This past weekend, I raced my second 10k of 2015. I don’t run 10ks a lot but I really do enjoy the distance. It’s not the all out sprint that makes 5ks so painful, but it’s short enough that you can really push the pace. There is so much I can say about this race, so I’ll give you the high points first and then those of you who want to stick around for the details can grab a cup of tea and settle in. The quick and dirty: my face was on the bib (yeah, I know!), my run bud Julie was back for the weekend (amazing!) and I PR’ed. Keep reading my Clarendon Day 10k Race Recap for all the fun details!
This weekend was extra awesome to begin with because one of my favorite run buddies Julie was back in town! Julie accompanied her husband back to DC for work reasons and we got to run together twice and take a Pure Barre class together! Julie and Michael actually stayed with us Friday night so we had tons of time to chat and catch up and it was so great having her in town. I’m lucky that she’ll be back in just under a month to help cheer me on at the Marine Corps Marathon!
The race was on Saturday (holla! for Saturday races) and as I was getting ready, I checked into Instagram and discovered something fun. Apparently Pacers used a picture of me running the race last year on this year’s bib. That was a surprise and kinda fun. It was kinda weird seeing my face on everyone’s bib, though! In case you were wondering, no I had no idea this picture would be used and no, I didn’t receive any type of compensation. When you sign that waiver as you sign up for a race, you agree that they can use your image in promotional items. I didn’t mind – I’ll just make sure not to lose the bib! It’s definitely the most unique race souvenir I’ve received!
Before the 10k we got a pic we a bunch of Oiselle gals running and then it was time to line up. Since the race was the weekend before Wineglass Marathon (look out for my race goals for Wineglass coming up this week!), I didn’t have any major time goals. The race starts off downhill for about a mile and a half and so I knew I’d start out fast. I wanted to just try and hold on as best as I could after the fast start. I had no intentions of trying to PR. We lined up and I started running with Ivey and Sara, two local Oiselle gals. We ran and chatted and ran and chatted and the miles just ticked off. Miles 1-3: 8:48/9:03/9:14.
As we approached the turn around right before mile 4, I began thinking that maybe I would PR. I could not for the life of me remember what my 10k PR was but thought it was in the 56 or 57 range (it was 56:48). At this point, it was just Sara and I and we talked about PRs and goals and it was so lovely racing with someone. While I love running with folks, I very rarely race with people and I loved having the company and getting to know Sara. As I was running, I started to feel stronger and stronger and once we got to mile 5, I realized I wanted to push it for a possible PR. I took off towards the finish and was so grateful to see 56:xx on the clock when I crossed. I knew if I hadn’t PRed, I’d come pretty dang close. Miles 4-6.2: 9:13/9:09/8:56/8:48 (final .2). I finished with an unofficial time of 56:39, which is a 9 second PR. Talk about cutting it close!
As always, the race was well organized and easy. You could pick up your packet before race day or that morning – we arrived about 8:10 for our 9am start, found easy (free!) parking and got our bibs, tech shirts and then had plenty of time for pictures before the start of the race. Pacers raced are self seeded and people did a great job with that, in my opinion. I wasn’t tripping over anyone and neither was I passing or being passed by a bunch of folks. It worked. Only disappointment: this year they gave out medals to folks who did the double! Had I known that, I would’ve SO done the double again. The medal was realllllllly pretty too. Next year!
I followed up a great race with an awesome Oiselle Team brunch. Such such fun. This group of ladies inspires me, makes me laugh and shares the same love of running that I have. I’m so glad that we have these opportunities to meet up and catch up each month! All in all, it was a lovely day. The weather was great, I got to hang out with some fun ladies (including bloggers Jenny, Kathryn, Julie and Kathryn – and met Anne for the first time) and I set a PR.
Do you like the 10k distance? Has your face ever graced a race bib??
Congratulations the PR! What a great start to your fall race season π I ran 10ks for the first time this year and I think they might be my favorite distance.
Elizabeth recently posted…September: Life Currently…
They are fun to race!
