George Washington Parkway Classic 10 Miler recap

One of my goals this year is to run longer distances. In November, one of my friends asked me and a whole bunch of our friends to run the GW Parkway Classic in April. I thought about not doing it for a hot second, but then decided, why not? I have plenty of time to train and accomplish the goal of running 10 MILES!!! The longest distance I had run before was a 10K and I was deadly afraid of that 10 mile mark, mainly because I did not want to disappoint myself or my fiance if I was not able to do it.

I started our training in January to give ourselves enough time to accomplish our goal. I usually take my race training very seriously, trying not to skip a workout, specially the weekly long runs, but as many of you know life happens and sometimes things come up. In January and February I took it easy because I was jut building my millage back up. In March and part of April I upped my millage and concentrated on my long runs and how to be successful on them.

Here is my millage by week:

Week 1: January 28-February 3
Monday: 3.18
Tuesday: zumba
Wednesday: off
Thursday: 3
Friday:off
Saturday: 2.1 walk
Sunday: 5.5

Week 2: February 4-10
Monday: off
Tuesday: 3
Wednesday: 2 walk
Thursday: 4
Friday: off
Saturday: off
Sunday: off

Week 3: February 11-17
Monday: 3
Tuesday: off
Wednesday: off
Thursday: 5
Friday: off
Saturday: 2.33
Sunday: 7 in a double session due to cold weather

Week 4: February 18-24
Monday: off
Tuesday: 4
Wednesday: off
Thursday: 4
Friday: off
Saturday: 2 walk
Sunday: off

Week 5: February 25- March 3
Monday: off
Tuesday: 2 walk
Wednesday: 3
Thursday: 3
Friday: off
Saturday: 3
Sunday: 8 run/walk 4/2

Week 6: March 4-10
Monday: 2 walk
Tuesday: off
Wednesday: 3.3
Thursday: 4
Friday: off
Saturday: 3.67 race
Sunday: 6.30 race

Week 7: March 11-17
Monday: 3
Tuesday: 2
Wednesday: 3
Thursday: off
Friday: off
Saturday: 3
Sunday: off

Week 8: March 18-24
Monday: off
Tuesday: 4
Wednesday: off
Thursday: off
Friday: off3 walk
Saturday: off traveling to florida
Sunday: 5

Week 9: March 25-March 31
Monday: off
Tuesday: 2
Wednesday: off
Thursday: 1
Friday: 3.13 around Disney Art of Animation and Pop Century
Saturday: walk around Magic Kindom and EPCOT
Sunday: off drive back home

Week 10: April 1-7
Monday: 2.25 walk
Tuesday: 3.05
Wednesday: off
Thursday: off
Friday: 3.18 race
Saturday: 3.92 race
Sunday: 9.06 walk run 6/1

Week 11: April 8-14
Monday: off
Tuesday: 3
Wednesday: 3
Thursday: off
Friday: 3.18 race fastest 5k
Saturday: off
Sunday: 10 miles mock 1:45:00 6/1 run/walk

Week 12: April 14-21
Monday: off
Tuesday: off
Wednesday: 2
Thursday: 3
Friday: 2.57 race
Saturday: off
Sunday: GW Parkway 10 Miler 1:40:00

I did not train like I really wanted to but as I said, life happens. At the end I was able to accomplish this goal.  The last few races I have been able to shift my thinking to a more positive one when it comes to races. I have come to understand that racing it's all about having a positive mindset.

The week of the race I was a little nervous. I had done 10 miles the week before so I knew I was ready. The day before the race my calf muscle started hurting and I found it hard to walk. I was nervous that it would prevent me from running the race. I made sure I iced my leg and elevated it. The next morning it was still bothering me, but there was no way I was not going to not do the race. I had put in the time and hours, so there was no way. I was going to complete it if it meant that I had to walk or crawl it.

At the end I ended up racing it and my left did not hurt until mile 7 or 8. At that point I was having such a good race that I put that pain in the back of my mind.

 I think I am a run walk convert... I was able to not only to run a faster pace, but I was able to maintain it due to my walking breaks. Also, the way the walk breaks worked out, I ended up walking most of the hills and you all know I hate hills.

Overall this has been my favorite race so far. We started at Mount Vernon (George Washington's house) and ran along the Potomac all the way to Old Town Alexandria. It was a flat course, which I really liked. We got to run on the road, so we were able to take in the scenery. One of my favorite places that I ran by was the Collingwood Library which will be the site of my wedding in August. So that was fun. Also, running through Old Town Alexandria was great also. Being able to run through such a historic place was amazing.

If I can run 10 miles so can anyone. The key is to train and never give up. Although I really enjoy racing, I am taking a break from it for a while. This does not mean that I will quit running, it means that I want to concentrate on other things in running in order to get better at racing.

I am looking forward to doing this race every year from now on.

Stay tuned for more posts on my awesome running adventures.

Until next time, keep your feet traveling
Nats