Here’s my short but sweet Predictions and Resolutions 5K Race Recap: On New Year’s Day I ran my first race of the year – the DC Road Runners Predictions and Resolutions 5K. You may recall that I ran this race last year and had so much fun that I knew I’d do it again. It’s cheap (5 if you are not a DC Road Runners club member, free if you are!), easy logistically and doesn’t start until 12pm. Boom! Works for me.
The thing I love about this race is that it’s small enough that you are guaranteed to easily spot your friends. Colleen, Mar, and Jenny were all running this race and by showing up about 15 minutes before the start, we had plenty of time to grab a picture. This year the DCRR decided to do a wave start which was super helpful since the trail the race is run on is quite narrow. The race had about 300 finishers, so a good number but not too many so that the course felt crowded. Of course there were times where things were tight, nothing too terrible. This race was my first time running with a watch in a couple weeks and I just wanted to get out there. I didn’t have any kind of race plan and I didn’t have any goals. Running a 5k under 30 minutes is kind of what I expect nowadays, so I wanted to do that, but aside from that I just wanted to run! The race is on the Mt. Vernon Trail and heads out towards the airport before turning around to head back to the start. It’s a pretty standard course, with a trail that many runners are familiar with. There was one water stop, but I didn’t need to utilize it for such a short distance. I liked running without anything on my back or in my hands and while it was chilly, I definitely warmed up by mile 2. I went out a little fast (8:27) then dialed it back for the last two miles (8:47 each). I finished at 27:13, which is faster than last year’s race and a pace and time I was happy with. The big hill at the end of the race didn’t kill me and I was happy to finish and catch up with Colleen, who’d finished a couple minutes before me (yeah, she is super speedy) and Mar, who finished a couple minutes after me. Unfortunately, we witnessed a rude biker run over (literally) a small child on the trail and keep going (WHAT.A.JERK.) while we waited for Jenny to finish (she’d gotten stuck behind bikers on the trail). It was awful and I’m sharing that here to encourage EVERYONE to pay attention as you drive / bike / run. Come on, y’all. Let’s do better.
Despite the unpleasantness at the finish, this race remains a favorite and I’m super excited to do more DCRR races – including a 10 miler this weekend.
I cannot believe that biker. What an **&)*&(&*%(^%%$%$&. That’s just terrible. It really irks me when bikers and runners can’t share the trails nicely.
Glad you had a great race otherwise!
Heidi recently posted…The best way to spread Christmas cheer
yes, it was awful. i was so upset. but other than that, it was perfect!
That sounds like a fun, low-keyed race! Nice time, too – congrats!
Debbie @ Deb Runs recently posted…Oh The Irony Of It…
thank you – it was a super low key race. i’m interested to see how my low key 10 miler race with DCRR goes on saturday!
When I ran Zooma Chicago last year we were on a bike path and dealt with rude bikers the entire time!! They treated us as if we were in their way even though we were RACING!! I just couldn’t comprehend them being so rude! But running over a child?!?!?!?! That is just awful!!!!
Staci @ Hoosier Running Mom recently posted…It is sub zero and I lost my gum!!
i understand that the trail is not closed. and i also understand that accidents happen. however, the fact that this man did NOT EVEN SAY A SINGLE WORD / CHECK TO SEE IF THE LITTLE GIRL WAS OKAY really got my goat. grrrrr.
Boo! Bikers drool and runners rule. 😉 I’m really glad y’all had fun; I enjoyed seeing your pictures and I read Jenny’s recap yesterday. Pretty cool that the field of runners is so small (I told Jenny that it must be interesting to see who will show up and who’s still too hungover to run – ha!) and that you can find everyone pretty easily. I hope you’re surviving the cold temps; been thinking about you all!
Tara @ Running ‘N’ Reading recently posted…Book Review: Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
omg it is crazy ridiculously cold here. brrrrrrr
Wow what jerk that biker! I almost got hit by a car last year. Was super close but thankfully I caught their attention by slapping the hood of their car. She was in a hurry and didn’t see I was already half way across the street and I had the right of way.
