This was my fifth year in a row of racing the Cherry Blossom Ten Miler. I had honestly not realized this year was my fifth and so in honor of that, I thought it’d be fun to take a quick look back at my prior experiences. If you are just interested in the recap of this year’s race, scroll down! Looking back at 2013, my very first Cherry Blossom Ten Miler. I was so excited about the race and oh so nervous. I met a woman named Jamie while running and we ended up running the whole race together and becoming friends. My goal was to run sub-11 minute miles. I ran a 1:51:02 and was really proud of myself. 2013 was the year that I started to become more serious about running. In 2014, I ran a 1:42:35. My average pace was 10:16, which I felt happy with. I ran Cherry Blossom in 2014 one week after I’d run my first trail marathon (which is a whole other story). 2015 saw the race course get cut a bit short – there had been an accident the morning of the race, so the course was only 9.39 miles. However, the race gave everyone an estimated finish time based on their pace in the 9.39 miles and mine was 1:31:14. Finally, in 2016 I ran with a friend and was shooting for 1:30ish – I ran a 1:31:12. For my fifth Cherry Blossom, I thought that I should be able to PR pretty easily given that my PR was definitely not indicative of my fitness level. However, I knew that a week after a hard run half marathon, my legs might feel terrible. I decided that I’d definitely go for a PR and shoot to run around 1:25ish. I had a really solid day and ran a 1:23:43 – here’s how it shook out:
Miles 1-4 (8:09/8:17/8:23/8:24) So I had a genius new strategy this year – start at the very front of my corral to be able to have space to run in the start. As you can see, it worked. The gun went off, and it was like I was running alone for a few minutes. So much room! I actually started off way too fast since I had so much space, but oh what the heck. My good friend Jackie was right near the start and we got to take a quick picture before she went to go cheer some other friends. My other friend Liz was taking photos as well. Such fun!
Miles 5-8 (8:22/8:19/8:24/8:20) Five miles in and I was feeling pretty strong. I truly love the ten mile distance and felt like I was generally running with people around the same pace. Plus, there were still some cherry blossoms hanging on, which was so pleasant!
Miles 9-10 (8:20/8:11) I spotted my friend Bri and caught up and ran with her for about a mile and a half, which helped me get out of Haines Point, which is never my favorite. Then in the final stretch, I saw my Oiselle teammate Meghan and worked to catch up to her so we could finish together. We crossed at 1:23:43, an average pace of 8:22.
I’m really proud that I’ve been able to cut off 28 minutes off my ten miler time since 2013. I’ve had this conversation with a couple folks recently, but the reason I’m proud of my recent races isn’t because I think faster = better. Not at all. I’m proud because I am fully aware that I am just an everyday, average runner. I’ve been able to find a modicum of success with getting faster through learning more about running + working really hard. And that (the hard work) makes me proud. This is a topic for another day, but just wanted to put that out there.
Another really awesome part of this race weekend was getting to meet up with Jennifer from Dashing in Style. You might recall that Jennifer is who inspired me to even try the Hanson Method. We’ve followed each other for years and she came to race this weekend (she had a great race – go check out her recap!) and we knew we had to meet. We had a wonderful lunch, along with our mutual friend Anna and Jennifer’s friend Jamie. It was SO lovely to meet her and it felt like we’d known each other for years. Such such fun.
Have you ever run Cherry Blossom? If so, what’d you think??
That’s so cool to see your recap of the race for the past 5 years and that you’ve gotten faster every year! Way to go with all that hard work you’ve been putting in.
Chaitali recently posted…Volunteering at the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler
Thanks – I totally didn’t realize I’d run it for so many years!
omg. that’s a massive accomplishment. 28 minutes faster in a 10 mile race is HUGE. your hard work really showed big results. hope you feel great.
It was really fun to look back at all my cb 10 milers! 🙂
Your hard work and determination is really showing through, Courtney. I am in awe of how hard you’ve been working, and you deserve to see it paying off. I can’t wait to see what is next for you!
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…2017 Goals – 1st Quarter Check In
Thanks Kathryn – I’m looking forward to seeing YOUR hard work pay off soon at your half 🙂
YEEEESSSS!!! I’m so glad that you had such a good day and also had the opportunity to meet up with your friend; that makes it even more fun. I feel like these successes help as we sweat through the summer, praying for relief; it’s worth it!! Big congrats, my friend; hope you’re recovering well!
Tara recently posted…Running Shenanigans (4/2/17)
Thanks Tara – I’ve run once so far this week and it’s been GLORIOUS 🙂
Wow that is quite the progression from one year to the next. Hard work definitely pays off!! Congrats on your accomplishments!
Amazing job on the PR – you have been putting in so much work, you deserve all of this.
Great job on hitting 2 back to back PRs!!!! All of your hard work is paying off Sometimes it really is the journey and not the destination that we benefit from the most ( i.e. Learn and grow as a person/runner)I am very proud of you!!!
that is so fantastic! taking 28 minutes off your time is great, but I love that you can appreciate how you have grown as a runner. I am glad you had a great race!
Congratulations on the race! And shaving off that much time is a fantastic accomplishment!
I love the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler. Always well organized even though the crowds are huge.
Love this look back at the last 5 years of races and seeing a clear progression in your running over time. Shaving 28 minutes off over the years is huge! Very interesting that you used friends as rabbits to kick up your pace and catch them. My 5K PR was on a course where I stayed with the first 1/4 of the pack, where I didn’t feel I belonged, but staying with them probably helped me get that PR. Hmmm…good food for thought! Congrats again on this PR, the culmination of a ton of hard work and great training! And, again, so happy that I met you in person!
Jennifer @ Dashing in Style recently posted…Race Recap: 2017 Cherry Blossom 10-Miler
It made me smile so much to see how far you’ve come! Isn’t it amazing to think that your first goal for this race to run sub-11 minute miles, and now you’re close to sub-8?! We have a similar timeline/progression so I relate to that so much. This was a great recap, but the part at the end is what hit home for me the most. My times are average at best, but for me – a normal, non-elite runner with no running background (or natural talent!) to speak of – it’s unbelievable that I’ve been able to run some of the paces I have. I too feel that keen awareness that this is something I have to work hard at, and that work is really at the root of what I’m so proud of with my running. So awesome to see your hard work pay off – can’t wait to see where it takes you next!
Yes. Exactly what you said – it’s the work that I’m proud of. And the feeling like I can work hard and see results is so incredibly rewarding!
This was my 1st year and I loved it!!
Congrats on yet another amazing PR! You have worked so hard to earn them! I ran five Cherry Blossom 10-Milers between 1998 and 2008. I always loved that race and the course – so many fond memories!
Debbie @ Deb Runs recently posted…Victories Everyday Runners Can Embrace
I absolutely love this post! I remember reading your old recaps and it has been a joy to see you improve each year (with hard work). I wonder what the 2018 Cherry Blossom will bring 😉
Oh man – I can’t even think that far ahead, lol 🙂