It looks and sounds like there were a whole bunch of Oiselle teammates there this weekend. It sounds like it was an awesome time!
yes, we have a group of almost 100 gals in the DC/MD/VA area! it was super fun!
I loved that your face was on the bib! how awesome and what a wonderful keepsake π I’m now bummed I didn’t register! lol. Great job on the PR!!
Mar @ Mar on the Run recently posted…Friday Five: Favorite Fall Runs
hahaha, it was a fun surprise! π
OMG that would be such a Happy surprise to pick up your race packet and discover that your picture was not just on your bib but on EVERYONES bib. Too funny! I would be keeping that bib for sure! Apparently they thought you took great race photos! Congrats on the PR too! I enjoy a good 10K race!
it was a really fun and happy surprise! i will be keeping that bib for sure!
Yay!! Congrats on the PR, and how awesome about the bib. I must say I was registered for the double but couldn’t make it because hubs is STILL out of town and I didn’t have a sitter. I’m kind of bummed I don’t have your mug on my race bib that could be hanging on my bib holder π
hahahaha because i obvi need to be hanging in your house! π aw, i wish you would’ve been there!
“OMG that’s you!” Haha π Thanks for cheering me on at the end. Even though I said I don’t want to run the double again.. now I want to beat my time!
Jennifer recently posted…Friday Five – Upcoming Fall Activities
oh, well CLEARLY now that there’s a medal involved i’ll be doing the double again π
Congrats on the unexpected PR, Courtney! That is sometimes the best reward at a race (even if only the double race participants received medals this year).
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Rock βnβ Roll Philadelphia Half Marathon Training Log β Week 3
hahahaha, that medal! so pretty π
Crazy fun to have your face on a bib! Congrats on your PR! 9 seconds is 9 seconds! 10ks have become somewhat rare around here. I think they’ve been replaced by halfs.
Marcia recently posted…Taper Violations and a Miracleβ¦Maybe
you know, now that you mention it, i don’t see a ton of 10ks around here, either. they are fun races, though! and you’re right – 9 seconds is 9 seconds!
So fun that you got to meet up with all those fellow DC bloggers! Congrats on the unexpected PR that is always nice. I did the double last year it was a blast except for the walk up the hill between races. Do they still do that?
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Southwestern Spaghetti Squash Boats
yes, they do. and that part does suck! but now there’s a pretty medal at the end π
That’s so fun about your picture! I feel the complete opposite about 10ks…I love that I can push the pace in a 5k without really burning out, but in the 10k, I feel like it’s too long to really push the pace but not long enough to allow yourself time to get into a groove! It’s funny how everyone approaches each distance differently. I really struggle with the distance but congratulations on the PR!!
You are right – we’re all so different in how we approach races. 5ks typically make me want to die by the end, lol.
Loved meeting you after the race, Courtney! Thanks for saying hi – and congrats again on that PR! I still can’t get over that you are on the bib – too cool! I should’ve had you sign it. π Hope to see you around the DC area – happy running!
Anne @fANNEtasticfood recently posted…Clarendon Day 10k Race Recap
YAY!!! I love this post and these great pics, Courtney!! Well, I love the PR the most, I think; what a great day!! I love the 10K distance; just as you’ve mentioned, it’s not quite as painful as the 5K, but I know that I’m still going to have the opportunity to push my limits while spreading the pain out just a bit – ha! Great job!
Tara @ Running ‘N’ Reading recently posted…#3B26 Marathon Training – Week 1
Thanks Tara – it was a really fun day! Happy marathon training, friend π
OMG–that photo of you on the runner’s bib is adorable. π
Margo recently posted…Brooklyn Fit Chick Notes: βLike Water for Chocolateβ 6 Bad Habits Fitness Instructors Want Students to Drop NOw
Haha, it’s kinda fun! Now I need to get it together and organize my race bibs in a cute way!
HOORAY, Congrats on the PR!
Sounds like an awesome race! I just love the team tanks, great color you all look fabulous!
