin, who was running the 10k. To be honest, I kinda wished I was running the 10k as well! But that’s only because my little legs were tired and nervous about a hilly race. With one of the funnest announcers I’ve ever encountered on a race course, we were off right at 7am.
The race starts off at the Navy Memorial Stadium and then winds it’s way to downtown Annapolis. The downtown portion is my favorite of the course and it’s really pretty running close to the water through the streets of Annapolis. The race was medium sized and I never felt boxed in. Caitlin ran with me for about three miles before dropping back. Then I was on my own. I entertained myself by enjoying the views and looking for friends on the out and back portions of the course. I saw Lauren from Breathe Deeply & Smile rocking it and saw my friend Anne a couple times as well.
As you can see in the image above, the hills become pretty frequent halfway through the race. As I was trying to distract myself, something really cool happened. I wrote a fairly lengthy post about it on Instagram, so I’m just going to share that post here:
It was the coolest experience to get to run with Janelle and help her finish strong. I felt really jazzed to have the chance to do something so many runners have done for me before! That experience is what running is about in my opinion. So great. We ended up crossing the finish line in 2:14:31 and I was happy with that. I wasn’t worried about my time at all (especially after I ran into Janelle) and I definitely finished with a smile on my face. A wonderful day all around!
What I wore: Oiselle Long Roga shorts, Oiselle wazzie wool long sleeve shirt, Oiselle singlet, Stance socks (which I love for short runs but I had a blister by the end of the race), Zensah calf sleeves (affiliate links) and Mizuno sneakers. I carried my Nathan handheld filled with Nuun.
Fueling: I drank water with Nuun in it during the race. I had two Huma gels in my pocket and I ate about half of one but didn’t love the lemonade flavor. I do think I should’ve fueled more at some point during the race, but I wasn’t hungry. I had a Picky Bar for breakfast and that worked well. However, just like the previous week at Richmond, once I crossed the finish line, I felt kind of woozy – probably due to the lack of calories. Thank goodness there was delicious tomato soup at the finisher’s tent. I had two servings it was so good!
I’m very happy to have successfully finished 20 races – and I’m not quite done yet. I’m running a Turkey Trot Five Miler Thanksgiving morning and maybe one more holiday themed race before the year is out.
Did you race this past weekend? If you ran the Annapolis Running Classic, link up your recap!
Way to rock 20 race this year! You are awesome! I loved spotting you on the course and YES chilly and hilly is the perfect way to describe this race! It also is so awesome that you got to finish with Janelle and push her to have a great race too.
You were rocking it, girl! Can’t wait to read your recap 🙂
Working on my race recap from a back of the pack perspective, I will post soon.
Looking forward to reading it!
aw, this makes me happy!! congrats on race #20 this year and SO exciting you and Janelle got to connect. Hey CUCB social runners!!
Mar @ Mar on the Run recently posted…DC Fitness: SoulCycle DC
Thanks – it was an awesome experience!
I did a 5k Saturday and it was cold too. I think that was the theme of this weekend. Places seem to be either cold or cold and snowy. We had awful wind, but I got it done. Great job on this half and good luck on your turkey trot.
Lesley recently posted…Monday Musings 11/23
Thanks – have a great week!
Great job! Those Annapolis hills are not kidding. I start and end my long runs right after the dreaded bridge and head out to the B&A trail. It’s nice to know that I’m getting in my hills at the beginning and unfortunately at the end of every long run 🙂
Heidi recently posted…Pumpkin Patch Visit
Yeah – the hills are REAL! Have a great holiday Heidi!! 🙂
You are a beast! 20?! Holy cow! I completed my first trail race this Saturday and it was so fun. Happy Thanksgiving!
Alaina @ The Simple Peach recently posted…Thanksgiving Plans
I ran a lot of small race series’ this year (like 5k series and such). Trail races are such fun – have a wonderful holiday!
This sounds like a great race but man, those are some hills! It’s so cool that you go to help Janelle push through and reach her goals as well.
