2024 Cherry Blossom 10 Miler
Prologue
Training
In Washington, D.C., the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler is the premier spring race. Last year, the race introduced a 5K the day before the race. It also added a “Double Blossom” competition for runners who do both races. Of course, I signed up for the Double Blossom.
After missing the 2024 Boston Marathon by 5 seconds, I decided to run the 2024 Ottawa Marathon in May. I started training in late January following a plan in Advanced Marathoning by Pete Pfitzinger (aka “Pfitz”).
I missed multiple workouts during the first two weeks due to bad weather or not getting up early enough.
In February, my boss asked me to take on two special projects at work, one of which required attending a daily meeting at 9 am. I scrambled to rearrange my schedule to fit with my training schedule.
At the end of the month, construction on the W&OD Trail caused me to change most of my frequent routes.
In March, my training started coming together. My overall mileage hit over 60 miles/week, and the paces for my runs were falling.
The race came at the end of Week 11 of the training cycle when I entered the race preparation phase.
I ran a 20-miler last Saturday during race week because I knew I wouldn’t have a long run this week
Cost
The cost for the Double Blossom was $139.40.
Goals
Achievable
Sub-1:20:00 (8:00 pace). Last year, I ran 1:20:34 (8:04 pace), and I felt as thought I was in as good or better shape this year as last.
Stretch
Sub-1:19:00 (7:54 pace). Given my performance the day before at the 2024 Cherry Blossom 5K, maybe I could ran a little faster.
Personal Records
Grandmaster
PR and Most Recent 10 Miler: 1:22:39 (8:16 pace), 2022 Cherry Blossom 10 Miler
Master
10 Miler and Course PR: 1:08:26 (6:51 pace), 2014 Cherry Blossom 10 Miler
Course
It’s a fast course. It starts at the Washington Monument and heads across Independence Avenue to the Arlington Memorial Bridge. Then, it goes up to the Kennedy Center on Rock Creek Parkway. From there, the course heads south to Ohio Drive for a short loop. Next, it’s back to the National Mall before entering East Potomac Park (“Hains Point”) and returning to the Washington Monument.
There are water stops at Miles 2.5, 4, 6, 7.5, and 8.7. Crowd support is highest around the tidal basin.
Strategy
My goal was to go out at 8:10 pace from the start and hope I wasn’t too exhausted from the 5K the day before to hold on.
Playlist
I forgot my headphones at home! But I was planning to listen to the playlist I created last year with 1 hour and 28 minutes of music.
Pre-race
During my lunch break on Friday, I went to the expo at the National Building Museum. The line was ridiculously long but shorter than last year, so I was more annoyed than angry. I hadn’t worn a jacket so I was a bit cold. Someone in a Stumpy costume came by.
Once inside, I met up with my boyfriend, who ran the 10 miler. But I stayed in another line for a few minutes. I got my bib and three shirts before heading to the expo floor. I bought a visor, but most of my Nike ones are getting worn.
I had salmon and french fries for dinner, which wasn’t the greatest for carbohydrates, but I thought it would be fine. I was in bed by 9:30 p.m. but couldn’t fall asleep imme
Saturday
On Saturday, I ran the 2024 Cherry Blossom 5K. After the race, I drove to Einstein Brothers Bagels, satisfying a craving for a Nova Lox bagel. That night, my boyfriend’s sister and brother-in-law visited, and we all ate dinner at a local Greek restaurant—not the carbohydrate-dense food I should have had, given that I was racing again the next day, but it was still filling.
My boyfriend’s sister was in town, so we had dinner at a local Greek restaurant.
Race Day
I woke up hungry, which I took to be a bad sign. I rushed to prepare for the race and wore a light long-sleeve Lululemon shirt and Oiselle shorts. I also fed the dog and took her for a short walk. My boyfriend, who was also running the 10 milers, and I left the house around 6:15 am for the race that started at 7:30 am.
I ate a cereal bar and a banana in the car. We parked in our usual spot on E Street, just south of the George Washington University campus.
I left the car at 7:10 am for my warm-up run. I timed it well enough to arrive at the start line by around 7:20 am. I settled into the Red Wave and scanned the crowd for runners who might be in my age group. After a few announcements, the runners were off!
Weather
Initially, the temperature was a little cold, but it was perfect for racing!
