2024 Cherry Blossom 5K
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 weekend. I also did a 7-mile threshold-pace (8:44 pace) run on Tuesday and a 13-mile medium-long run on Thursday.
Cost
The cost for the Double Blossom was $139.40.
Goals
Achievable
Sub-23:30 (7:32 pace). I felt like I was in as good a condition as last year.
Stretch
Sub-22:30 (7:30 pace). But maybe I’m fitter than I was last year.
Personal Records
Grandmaster
- PR and Most Recent 5K: 23:21 (7:30 pace), 2023 Cherry Blossom 5K
Master
- 5K PR: 20:43 (6:39 pace), 2013 Crystal City Twilighter 5K Fridays.
Course
The course is relatively straightforward. It starts at Freedom Plaza and heads eastbound on Pennsylvania Avenue. The course goes south on 3rd Street, crossing the National Mall. There is an out-and-back on Independence Avenue before circling the Department of Human Services Building. Then, it’s up 7th Street and a left back onto Pennsylvania Avenue, finishing at Freedom Plaza.
There is an aid station after the 1.5 mile mark.
Crowd support is mainly at the start/finish area.
Strategy
My usual strategy for a 5K is just to run full out the entire time. But, I would try to hold back a little because I was doing the Double Blossom.
Playlist
I compiled 27 minutes of music for the race.
Pre-race
Packet Pick-up
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 immediately.
Race Day
I woke up at 6:30 a.m., which made for close to 8 hours of sleep! I made coffee and walked the dog.
For clothing, I decided to wear a long-sleeve Saucony top and Lululemon capris for the race. I also donned a visor, light gloves for additional gear, and Nike Air ZoomX Vaporfly Next% on my feet.
The race started at 9:20 a.m., so I left my house at 8:10 a.m. I parked by my office on Capitol Hill at 8:25 a.m. It was still too early to go for the start, so I sat in the car, staying warm for a while.
At 8:40 a.m., I started my warm-up towards Freedom Plaza. I arrived with a little over 15 minutes until the race started.
I realized I hadn’t had breakfast.
As I waited for the race to start, I looked up my time from the year before – 23:21 (7:30 pace) – and thought that would be an excellent time to shoot for.
There weren’t a lot of runners near the start line, so even though the signs said the area was for 6:00-mile runners, I decided it was a good spot.
The announcer said a few things, the National Anthem sung, and then we were off!
Weather
The temperature was about 46 degrees at the start, but conditions were windy. Winds were 14-20 miles per hour, with gusts in the 30-35 mph range.
The Race
Miles 0-3.12
(Pennsylvania Avenue, Independence Avenue)
The start was chaotic, and runners streamed past me on Pennsylvania Avenue. After a few minutes, I didn’t see the 7:30 pacer go by, so I figured I was running well.
The course turned right onto 3rd Street NW. I admired the view of the U.S. Capitol Building to the left as I clicked the lap button on my Garmin. It showed 7:33, which was just about perfect.
Next, the course turned right onto Independence Avenue. Despite feeling the course went slightly uphill, I sped up to pass a few runners. At 7th Street, we turned back and passed the water stop on the course.
The course wound around the Department of Human Services Building before heading back north. The wind was strong, and I tried to draft off other runners.
Heading to the finish, I tried to keep an even pace. I was happy with the race and didn’t want to push myself too hard over a few seconds.
Splits: 7:33, 14:38, 0:43 (by Garmin).
Post-race
Result
| Time: 22:55 | Pace: 7:20 | Log Details |
I was the 356th out of 6,961 (top 6%), 76th woman out of 4,526 (top 2%), and 2nd in my age group out of 293 (top 1%).
Last year, I ran the race in 23:32 (7:31 pace) so I was thrilled with the faster time!
Jonathan Ladson won the race in 16:09 (5:01 pace). Casey Greenwalt was the top female finisher in 18:14 (5:52 pace).
Finish
I crossed the finish line, but volunteers only handed out water because the medals were an extra fee.
Near Freedom Plaza, there were tables with water and bananas. Some entertainment was nearby, but I didn’t feel like hanging around. I walked a few blocks before starting my cool-down run back to my car.
On the way home, 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.
Epilogue
Overall, this is a fun race and has the potential to be as popular as the main event—the course is fast, and the later start is sure to win over fans.
And I had a great race – beating my time from last year by 26 seconds! I thought I had a good training cycle, so seeing it in a race time was fantastic. But there’s no rest for the weary – I’m racing again tomorrow as part of the Double Blossom!
Next Race
2024 Cherry Blossom 10 Miler on Sunday, April 7th – the Double Blossom!