Chaitali recently posted…Weekly review
it was really fun to be able to run with janelle! and yeah, those hills were NO joke!
I’ve never run with anyone in a longer race. I know it’s hard to match up goals and mile times, but I’d really like to give it a try some time – seems like it would make for an enjoyable race experience. Happy to see you had a great time despite the hills and had the opportunity to drive someone to a strong finish! 🙂
Elizabeth recently posted…Naples Half / Broke Man’s WWU Training Week 3
I had a friend run me in during MCM and my coach pushed me during Richmond so it was great to be able to pay that forward last Saturday!
You are simply amazing! 20 races…wow! Congrats! I wish I was running the Alexandria Turkey Trot with you… I did find a 4-miler up in Maine to do on Turkey day though, so that should be fun!!
Colleen LG recently posted…Race Recap: 2015 Marine Corps Marathon
Oh, I’m glad you found a Turkey Trot in Maine! And I have no idea how I got to 20 races — it really snuck up on me!
TWENTY races this year, Courtney?!! That is fantastic!! I’m so glad that you had fun at this race and that you were able to meet up with so many birds; what fun!!
Tara @ Running ‘N’ Reading recently posted…#3B26 Marathon Training – Week 9
Yeah, not quite sure how 20 races happened…but they did 🙂
Those hills are like what we have in Atlanta! Congrats on 20 races!!
I ran Philly 1/2 marathon this weekend and would HIGHLY recommend it. A great course that showcases our city well with crazy, good crowds. The full runs the same course but the second 1/2 is slightly more desolate. So, if you have a bucket race list, personally I think the Philly 1/2 is worth the trip.
Congratulations on running 20 races this yr! And still have a few left. Way to go girl!
Congrats on your 20th race of the year. That’s pretty incredible, and how cool was it for you to be able to pay it back to the running community by being there to encourage Janelle when she needed it! Was this the same course as the ZOOMA Half? If so, I can double vouch that it was hilly! Your race was chilly and hilly, and in the spring it was hot, humid, and hilly!
Debbie @ Deb Runs recently posted…Hey Legs, Thank You!
I have only run the 10k for Zooma but I know that this course differed from the Annapolis 10 miler, so I’m not sure. But basically, everything over the bridge is all HILLS! 🙂 It was fun being able to support Janelle! 🙂
Congrats on 20 races! Here’s to a healthy 21st!
Feel free to check out my recap of the Annapolis Running Classic half marathon: http://cerealrunner.com/2015/11/24/race-2015-annapolis-running-classic/
Congrats on your 20th race and thank you so much for everything you did for me on the course. I’m so glad we finally got to meet but hopefully I’ll be a lot happier the next time we run into each other! <3
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets recently posted…Annapolis Classic Half Marathon Recap
Awesome job lady and I love that story about Janelle!! Is the course similar to Zooma? It sounds like it might be. The finisher swag looks pretty awesome too! Maybe I’ll have to do this one next year!
Some of the sweetest race moments can be those where we help others reach their goals. I love how you picked Janelle up and helped her to the finish line. The inside voice in our heads can sometimes be the only thing between us and a PR. That course elevation looks really tough but you definitely ran strong and had a great day. Congrats on your 20th race….wow that is alot in one year!
Pam recently posted…That pesky knee
Love your words – I struggle with my inside voice OFTEN so I was really happy to be able to help Janelle ignore hers. 🙂
Congratulations on a great race! I read Janelle’s blog the other day and what a great story of camaraderie in running. That’s what so great about the running community. Everyone is so supportive. What a wonderful story and memory to have from that race. Congratulations again!
Thank you – it was awesome!
Way to go my friend!! Such a beautiful fall and a nice way to end the year (half-wise) 🙂 I have some (hopefully stays this way) early days this week… catching up on my writing!
Jennifer @ Run Jenny Run recently posted…2015 Chicago Marathon Race Recap Part 2
Yes! You know I’m ready for those recaps 🙂