The Race
Miles 0-5 (National Mall, Arlington Memorial Bridge, Kennedy Center, Tidal Basin)
The start was a bit anticlimactic. The road was riddled with potholes in this location, so I watched my footing more than soaked in my surroundings. Thankfully, runners mainly kept a straight line, and I didn’t find myself weaving at all.
Approaching the Lincoln Memorial, I finally lifted my head and marveled at the crowds and the nice weather. At the turn towards the Arlington Memorial Bridge, volunteers warned to watch for footing again.
On the bridge, I watched the faster runners returning from Arlington. In particular, I looked to see if there were any older-looking female Double Blossom runners I was competing against, but it was a while before I saw anyone.
I was cautious about rounding the circle, but coming off of it, I felt good and increased my pace slightly. Finding a good place to run was a bit harder on the bridge.
On the downhill heading towards the Kennedy Center, I felt the wind in my face and decided to tuck behind a taller runner for a bit. But, when he seemed too slow down, I decided to go around him.
Under the Kennedy Center, I once again looked for Double Blossom runners and any females who looked my age. Seeing none, I thought I had a good chance of finishing well in that competition. I was intent on following the tangents and hugged the inside curb.
After the turnaround, I decided to increase my pace a bit more. I went to the left of the road, where fewer people were running.
Entering the Tidal Basin via the west end of Ohio Drive, I felt a bit of a letdown and wanted water. But the station was on the other side of the road.
Splits: 8:32, 8:01, 7:46, 8:14, 7:42.
Miles 5-10 (Tidal Basin, East Potomac Park, National Mall)
At the turnaround, I ran and grabbed some Gatorade. It was weak, and I downed it so quickly that I choked on some.
I tried to settle down and soak in the views on Independence Avenue. As we entered the area around the finish, it was quiet until we reached the District Running Collective cheer zone, which had decorated the street and played music.
The course rounded the Jefferson Memorial, and I felt a little tired but wasn’t too concerned. I should be tired after running a 5K the day before!
I ran past the water fountain as we entered East Potomac Park (aka “Hains Point”). With only a few miles to go, I knew my body didn’t need it.
I became distracted by a runner breathing heavily behind me. I tried running next to other runners, hoping they might block him, but he stayed there. Grrr!
At the end of Hains Point was a table with people giving out beer! I saw a few runners go over for the refreshment. Finally, I slowed down so the hard breather could run past me.
In the later stage of Hains Point, I felt faint. I remember feeling the same way at this point last year. I eased off my pace ever so slightly because I knew the worst part of the course was ahead…
Back on the National Mall, I ran the final steep uphill next to the Bureau of Engraving & Printing. I ran it until just short of the crest. Then, I ran as hard as possible towards the finish line, hoping for a good Double Blossom finish.
Splits: 7:49, 7:47, 7:47, 7:56, 7:50.
Post-race
Result
| Time: 1:19:25 | Pace: 7:57 | Log Details |
I was the 3,087 out of 17,559 (top 18%), 901st woman out of 10,008 (top 9%), and 21st in my age group out of 519 (top 4%). I beat my time from last year by 69 seconds!
My time for the Double Blossom was 1:42:20, and I was second in my age group – I missed winning it by four seconds!
On the elite side, Wesley Kiptoo barely held off Raymond Magut in 45:54 (4:36 pace). On the female side, Sarah Chelangat finished in 51:14 (5:08 pace.)
Finish
I crossed the finish line and went to the National Mall area. The line for packet pick-up was very long! I jogged back to my car. I changed into warm clothes and then went to the nearby Starbucks for coffee and snacks. My boyfriend finished about 20 minutes later, and we drove home.
Epilogue
The race is still a must-run in Washington, D.C. – this was my 11th! But it’s beginning to feel like the race directors are taking runners for granted. They know the race is popular—the course is fast, and it’s a perfect tune-up for sprint marathons—so runners will tolerate long lines.
But I had a great race, considering I ran it on tired legs after running a 5K the day before. Referencing the McMillan Calculator, I could run something like sub-3:43 (8:31 pace) at the 2024 Ottawa Marathon in May.
Next Race
2024 George Washington Parkway Classic on Sunday, April 28th. It’ll be my first time running this renowned Washington, D.C. area event.