Sunday, October 30, 2016

Capitol 10 Miler (WW #65)

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10 WEEKS and COUNTING

Week At A Glance:

M   Rest
T    Ran 5 Miles Progressive
       (10:08/9:49/9:34/9:08/8:45)
W   Ran 4 Miles Easy
T    Ran 3 Miles Easy
F    Rest
S    Ran 2 Miles + Capitol 10 Miler
S    Cycled 20 Miles (14.7 mph 150 HR)

Total Ran = 24
Total Cycled = 20
     
  

Front view of Capitol Building

We have a fairly new race in town.  The Capitol 10 Miler is only in it's 3rd year.  I missed it last year with a fractured foot and the first year I was away running a half marathon.  I was excited to participate this year.  It is on much of our local half marathon course but the steepest and longest hills are thankfully omitted.  No worries -- there were still plenty of rollers.  Since this is a distance I've never raced before, I would also have an automatic PR


I thought the race was very well attended compared to others I've participated in recently.  My car told me it was 60 degrees when I arrived.  Since the forecast was to be near 90 {fall where are you?}, I knew it would warm up very quickly.  I'm back in marathon training mode and needed to run 12 miles as my long slow run.  I made the decision to run 2 miles just before the race began.

Valerie and I at the finish.

I started off feeling good.  Too good.  I knew some of those early miles were too fast and might come back to haunt me.  It took me forever to catch up to my friend Valerie [@icecreamrunner] but finally did around mile 3 or 4.  We just waved and grimaced smiled.  We were working too hard to talk.



It really is a beautiful course through older neighborhoods and the downtown area.  I appreciated the smattering of spectators, signs and musicians.  I felt really strong through mile 7, but then began to tire and slow.  Looking at the elevation chart -- it now makes sense.  By this time, I could also feel the heat of the day.  I trudged through those last challenging uphill miles as best I could, wondering if maybe I should not have run those 2 miles prior to the race.  


Side view of Capitol Building.

All in all, it was a gorgeous day to be outside.  I was doing what I love to do.  I have zero complaints.   It was a solid training run for me and I'm glad I ran it through the beautiful streets of the capitol city versus my regular neighborhood route.  As a solid mid-packer, I was completely floored to win third in my AG after allowing my average pace to slip to 9:25.  My official finish time was 1:34:17.  {And yes, I can happily report there were more than three people in my age group.  Many more!}

And that's a wrap! 


Have you ever run a 10 mile race?

What's your favorite race distance?  And, why?


93 comments:

  1. I really love the 10 mile race distance. I ran the Tarheel 10 miler in Chapel Hill a few years ago and there is a killer hill at the end. I've also done a few 15k's. Congrats on your age group award!! I love those days where the weather is perfect and you just feel good.

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    1. Why do they always put the killer hills at the end? LOL. I wish we had more 10 milers around here. We do have a 15k in the spring but I've never done that one either. I should!

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  2. Ten miles is my favorite distance!! There's something about skipping those last 3 miles that makes it feel so much more doable. Congrats!! You had a fantastic run- especially given the heat and the hills!

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    1. Thanks! I wish we had more of these around here. Yes, I was very grateful not to run three more miles with those hills.

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  3. I've never run more than a 10k, but I'm considering training for a half-marathon next year. It's a little daunting as I said I'd never run long distance. Anyway Congrats on your AG award, and great pics. Hope you have a great week.

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    1. Deciding to run a half marathon is scary and challenging! But, the reward is unimaginable. You can do it!

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  4. I love 10 milers. I wish there were more of them. Great job on yours.

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    1. Me too! I wish I could have paced it better. Next time!

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  5. Congrats on placing third in your age group! I have only ran one ten miler. Sounds like it was a beautiful day. Good for you getting two more miles in before the race. Call me lazy, but I would never run prior to a race....lol.

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    1. Ha. This is the first time I've attempting running miles before a race. Trust me, I really questioned that decision during the last 2 miles!

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  6. I've never run a 10-miler. They're so few and far between and I've always had some other race on my schedule when they've come up. Congrats on your race and on placing! :-)

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    1. Thank you. I wonder why there aren't more of them? Maybe because of the popularity of the half marathon?

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  7. I love the 10 mile distance. Still short enough to push your pace... Congrats on the AG award!

    I can't believe WDW is only 10 weeks away? What?

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  8. Congrats Holly! Way to throw down a strong 10 miler and snag an AG spot. That 10 mile distance is my fave. Way to make the most of your marathon endurance!

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    1. Thanks! I didn't pace it well. I should have looked at elevation info of the route. But, I was very appreciative to have snagged an AG award.

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  9. I haven't done a 10 miler in quite some time -- I used to love that distance but I haven't run more than 5-6 miles at once since having the baby a few months ago. Need to get back at it! You look like you had a great time - congrats!

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    1. Thanks. It was a beautiful day to be outside. That always makes me happy!

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  10. Congrats on your age group place! I used to run the Cherry Blossom 10-Miler and Reston 10-Miler regularly - I like that distance, but haven't run either race in a few years. The marathon was my favorite distance for years until I could no longer run them. Now the 5K is my favorite. If I can't be absolutely exhausted from running the distance, then I want to be exhausted from pushing myself as hard as possible for 3.1 miles!

