Army Ten Miler Race Recap
Chaos
Let’s just say it - the logistics for the Army Ten Miler are not what you would expect from a military run operation. Yes. I said it.
I had run the ATM back in 2018 (albeit borderline bandit style, more below) so I did not need to manage the bib pick up nonsense and some how I blocked out of my mind the maze that is race morning.
Few things to note if you plan to run ATM. Bib pick up is organized once you are inside the Armory. We planned to pick up our bibs on Saturday, the day before, in the afternoon. We knew it would be stupid crazy traffic. But we didn’t expect the line to wrap around the building to just get into the expo. Now there were 28,000 (or 26,00 depending on which announcer was giving the totals) runners attending so it makes sense but mannnn it was annoying.
If you can pick up your bib on Friday - save yourself the traffic. Or better yet buy a friend some coffee and dinner to have them pick up your bib.
My first ATM
I ran ATM in 2018. I was full speed ahead in the DC road racing lifestyle and as this was pre-pandemic this race sold out within days of opening. I wasn’t able to get a bib but when a co-worker at my then corporate job said she had a bib to sell I jumped on it. Now before you jump down my throat - I originally thought it was a transfer. Only after did I learn it was her mother’s bib because she wasn’t planning to run anymore. Her daughter (my co-worker) was still going to run, but mom was a scratch. So I did the next best option and ripped the timing chip off the back of the bib and raced with no splits or official time. Told ya I was a serial racer! I was terrified of getting caught and being banned. Taking the chip off the bib was the only way to ensure that I wouldn’t place in the 60-64 age division.
ATM 2023
OK now let’s talk about the race that I run legitimately. I signed up for this race in March 2023 with the goal of training hard and actually racing. Well 2023 had different plans for me. Looking back I think I was just burnt out from two years of non stop racing, 10 years of running 2 marathons a year and honestly just tired. I kept my miles consistent but didn’t do the speed work I had intended.
Race Morning
We arrived at 6:15AM and parked on the street just past the Pentagon City Mall. I debated paying for parking at the mall but took my chances and there were plenty of spots outside the Virginia Highlands Parks (soccer fields) We hung out in the car finishing breakfast and scrolling instagram before making our way to the starting area at 6:30AM. It was 48-50 degrees this morning - so sweats over our running clothes were a must. I always keep a rubbermaid container of throw away clothes for times like this.
Walk to the Pentagon
My advice on race morning, follow the herds of humans walking to the start. This has worked for every race I have run. Even at 6:30AM there are people heading to where you want to go. Our wave was scheduled to start at 8:00AM and we wanted to get down there no later than 7/7:15AM to warm up. (If you are placed in a later wave, you do not have to arrive as early as we did. Although parking may be tougher.)
Gear Check
Once under the 395 under pass it was relatively easy to find the gear drop. The only annoying part was we used Cody’s bib number (he’d finish first and would want to get clothes to put on over his running clothes to wait for me to finish) and at bib pick up they told him they lost his bib….yes they lost his original number. So he had to get another re-assigned to him and it was in wave 10. He was panicked they were not going to let him to the start of the race - he’s wave 1. (Spoiler he finished 20th out of 26,000-28,000 runners. Starting in wave 10 was not going to work for him) The women at gear check were super cheerful and we dropped our post race clothes and headed to the start.
Walking to the Start
This is where it gets confusing. You enter the runners only area but then they tell you nothing. There is a black fence along the back, you are to go behind that and follow it down to Route 110 to the start. I guessed and you guessed it…followed others doing the same….behind the fence and hoped for the best. By now it was 7:12AM, a little later than we wanted but it worked out because we saw one of our athletes on the way. Kismet. Follow the road another .5 mile and the starting line is lined with balloons for each wave.
Warming up
We hoped over the concrete barrier to the northbound side of 110 for warm ups. It was perfect. We jogged a mile or so as the Golden Knights were descending upon us - I totally forgot they do this and it is absolutely amazing! For a ten miler I do not recommend a super long warm up - 1-1.5 miles is plenty. A few drills or dynamic stretching can also help your performance.