That is beyond awesome about the bib picture, how cool is that! That just wouldn’t go in my scrapbook if it was me, I’d be framing it on the wall, LOL
Haha, I am thinking of creating a bib wall in my office. π
Wow, very cool that your photo was on the bib. That one’s a keeper! Congrats on the PR, as well! I ran the 5K at Clarendon a while back (2012, 2013?) and it stood as my PR for a while since a good portion of that course is downhill.
Kelli recently posted…Crazy Amazing Weekend
Yeah, it’s an easy race to PR if you can hold onto your pace from the 1.5 mile downhill start π
Great job on the PR! Even better, I love that they used your picture on the bib! How awesome is that?
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Marathon week 10: Run this Town
Yeah, it was a fun surprise race morning!
Looks like a great race. I also love 10ks because they give me enough time to get rid of the jitters and actually enjoy whats going on around me.
Becki S recently posted…Product Review: Journal Menu and Giveaway
Indeed. I like 10ks – I need to do more!
Wow. congrats on the PR, having your photo on the bib (hope you saved yours!), and on being on the Oiselle team. Love the brand!
Cristina recently posted…Review: PUMA IgniteXT and Gear
Definitely saving this bib π
I love the 10K! And it looks like you had a lot of fun. I seem to find more Half Marathons and 5Ks here, but there a few 10Ks throughout the year. I like that it’s challenging but not overwhelming.
Amy @ Will Run For Ice Cream recently posted…Jogging Strollers Freedom And Fresh Air
I agree with that – challenging but not overwhelming!
Wow! What a great race between running a strong race, earning a PR, and having your photo on the bib! Congrats!
Jennifer @ Running on Lentils recently posted…BCHM Training with Hansons: Week 12
Awesome job!
That is a great story about the bib! Definitely one for the scrapbook.
10Ks are my favorite distance. I wish there more of them to race.
jenn recently posted…week in review: 9.20 Γ’ΒΒ 9.26
Too funny that your face was on the bib. Did any random people notice?
I love Pacers and the Clarendon 10k is my favorite of their races. I was so sad I had to be out of town on Saturday morning as I’ve missed it for several years in a row now. Such a great race! (And my MCM training could have totally used the mileage.) Great job on your pacing as well.
MCM Mama Runs recently posted…Center of the Nation Series Half Marathon Day #6 – Colorado
I can’t believe your face was on the bib!! That’s so awesome. Slightly creepy, but mostly awesome!! Congrats on being famous and on the PR!
Nicole @ Fitful Focus recently posted…Gluten-Free Banana Bread
Congrats on the PR! It is too funny you didn’t even know you were on the bib until the day of the race! My new life goal is to have my face on a bib.
Lol it’s a good goal π
Way to PR! I totally understand the pain for 10ks. You can’t really sprint it but you have to really pace it because there isn’t much room for error in 10k.
Carmy recently posted…Monday on the Run #31
So cool!! I have definitely never graced a race bib haha. I’m not sure I would want to – I never look as happy and smiley in my race pictures as you do!
Sounds like you had a wicked race – congrats for hitting a PR! I don’t mind 10ks – they used to be my favourite because they were quick and dirty, but they’re not so quick anymore haha so I prefer the longer and slower half marathons.
Ariana recently posted…Review of Vima Running App
I really like the 10k distance. Everyone looks so happy π
jill conyers recently posted…Nourishing Nut & Seed Bars
Great job! I love the 10K distance, it’s my second favorite!!!
Toni recently posted…Running with Hemp Heart Bites #HHBites
You should get the bib framed so you don’t lose it. Great job on the PR too!
Lesley recently posted…September’s Virtual Challenge
Such a fun race and i’m so glad I got to see you kick butt, a nice confidence booster for your super crazy race-tober!! I loved spending the morning with a race bib-celeb π Great job and way to fight for that unexpected PR!!
Always feels good to get a PR! That’s so awesome/funny your face was on your bib – definitely frame that! I also like the 10k distance for the same reasons you said. Though I really want to work on a good 10K PR next year π
Patty @ Reach Your PEak recently posted…When I Feel Most Confident
yeah, it’s always the question for me – train for a marathon or focus on speed? if i can get my goal marathon time (4:3oish) at marine corps this year, then i may be content to focus on speed and not run a marathon next year. lol