    Thanks for the linkup!

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    1. Those 5ks are quite the challenge! I'm afraid they leave me utterly exhausted. LOL.

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  11. Congrats!! I love the 10-mile distance....but those first few miles can make or break your finish time LOL

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    1. Thank you. I wished I had done my homework and checked the course elevation. I went out way too fast and paid for it later. I still enjoyed the race immensely.

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  12. Woohoo! 10 milers are my favorite. That hill profile still looks impressive - congrats on your AG prize!

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    1. Thanks! Oh, how I wish I could run your speed for a 10 miler!

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  13. I don't know what to squeal in excitement over first. I guess it has to be--another marathon! I missed that news, so thanks for posting it again! Very excited for you! And second, awesome job on the 10-miler! Congrats!

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    1. Thanks! Yep, I bit that bullet. Disney is just too much fun to pass up.

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  14. LOL That made made me laugh that you said there were more than 3 people in your AG. Congrats on your win! I have never raced that distance before, but it sounds fun.

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    1. As you get older, the age groups shrink considerably! I really enjoyed this race.

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  15. I enjoy running in semi-familiar areas (but not my same running path) as you often find yourself running faster than the last time you were out there. I'd probably call my favorite race distance something less than a marathon at the moment (haha). Either a half, or maybe the 10k?

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    1. I should mix up routes more often. It was nice just to run in a different place for a change.

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  16. I ran a 10 miler once! It was a trail race though so the time looked more like my half time because that trail was hard. It is a neat distance though. Glad you got the 2 miles in and still placed, I think you would have regretted not doing the 2 miles before because in the end, you want the race to meet your overall training goals, you know? I had to run 3 miles before my half on Saturday but I'm glad I did it before and not after (I would not have run after since there was an after party). You did a great job with the race!!

    Besides that, it looks like you had a good week of training and are enjoying the beginnings of marathon training mode again.

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    1. Yes, I'm glad I ran the extra miles first. The last few miles were tough and I was spent. I don't think I could have run any more.

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  17. I do love 10-milers - wish they weren't so hard to find! Congrats on your AG!!

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    1. I think the half marathon distance is so popular that they just don't have many 10 milers because of that. I did enjoy the distance!

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  18. Awesome job on your 10 miler! Congrats on the AG place! I think the only 10 miler I've ran was the Cherry Blossom 10 miler in 2013.

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    1. I've heard a lot of great things about that one! It would extra sweet incredible IF all the cherry trees were in bloom. You can't always plan that exactly though.

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  19. I like the 10 miles distance but there are not too many of them here in France. Congrats on the AG win ! And marathon training already ? Wow, you rock ! I am loving the taper and looking forward to some down time. I haven't even started thinking about 2017 races yet. I want a break.
    Have a great week.

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    1. Winter is our prime racing season here in the South. I took a break in early summer before training for Chicago. I definitely look forward to another summer break, if I can hold out until then. LOL.

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  20. Congratulations on the age group placing.

    I like 10 mile races but have only done two. There just aren't that many around!

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    1. Thanks. I believe the popularity of the half marathon is the culprit of having few 10 milers.

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  21. I love the 10 mile distance! Its not quite as demanding as a half but also not a ridiculous pace like some of the shorter races. Congrats on the AG award!

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    1. I was very relieved not to have to run three more miles! I hope I can pace the next one a little better.

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  22. Congrats! That is an awesome finish! I have a 15K in December- that is as close as I get to a 10 miler- that does sounds like a great distance! Keep smiling!

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    1. I've never run a 15K either but we do have one in the Spring that has a monster hill called "The Beast". And now you know why I've never participated!

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  23. This would have been my first 10 miler too, if I had been able to ale it. I will get one under my belt one day! I really think my favorite distance to race is the 10k though. Congratulations on your AG win and impressed that you are back in marathon training mode!!!

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    1. Well, I can certainly report it was a nice race. Put it on your list for next year.

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  24. Great job on the race. I haven't done a 10-miler race before, but that would've been fun compared to just running 10 and trying to stay focused. My mind tends to wonder when I have a long run.

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    1. I definitely zone out on long runs! I need to be paying attention.

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  25. Congrats on the AG victory and automatic PR! I enjoy 10 milers - they're not too long and not too short! Excited to follow you on another round of marathon training! :)

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    1. Got to love those automatic PRs! Next year I'll have to work extra hard to beat my time.

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  26. My favorite race distance is 10 miles! It's just enough to feel accomplished, but somehow feels less intimidating than a half marathon. My favorite 10 miler is the Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run in Washington DC.

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    1. I've heard to many wonderful things about Cherry Blossom! It would be so cool so actually see all the blooming cherry trees too.

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  27. Congrats on your AG award! I cannot believe the weather for some parts of the U.S. I live in CT and on Saturday it was around 39 degrees in the morning and then on Sunday we reached a high of 75 degrees - I just don't get it! lol

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    1. This is definitely the summer that will not end. We are supposed to get a break this weekend. I won't believe it until I feel it.

