My race experience - 5+ (Out of 5)
Officially this was the mid term. The race date for Patrick Henry was marked in our training manuals which we received on Day 1 of marathon training. I registered for Patrick Henry early and also became a RRRC member because of the discounts I was getting in both Cul-de-Sac and PH. Morning announcements, mails and social posts started kicking in as the day reached closer. I already had a half marathon in my belt (Lynchburg), so i was kind of confident of finishing the race. So the question was can i do better than my first one.
In August the day starts early and the location was just half hour drive from home, so it was an easy commute too. I chose to pick my bib on the race day morning. Even though there are almost 1000 runners, the organisers keep it low key with a 3 hour cut off to make it a perfect mid way prepration for runners planning for late Autumn marathons.
I reached early on the race day and parked near to the location where our training team planned to meet before the race. The packet pick-up was at walkable distance from there. It was a cold morning for August, but the sky was clear. The start was next to rail line passing through Ashland and there was a Amtrak stop on the other side. There was rush at the packet pick up, but with so many volunteers, the lines quickly moved. I got bib 566. I went back to my car to keep the stuff and then meet fellow Pink team members for benediction.
Our morning benediction by head coach Blair, is the most positive and powerful thing that you could be part of before a run. It actually works.You are motivated to give 100% after the benediction.
The race started at 7 am, after one of the morning trains passed the station. I started rather conservatively and lot of people passed me in first one mile (or i should have started back of crowd). Coach Michael commented 'This is good pace, save your energy for later' as he passed me. The first 1.5 mile was like a run around the block which took us back near the start line, where a big crowd including coaches, supporters cheered us.
After first 3 miles the houses disappeared and i could see some farms far away. The change in scenery was good for the run. Afer half a mile i saw faster runners coming back on the left side, means there was a U-turn nearby. That turn was a mile 4 with a SAG just before that.
Starting mile 5 the route took us to the country side, with big farms, rolling hills and narrow roads. With good scenery and fine weather, i picked up some pace which was halted by a gradual up slope at mile 6, but then as we took a turn it was almost 2 miles of good running comfortable down hill. I met coaches along the way who cheered me up. They were encouraging and running with people not having a good day or need slight motivation. The scenery kept changing on narrow roads with woods and farms. The voluteers at SAGs were cheering people and making weary runners feel good. As i approached mile 10 to take the final turn, I took an extended walk break drinking water thinking how to tackle the hill at 11. The mile 10 was downhill, making me think more about the hill that is coming up. The mile 11 marker showed up and with it a sign saying something like Hills are your friend.
As i started on the hill, coach John showed up he ran with me for few yards then went back to pick people stuggling. The hill was over sooner than i thought and i could see downhill in front, and i wondered was this the hill they talked about. While running the hill i also met this lady who was part of team Navy (Saturday intermediate) recovering from injury. We started running together which was a big help as the downhill was a short pleasure, the gradual uphill started before mile 12. I saw coach Blair who encouraged us - 'The hard part is done'. I was tired now tackling the second hill as i was not ready for it, but the Navy lady was running so i tagged along. We actually picked the pace as it was just one more mile to go. There was a lot of cheering for me as i was in our Pink team shirt, which incidentally was very famous among Patrick Henry runners and spectators.
We passed the team gathering place and familiar faces started cheering, and then it was the final turn just quarter mile before the finish line. I could see the finish line far away and picked up pace. We crossed finish line together. I looked at my watch which said 2:25 which was 5 min better than i expected.
I had a great run - running with team mates, encouraged by coaches,so much support along the way for Pink Nation and a better than expected time.
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In August the day starts early and the location was just half hour drive from home, so it was an easy commute too. I chose to pick my bib on the race day morning. Even though there are almost 1000 runners, the organisers keep it low key with a 3 hour cut off to make it a perfect mid way prepration for runners planning for late Autumn marathons.
I reached early on the race day and parked near to the location where our training team planned to meet before the race. The packet pick-up was at walkable distance from there. It was a cold morning for August, but the sky was clear. The start was next to rail line passing through Ashland and there was a Amtrak stop on the other side. There was rush at the packet pick up, but with so many volunteers, the lines quickly moved. I got bib 566. I went back to my car to keep the stuff and then meet fellow Pink team members for benediction.
Our morning benediction by head coach Blair, is the most positive and powerful thing that you could be part of before a run. It actually works.You are motivated to give 100% after the benediction.
The race started at 7 am, after one of the morning trains passed the station. I started rather conservatively and lot of people passed me in first one mile (or i should have started back of crowd). Coach Michael commented 'This is good pace, save your energy for later' as he passed me. The first 1.5 mile was like a run around the block which took us back near the start line, where a big crowd including coaches, supporters cheered us.
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| Right turn at mile 1.5, next to rail line (This photo is a link from event page of Sports Backer Website) |
Starting mile 5 the route took us to the country side, with big farms, rolling hills and narrow roads. With good scenery and fine weather, i picked up some pace which was halted by a gradual up slope at mile 6, but then as we took a turn it was almost 2 miles of good running comfortable down hill. I met coaches along the way who cheered me up. They were encouraging and running with people not having a good day or need slight motivation. The scenery kept changing on narrow roads with woods and farms. The voluteers at SAGs were cheering people and making weary runners feel good. As i approached mile 10 to take the final turn, I took an extended walk break drinking water thinking how to tackle the hill at 11. The mile 10 was downhill, making me think more about the hill that is coming up. The mile 11 marker showed up and with it a sign saying something like Hills are your friend.
As i started on the hill, coach John showed up he ran with me for few yards then went back to pick people stuggling. The hill was over sooner than i thought and i could see downhill in front, and i wondered was this the hill they talked about. While running the hill i also met this lady who was part of team Navy (Saturday intermediate) recovering from injury. We started running together which was a big help as the downhill was a short pleasure, the gradual uphill started before mile 12. I saw coach Blair who encouraged us - 'The hard part is done'. I was tired now tackling the second hill as i was not ready for it, but the Navy lady was running so i tagged along. We actually picked the pace as it was just one more mile to go. There was a lot of cheering for me as i was in our Pink team shirt, which incidentally was very famous among Patrick Henry runners and spectators.
We passed the team gathering place and familiar faces started cheering, and then it was the final turn just quarter mile before the finish line. I could see the finish line far away and picked up pace. We crossed finish line together. I looked at my watch which said 2:25 which was 5 min better than i expected.
I had a great run - running with team mates, encouraged by coaches,so much support along the way for Pink Nation and a better than expected time.
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