It started on Saturday night, August 28, when we drove to Mom and Dad's after packet pick up. Packet pick up was at the Navy/Marine Corps Stadium in Annapolis, which was also the start of the race.
Mom and Dad fixed my requested pre-race meal: sliders for everyone else and a veggie burger for me, home made potato salad (German style), and corn on the cob. Mom tried a new and very yummy potato salad that was made from fingerling potatoes. It had a lot of garlic, some lemon, and parsley---YUMMY!
We also had hors d'oeuvres as usual (see below--me with bean dip!--to give me a little extra motoring power the next day!)....
I went to bed totally stuffed and excited for my race the next day. The entire family was passed out on the couch at 9:30 and went up to bed before 10! (Yes, Mom included!)I drank a lot of water and I think I got up every hour until the race. I woke up a little nervous--it had been since mid June that I had run 10 miles and it had been since mid July that I had run a race....and to top it all off, it was supposed to be cooler but that doesn't mean much...so I was anxious to see how hot it was.
As it turned out...it was about 68 when we left for the race start---it felt magnificent! I had been so worried about the heat! The roads were clear and it was a quick drive down Ritchie Highway to the start....
We got there in plenty of time....it wasn't even fully light in the sky yet when we arrived. Mark and Soba took me---Mom and Dad stayed home and were supposed to sleep in, but had gotten up to wish me luck. The course was a difficult one for spectators to watch and after a lot of convincing Mom and Dad agreed that it might be for the best.
The start seemed slow considering the line itself never seemed that far away....it took almost five minutes to get to the start.
The race is capped at 5500 runners and it sells out in hours. It was another race that I had programmed in my iCal and had set the alarm to go off so that I would be sure to register when the race opened!
Below, you can see me waving to Mark as the race started and I finally crossed the start line!
Mark surprised me between Mile 3 and 4 by showing up on the course, at the top of a hill....it was a much welcomed surprise! :)
And there sat my Noodle, not even noticing that I went by!
Mark and Soba were at the finish line--and Mark caught this picture of me about to cross (you can see my legs at least!) I finished in 1:37.4....not a spectacular time, but I was really, really happy with it. It was near 80 when the race finished...still a very nice temperature but starting to get hot. They had ice cold hand towels for us at the finish line that cooled me down immensely quickly....felt so good! :) The race was a really nice one and I felt that I did a great job of pacing myself. I never felt terrible. I never felt that I was going too fast. I just felt great and enjoyed the run...which was a very nice way to celebrate my birthday a day early! :)
My splits were as follows:
Mile 1: 9:16
Mile 2: 9:30
Mile 3: 8:44
Mile 4: 10:01
Mile 5: 9:48
Mile 6: 10:14
Mile 7: 10:11
Mile 8: 9:36
Mile 9: 9:51
Mile 10: 10:22
It is also here that I should mention, while a beautiful course, it was far from flat---it was incredibly undulating!
Then...on to celebration part 3!
Mom made my birthday brunch...requested omlettes in a bag with hashbrowns as a side.
Lemon cupcakes for dessert with coolwhip instead of icing (although I was offered icing if I would prefer it) with flakes of coconut for on top!
A perfect summer treat! A nice rendition of a birthday cake Mom! Thanks! :)
Soba rested up--after all, he had had a very long, tiring morning watching everyone on the race course! :)
We had a wonderful weekend and I wouldn't have wanted to spend my 35th birthday any other way! :)
Oh and for those counting--15 races down, 5 to go! :)
My official race results are:
Amy Barba Trenkle #4929
Washington, DCAge: 34 Gender: F
| Distance | 10M |
| Clock Time | 1:37:40 |
| Overall Place | 2592 / 4581 |
| Gender Place | 925 / 2079 |
| Division Place | 169 / 4581 |
| Age Grade | 51.2% |
| Pace | 9:47 |
| 5M Chip | 47:15 |
| 10M Clock | 1:44:36 |
| Sext | 2080 |
| Divt | 331 |
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