The start
Cody took off and made his way to the front of the line. No questions asked. In fact as I lined up I noticed a rainbow of bibs around me. No one was checking. No one cared. It was chaos. Bibs of all colors. Now if you’re new to wave starts there is a reason you have a certain colored bib - it is based on your expected finishing time. It helps to keep all runners of similar paces in the same pack. It is not just a safety thing but also helps runners run better. Be a good human and seed yourself in the proper wave - don’t be like the silly pants that start in earlier waves “to get more time” you just become a danger to others/yourself plus it’s super demotivating to have people pass you for 10 miles.
The Race
Miles 1-3
My plan was, I have no plan. I wasn’t as trained as I wanted to me. I had run a half marathon the month before but that was for fun, so I had no idea what my fitness was like. I planned to start slow and find a pace that felt steady - a little easy but a little hard. I watched a runners flew past me and I could hear their heavy breathing. I didn’t wear headphones and loved taking in the sounds around me. There was one woman in particular that I noticed, she wouldn’t let me pass her. It was odd. I was running pretty even and every time I would inch up to her she would sprint ahead just to fall back a few minutes later. The coach in me wanted to talk to her and help her strategize but then I remember I had my own race to run. (I ended up passing her at mile 4 and never saw her again, a gentle reminder to start slow and finish strong)
At mile 2? I heard my name - but no clue who yelled it! It wasn’t until after the race I received a message from an athlete that they saw me at the Key Bridge and yelled for me! They said I looked “focused” - nope just cold! My hands were slightly numb still and all I wanted to do was get over the bridge :-) Thank you Nicci!
Miles 4-5
I was settled. I had found my pace. As we ran down the Whitehurst Freeway I took advantage of the slight downhill and just let my body run. I didn’t push the pace but I enjoyed the help from gravity. I told myself I would take a gel at mile 5 and then not make a move until after I hit the 14th street bridge. I was eager to push it but also wanted to stick to my plan, it was working so far so I wasn’t going to chance anything.
Miles 6-7
As we headed down Independence Ave I started to feel the push from the Gu that I took at mile 5.5 - I felt like I was flying. Watching the runners on my right coming from the “around the block” at mile 6 was motivating and gave me boost. I was looking for familiar faces to distract myself with, I saw a few from my run club which was a big boost! I had honestly been dreading this little around the block portion at mile 6 - it was better than a turnaround point but still a little annoying. I hugged right to run the tangents as best as possible and then back to Independence to make our way onto the 14th street bridge.
Mile 7 is the bridge. I have run Marine Corps Marathon 3x but always forget how long this bridge is. Right before we started it I ran into a friend and athlete, Erin, we chatted a bit about how our races were going and then each took off to finish strong. That little convo was the boost I didn’t know I needed to get over the bridge. Note to self for next year: find a friend here to help boost you over the bridge.
Miles 8-9
Once you get over the bridge, it’s really “not that bad” Although the wind this year was 17-25mph winds I didn’t really feel it until mile 8. I grabbed water at an aid station and when I went to dispose of my cup the wind picked up and almost swiped my cup across the face of a volunteer. opps. Sorry about that! That turn down Eads St felt so good and I was ready to finish strong. I had held steady the first 9 miles and I was ready to push it the final mile.
Mile 10
I found my threshold pace the final mile of the race, dropped my pace and started counting everyone I was passing. I felt good. My legs had started to feel the race at mile 7 but in a good way - my breathing wasn’t labored and I didn’t feel like puking, always a win! As we tucked under 395 and turned right on Boundary Channel Dr I noticed all of our warm ups were still sitting at the start line - could I get back our warm ups from the morning? - ok back to the finish line! I pushed forward and finished the final mile faster than any other mile of the day.
Final Time 1:22:16 - a ten second PR.
Yes a PR. I also PR’d my 10K during the race. A happy accident.
The temps were perfect today for racing. My efforts felt right. I listened to my body and I pushed myself just enough. I am back, I am ready to train. This past year off has been amazing for my physical and mental being. I even ran the numbers on this 10 Miler and even though I know I can’t run a marathon right now - my fitness is still where it was last year when I pr’d my marathon. This year was not for nothing, it was exactly what I needed.
…and yes I made my way back to the start and collected our warm ups that were sitting nicely folded on the concrete barriers. They get to live for another race!