Daisy @ Fit Wanderlust Runner recently posted…Treadmill Sprint Workout to Start the New Year Right!
I love small local races!
As someone who bikes to work, bikes have to remember they’re vehicles too. Ugh. I can’t believe someone ran over a kid of all things. 🙁
Kay @ Kay Bueno recently posted…Allowing myself to suck
I wish I hadn’t been sick, I would have loved to have run this race!! Looks like it was very well run!
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes recently posted…2015 Goals: Time to refocus
The biker running over the child is terrible! People really need to pay close attention in areas where there are others sharing the path/road. I hope he/she is okay.
Congrats on your race! I didn’t not race on New Year’s day. Actually planned to race NYE day but the weather was way too frigid for my tastes. I know, I’m a wimp! 🙂
Sun recently posted…Questions, Questions and More Questions!
Boo to that cyclist! Was the child ok? Last summer when we ran Zooma Chicago, we were forced to share the Lakefront Path with everyone (it’s a public path) including maniac cyclists who blew by us at high speeds. It was really unnerving.
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Ode to my treadmill
This race was great! I think I’m the only one who didn’t do a recap – lol. I am still SO ANGRY about that biker. So angry… I can still see the terror in that little girls face and it makes me sad. Ugh. But definitely a repeat race for sure! Sorry I’m bagging the 10 miler this weekend. So tired and off schedule 🙁
Mar @ Mar on the Run recently posted…Running Tip of the Month: In Sickness & In Health
What a great start to the year! One race down and one coming up! Two races in the first two weeks! Positive steps in 2015, for sure! I have never done a race on New Years’ Day, but I DO believe in getting a solid workout on day 1…to set the tone for the year! I certainly did not feel like it, due to an extra cocktail the night before, but I had an awesome bike workout on my trainer, so mission accomplished!
Lee@tri*inspired*life recently posted…2014: A Year of Perspective
I absolutely CANNOT believe that the biker did not stop. I really don’t understand what goes through people’s heads sometimes!
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…ASICS GEL-Fit Sana Review
What a great way to start the new year! Sounds like so much fun and such a cute pic of you gals!
So not cool of that jerky biker! I hope the child was okay.
Haven’t raced yet this year – just waiting for the knee to heal so I can run again. 🙂
Have a great day!
Natalie recently posted…Soccer, trumpets and pasta
Really what is wrong with people…running over a child?!?! How awful 🙁
Michelle @ Running with Attitude recently posted…2015 Running Goals
Running over a kid and not stopping – some choice words come to mind.
Abby @ BackAtSquareZero recently posted…Weight Watchers – Week 22 of Meetings
Awful about the cyclist, but sounds like a great race overall. Congrats on beating your time from last year!
Jennifer @ Running on Lentils recently posted…Pittsburgh Half Marathon Training Plan
People like that biker make me lose faith in humanity. WTF is that!? I hope that kid was okay!
All awful aside it sounds like an otherwise great time (great pace!) with great people!
Salt recently posted…Wednesday in a Few Words: The little boost I needed.
I’m kinda jealous of how cheap the races are for you guys or free! I wish the running club here had discounts like FREE. We’re lucky to get $5 off and the membership does cost, ugh. I know it’s no frills but I don’t mind those, I’d just do all the really cheap races as time trials/tempo runs.
That’s so scary about the biker running a kid over. Were they really in that big of a hurry they could not wait for those in the race to go by? How sad. Aside from that it looks like you ladies all had a wonderful time.
Amy Lauren recently posted…Race the Landing New Year’s 5K (22:18)
Thanks for cheering me on (I think I had the loudest crowd) 🙂 This will def be a yearly tradition. Now I need to scope our DCRR races to volunteer.
Jennifer recently posted…Charleston Half Training – 1/5-1/11 – Week 10