So on Sunday I ran the Cherry Blossom 10-miler as one of the lucky 15,000 people to be selected through a lottery system to run the race. Last year, I won an entry to the race but freaked out at the last minute about the 2:20 course time limit and dropped down to the 5k. This year, I decided to play with the big kids and run the full 10 miles race. Part of me was nervous I wouldn’t make the time limit for the race but seeing as every time I’ve run 10 or more miles in the past 6 months, I have always gotten through the first 10 in under the time limit, so I felt that I could do it.

And I did.

Woot. Woot. 

I have to say I am pretty proud of my results. I went into the race just trying to finish under the set time limit but I also was hoping I could push myself and get as close to a 2-hour finish as possible. I succeeded and this was the race I needed. I needed to prove to myself that I could push myself that way. I needed to know that I could push myself and still feel like I could go another 3 miles. In a few weeks I will be running another ½ marathon and I really (really) want to break 2:45. Yes that may be a lofty goal after only doing a 3 hour ½ about 2 weeks ago but I would like to try my hardest.

So, how did the Cherry Blossom 10-miler go? I have to say that I really enjoyed it. I’ve never done a 10-mile race before so I don’t really have anything to compare it too, but I really enjoyed the distance. I’m definitely going to do more 10-mile races and of course will definitely try to run this race again (should the lottery pickings be in my favor).

The course for CUCB started on the grounds of the Washington Monument and took you down Independence Avenue towards Memorial Bridge. After running across the bridge and back, you ran up Rock Creek Pkwy towards the Kennedy Center. After that, you ran around the Tidal Basin and then all the way around East Potomac Park to Hains Point and back, with the finish of the race bringing you back to the grounds of the Washington Monument.

This race is very well organized and the amenities on the course were very well handled. I never felt like I didn’t know where I was going or felt like if I had a problem I wouldn’t be attended to. I know that there were a number of emergencies on the course that day and each and every one was handled with care and the people who were involved were taken care of.

So yes, the Cherry Blossom 10-miler was a great race. I highly recommend entering the lottery for entry into next years race, I know I will.