Ah, the Clarendon Day Double. When I ran this race last year, I was pretty sure I wasn’t going to run the double again. Yet, somehow I found myself lining up for two races this past Saturday.
I felt really laid back about this race and my only goal was to come in under my time last year. Well, that’s not entirely true. I knew I’d come in faster than last year’s double, simply because I’m a faster runner now. Last year, I ran the double in 1:37 and this year I shot for 1:30ish. I knew that I’d start out fast, since the races both start off with a significant down hill. I wanted to reign it in during the 5k because I knew the 10k would be starting at 9am and race day was warm for September, with high humidity. The best laid plans, right?
When my first mile beeped on my watch and I saw 8:05, I knew I was in trouble. That was WAY too fast and I tried to back way off. Mile two was still way too fast at 8:18. I slowed it way down for mile three and ran that in 8:57, for an average pace of 8:36 (finish time 26:43). I knew I was in trouble for the 10k as soon as I crossed the finish line. I’d unintentionally run my second fastest 5k ever…and then had to walk 1.5 miles (mostly uphill) back to the start line and run a 10k. I really need to learn how to run by feel because I am terrible at pacing myself. Sigh.
We managed to get back to the 10k start line a few minutes before the race started. I had originally thought that maybe I could run sub 60 in the 10k but knew that after pushing it too hard in the 5k, I should just focus on running fast enough to come in at 1:30 or less. By this time, the sun was blazing, the humidity was high and there were long uncovered stretches along the road. I was hot and cranky because of the humidity. On the plus side, I got to run with Sue of This Mama Runs for Cupcakes for about half a mile. I kept trucking along but by the time I got to mile 4, I totally lost all will to run and just desperately wanted to be finish. I felt SO hot and uncomfortable and all I could focus on was putting one foot in front of the other. It was pretty miserable and I say that having run in all kinds of weather conditions. I’m not sure exactly what the problem was but I think some things were vastly messed up with my hydration and fueling because as soon as I crossed the finish line, I felt awful. I was dizzy, hot and just wanted to sit down. After a few minutes, we had a good contingent of bloggers so we were all taking pictures, but again, I felt like I needed to sit down. My sweet blogging buddies gave me some food and made sure I had water and I started feeling human again – but still definitely felt slightly off most of the day.
10k splits: 9:28, 9:23, 9:33, 9:55, 10:33, 10:48 (ugh). What an example of how NOT to race a 10k. Meh. I was very glad to be finished. 10k time: 1:02:35. Which meant my 5k+10k time was 1:29:18 — a huge PR from last year’s double.
Notice my forced smile and how gross and sweaty I am. I think I’d also just poured water over my head because I was so hot. In pic, me, Julie at Diving into the Gene Pool, Sue from This Mama Runs for Cupcakes, Kathryn at Dancing to Running and Mar from Mar on the Run.
Oiselle Team Love! Colleen and I, pre-5k. She was smart and only ran one race!
So, this wasn’t the best race for me, but I am really proud of the progress I’ve made. And, luckily, I had a fun Oiselle Team brunch to look forward to after the race…which meant of course, this:
My brunch order was bacon, a croissant, fruit and a mimosa. Because why not? Of course, in retrospect, I should have gotten something with more protein. I definitely needed it. But, the bacon was yummy, per usual!
Such a fun brunch with a great group of gals! Now, please, please, remind me of this post next year when I try and sign up for the double again, haha!
Back to back races: awesome or crazy? (I know my answer!)
Back to back races is awesome if it isn’t 80+ degrees and 70% humidity 😉 it was awesome seeing you my friend! Awesome job on the PR from last year!
haha, i’m still thinking this will be my last 2 races in 90 minutes situation for a LONG while!
I’m with you!!
Mar @ Mar on the Run recently posted…Week 12: One Month
I can definitely see how the weather on Saturday made this one difficult. I did a 5k that morning but finished before 9 and didn’t have a second race to do. Great job on persevering and still beating your time goal for the double!
Chaitali recently posted…Weekly Review
thank you – i’m definitely hoping fall temps come back soon!
I’ve never done a back-to-back race, but great job PRing! It sucks when the race doesn’t go as planned but you got it done. I also have trouble with going out too fast sometimes.
Jess recently posted…Food Prep, Running Shoes, and Good Reads
thanks – the race was fine, it was just way hotter than i expected 🙂
I’ve never done a double race – that sounds awesome! And really difficult. Pacing for 10Ks is SO HARD – they’re my least favorite race to try to PR. Congrats on PRing the double!
Gabby @ Marathons and Macarons recently posted…NYC Marathon Training Week 11: Hamptons Half Marathon
thanks gabby! 10ks are hard to pace but i do kind of love them 🙂
Awesome & crazy for sure. I made some of the same mistakes. It was hard not to run too fast on the 5k and then again at the beginning of the 10k. My last mile was so hard and slow but I did it! This was my longest run post injury so I am feeling good. So glad I saw you fly by on the 10k!