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  28. Congrats on that age group finish! Especially given that elevation chart and warm temperatures. It sounds like a tough race.

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    1. Thanks! It was tough...but honestly, they all feel tough at some point.

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  29. I've ran a few 10 mile races, all when I was living on the East Coast. Seems they are more popular there? It's a nice distance but I remember losing steam at the end as well. Awesome job in your race and congrats on the AG award!

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    1. Thanks. The next time I run one, hopefully I can pace it a little better. It would help to look at the elevation chart. HA.

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  30. Congrats!!! That's awesome! I've never done a ten mile race before, but enjoy that distance.

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  31. You ran before the race and still won your AG - now that's fantastic! Congrats!!!

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    1. Thanks. I'm not sure if it was the wisest thing to do. At least I was good and warmed up when the race started.

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  32. Honestly, I don't think I've ever done a 10 miler. There are a few around here, it's just never made sense with what I'm training for. But I LOVE those medals, something different than just a straight up round medal. And CONGRATS on that AG win!

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    1. I think they did a great job with the medals! It's just the right size too.

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  33. I love your little Mickey countdown. Its quite appropriate for me to see given that we leave Wednesday evening for Wine and Dine. :)

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    1. I need to put Wine and Dine on my list. But, it is such a hard time for us to get away.

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  34. Congratulations on your 10 MIler! that is a really cool medal! and an awesome plaque!!

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    1. Thanks! I think they did a great job with both the medal and awards.

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  35. I totally agree it is an automatic PR on this distance! I think I would really like this distance, we just don't have many around us and I'm not sure why?
    Great job on those hills you really have a great city to run in.

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    1. The next 10 miler I run, I'll have the added pressure of beating my time. I think the popularity of the half prevents us from having many 10 milers. We ran through all those beautiful homes again. I love that route.

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  36. wow-you rocked your race! congrats! I ran my first 10 miler a few weeks ago and it was a hot mess! and im loving the mickey countdown as it reminds me too of when my next marathon is

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    1. I hope I get the opportunity to do more of this distance. It's exciting that Disney is so close!

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  37. I've never run a 10 miler, well in a race. In fact I am not even sure we have any around here, or maybe we do and I just am oblivious, LOL. Sounds fun, you get the benefits of distance, but still short enough to enjoy the race!
    Congrats on rocking 3rd place in AG, your are seriously an always great runner!!!!

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    1. I don't think there are many races of this distance due to the popularity of the half marathon. I did enjoy not running those extra 3 miles!

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  38. I love 10 mile races. Wished there were more of those in Chicago. Congrats on winning in your AG.

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    1. Thanks! I think this is the ONLY one around here.

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  39. I love 10 milers! There aren't many by me and usually the ones I have wanted to do fall during my.other race weekends so I've only done the Disney one they used to have so far. I'd definitely love to do another at some point though! Great job on your AG award! That's so exciting!

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    1. Thanks. I was happy I was able to participate this year but like you wish there were more around.

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  40. Congrats! What a great way to train :)

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    1. I did think it was a great long "tempo-ish" type of run -- although I slowed toward the end.

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  41. Great job!

    I raced a 10 miler on Sunday, but used it as a training run (I had to do 12 as well). It's a very old, established race in our community , and it comes at a perfect time of year for me and my half training. Ours is through a historic cemetery and it's really quite lovely.

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    1. We have a 5k in a neighboring town that runs through a cemetery and that is one of my favorite routes!

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  42. I just did my first 10 mile race earlier this month. It's an enjoyable distance! Congrats on the AG award!

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    1. Thanks! I definitely will look for more races of this distance, although I may have to travel. I have several major cities within 90 minutes, which is quite doable to me.

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  43. I like the ten mile distance. It's amazing how different it feels from a half and it makes a good step between a 10K and a half when you're new to running. I wish there was a similar mid-distance race between a half and full marathon. Congrats on the AG award!

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    1. It didn't feel nearly as hard as a half. When things got really tough, I knew I only had a couple of miles left...not 5 or 6!

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  44. My favorite race distance - whatever race is coming up. I'm looking forward to a 50K in 11 days. Congrats on placing third in your AG!

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    1. Ha! So true. Good luck at your next 50k. I'm not sure I'll ever tackle that distance. Maybe...

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  45. Congrats on the race PR and AG award!!!
    It's still not fall here in SC ( but should be soon!) it was hot for the races over the weekend here as well.
    My favorite race distance is the 5k. It's short, sweet and painful but it's over with quickly! The full marathon distance seems so daunting in my eyes! I completely respect the distance and admire everyone who has the guts to face that type of distance in a race or training run. That just takes crazy to the next level, lol!!

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    1. You are so good at the 5k distance too! I do run them because I think they are great for speed work practice but I suffer the whole time!

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  46. You are right about this time of year. I've got a half maybe two up my sleeve as well. I will *blink* and it will be time to run at Disney!

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  47. Wow - you are definitely not slowing down even after your marathon HoHo. Congrats on that AG win - you are in awesome shape!!

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    1. Thankfully, other than banged up knees, I came out of the marathon in great shape. Whew!

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