The 2008 Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Race is in the history books. What a race and experience for me.
Let me say off the bat if you ever want to combine sightseeing with running, this is the race. This was one of the most beautiful courses I ever ran.
So now as you know my goal was to beat the bus. The course had a strict time limit, and if you were above 14 minutes a mile, then the bus would pick you up. Sunday was in the low 40's and rainy. It was drizzly with an occasional wind. I, being the weather wimp felt like, "Oh God no!"
My friend Kelly was kind enough to drive me down to the start area, and found parking! WOW! It was hard to get warmed up in this weather, and I had a feeling of dread. Still I got to my starting coral. There were around 12,000 runners. This race is the kick off of the running season in D.C.. The waves started, and I was in the last wave. Soon we were off.
The first 3 miles take you towards Hains Point, along the Potomac River. This area is flooded with cherry blossoms. They were in full glory, and I wished I could slow down and be a tourist, but I had a bus to beat. I was feeling ok, not great. I felt very out of shape and sloppy. No wonder, I have hardly trained this year!
I got to the mile 5 marker - 58:59. I was doing pretty well, but knew my body would start slowing down, and it did. Mile 6 was a bit of a struggle for me. I knew I had gone out too fast, but I actually planned that in case I slowed down. Not smart strategy. Just beyond the mile 6 marker were...the buses. They were menacingly lying in wait for slow poky runners. I knew they would soon hit the road.
The course went along the river to the Kennedy Center. This was a touch hilly, on an otherwise flat course. I chugged a bit, but made it to the Kennedy Center, just beyond it was the Watergate Complex. I gave a Nixonian peace sign and went on to the turn.
After the turn, maybe .2 miles away...they were slowly moving down the road - THE BUSES!!! A woman running a bit ahead looked over her shoulder at her friends and screamed, "It's the buses! Let's go! RUN!!!" Her friends looked like they were ready for the buses, but I wasn't. I picked things up a bit and headed to the Memorial Bridge.
Mile 8 was the middle of the bridge. I could Arlington National Cemetary ahead, and felt I could finish. I made the loop, and headed back over the bridge. There were the buses, hazard lights on, creepy like a spider towards its prey. "Not today buses," I thought. "You won't get me today." I moved a bit faster and got over the bridge. I ran past the Lincoln Memorial, and then by the Korean War Memorial. There were more and more people along the sides cheering us on.
I was physically tired. My shoulders hurt. My feet hurt. I wanted a hot shower. Still I ploughed ahead. Finally I saw the finish area, and I put the pedal to the metal. I knew at mile 7 I would not break 2 hours. So my goal was 2:05. I ran like a man possessed, and hit the finish line - 2:04:36.
I BEAT THE BUS!!!!!!!!!!
My friend Kelly met me at the finish line gave me a hug, and we cheered at how I beat the bus!
This race was a great lesson in what I need to do to be in shape this year. The gym and I are about to become really good friends.
No matter what else I do this year, I will take great satisfaction in knowing I beat the bus!
Charlie
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