On Sunday November 2nd I ran Potomac River
Running’s The Parks 10K. The Friday packet pick up for this race was at PRR’s
DC store which is conveniently located only a few blocks from my office….however
it was only from 11AM-2PM so if you do not work in the area or couldn’t take a
lunch break you were out of luck for this location and would either have to go
to the Tyson’s store on Saturday or get your stuff race morning. The race
premium was a The Parks 10K technical pullover with thumbholes (yay!).
The Parks 10K race
took you down Ohio Drive along the tidal basin beginning and ending at West
Potomac Park. That Sunday the weather was a not too chilly, about 46 degrees, but due to high winds it felt much colder! I decided to wear layers...a tech-tee with a running pullover on top, running tights, and a head band to cover my ears and protect them from the wind. I recommend really thinking about what you wear on those days that it seems pretty cold outside...always remember once you start running you're going to warm up. Personally I rather be a bit cold waiting for the race to start rather than over heat once I start running and either have to shed the extra layers and carry them or endure the heat. If it is a bit too cold or you are going to be standing around a while I would recommend bag check for your extra layers. It's also nice to be able to put on something warm and dry once you cross the finish line.
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| Trying to stop my Nike+ App before I cross the finish....forgot my GPS watch :( |
My friend Linda and I decided to meet at my office near the Old Post
Office Building and walk over but unfortunately due to Linda running late we
Ubered over to near the start. I suggest biking which I saw a lot of people did
and if you have your own bike or are a Capital Bike Share member is much more
affordable than Uber. …if you bike share make sure there are plenty of docks
available…there are three nearby stations but you never know especially if you
are running late. You can use the
SpotCylce App to see where bikes/docks are available and how many.
The race course is fast and very flat just as advertised and
if you are someone who has run MCM, Cherry Blossom 10 Miler, Rock n Roll DC,
Army 10 Miler or probably several other DC races you are very familiar with
this race course. Being an out and back race we had the wind at our backs on
our way out and then the wind pushing us back on the way back. Some gusts were
so powerful I could feel myself slowing. This was a smaller race with 1,477
finishers which allowed you to pass slower runner more easily or be passed more
easily. Ultimately I finished in 48:36
(7:50 min/miles) which was much faster than I thought and felt like I was
running so after two months of struggling to be under 8:30min/miles and get
past 5 miles I was thrilled!!!
I have to say this was a very fun race and I will most
likely be doing it again next year and cycling over.