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Meatless Monday- “Squiche” w sundried tomatoes & spinach
OMG the last 2 miles were a strugglefest for me. Seeing you was a highlight for sure!!
I hate those races when the weather is crappy and you’re just not feeling it! I always feel like races should be fun and when they’re not, I’m always grumpy! Good for you for pushing through the feeling of a crappy race. And I like your post-race meal…all my favs!
Christine @ We Run Disney recently posted…My Decision for Richmond
thanks christine – the end of the 10k was rough but it was worth the PR for the double and the bacon that followed 🙂
It definitely got a lot warmer a lot sooner in the day than I had predicted that it would. For a few moments, I started wondering why I hadn’t signed up for the double, and only for the 10k, but in the end I’m glad that I only ran the 10k. Saturday was rough, but I’m definitely up for running the race again next year, and just sticking to the 10k again. If it weren’t for walking back up that hill, then maybe I’d be more up for trying out the double!
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Army Ten Miler Training Log – Week 4
Yeah, the 1.5 mile walk back does might it tight, but I’ve always made it back by the start time!
so sad i didn’t get to meet kathryn! what a ridiculous morning for me. i remember seeing you on the 5k course and trying to calculate where you were at about what time, since i had nothing better to do but walk. i could tell you were killing it. i will be happy to remind you of this post for next year’s clarendon double – hopefully whatever happens that weekend, i won’t be injured next time! 🙂
nevie recently posted…Self-pity and steely determination.
you definitely won’t, lady. at least you looked good out there 🙂
Congrats on a huge PR!!! Love the Oiselle shirt!
Christine recently posted…Howlin’ Coyote 10k Trail Race
thank you, christine!
I was in DC this weekend and saw where this race was going on. It sounded like a really fun one too, but I’m sure I’d make the same mistake as you if I doubled up on the races! I bet a lot of people did though if the start was downhill. All you can really do is just learn from it and remember that it is only a race, and you got to hang out with a lot of cool people and had a fun time even if the last part of the 10K was super miserable. The shirts for it are really cute though and it seems like a very well organized event. I saw a lot of flyers up for it around the DC running store I visited.
Amy Lauren recently posted…Sept 22-28 Recap: Training for the Fall Equinox 10K and Post-Race Recovery
oh, i hope you enjoyed DC! it was very very well organized – pacers always does a great job 🙂
Yep that was the store I visited in Alexandria!
Amy Lauren recently posted…Sept 22-28 Recap: Training for the Fall Equinox 10K and Post-Race Recovery
Congrats on getting a total PR though. I’ve never done back to back races but would definitely be interested in trying!
Daisy @ Fit Wanderlust Runner recently posted…Healthy Black Bean Avocado Brownies
you should give it a go if you have a chance!
Aw, you look great girl! So fun to have met so many bloggers!
Courtney, want to run the double with me next year? 😛 Congrats on the Double PR – what a feat for such a warm day! Interestingly on Sunday, Reston is about 10 degrees cooler than DC! Weird, huh? The bacon looks soooo good! See you tomorrow, I’ll make your run!
Jennifer recently posted…NYC Marathon Training 9/22-9/28 – Week 15
lol – yep i’m in! 🙂
Sorry the 10K was so tough. I really don’t do well on sunny courses. Thank goodness the Reston course was mostly shady.
Coco recently posted…Reston Perfect 10
yeah that reston course does have plenty of shade. saturday was so warm!
It was great running with you!! And great minds DO think alike. Brunch was so good. I got the quiche of the day and a side of bacon!
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes recently posted…Foodie Pen Pals
yay for bacon 🙂 it was great running with you, sue!
I have never run back to back races… even if it was tough, congrats on your PR !
Karen – Fit in France recently posted…A day in the life : a fall Saturday
thanks so much karen!
Wow! Even though you recognized things you might have changed, especially given the weather (OMG!), you totally ROCKED this event! Your 10K time was really great, after that crazy 5K?!? Awesome. You did great, Courtney! I’m so excited for you!! So wonderful that you were able to spend some time with fun folks afterward; thanks for sharing!
Tara @ Running ‘N’ Reading recently posted…Marathon Training Week 7
thanks tara – i forgot how hard that little break makes the 10k 🙂
Hey, you got a PR! WIN! 🙂
right? pr for the win! (even if it nearly did me in :))
Congrats on your PR, and great 5K run! Your splits are pretty impressive in your 10K, you just fell off a little in your last two miles. I’d never heard of the double until I read about it on a few blogs. It’s a great idea, but I’m not sure I could pace myself on the 5K to have anything left in the tank for the 10K. I love racing 5K’s, and oddly enough, 10K’s are my least favorite distance of all.
So cool that you got to see so many blogging friends. I hope to meet Mar at a race one of these days!
Debbie @ Deb Runs recently posted…Getting Back Into Training, Just In Time To Taper (September 22 – 28)
thanks debbie — those last 2 miles were brutal. it was really fun that so many bloggers ran this one — i can’t believe you haven’t met mar yet! hope to race with you again soon 🙂