Recap

I signed up for the Navy AirForce Half Marathon at the end of July when I realized I would need to get my butt in gear for the Chicago Marathon after returning from traveling this summer and two weeks in Peru with hiking, but no running. Jeremy and I set a goal to run between a 7:30-8:00 pace for the half, since our goal for Chicago is to enjoy it and run at a comfortable 8:00 pace.

We arrived at the start in our overpriced Uber around 6:45 and the National Mall was buzzing! Thankfully the race organizers brought in plenty of Port-o-Johns. The race kicked off at 7:08 and we were in the first wave. For the first few miles on a flat course around Hains Point and East Potomac Park we just held back and kept a steady pace, weaving in an out as the groups slowly thinned out. There wasn’t really much to look at so we joked back and forth. Around mile 4 we had a mouth breathing drafter come upon us. I suppose if I had worn head phones I wouldn’t have noticed the mouth breather, but I always notice drafters. Those people who hang onto your shoulder and stay right behind you but will not move past, to the side, or back down. They drive me crazy! Anyhow, I had to get away so around mile six I picked it up a little to shake her.

I took my Gu gel at mile 7 with the water station. Well, half of it. When I went to get a cup of water to wash the first half down, I ended up with something that was definitely not water. The volunteer handed us some sort of carb version of the electrolyte water brand they had on the course. It looked cloudy and milky and tasted like Pepto Bismol! Yuckkkk. So I wasn’t unable to get the rest of my gel down until two miles later where I got real water.

But, the half gel did give me a boost and as we started the long continuous gradual uphill stretch into Rock Creek Park I was feeling great! We held on to the 7:30 pace with ease. At this point we started seeing the Elites coming back from the turnaround so it also gave something to distract us in the otherwise serene setting of greenery and trees lining the road.

Still feeling strong at the 9 mile mark just past the turnaround and the best water point on the course, I thought I pushed the pace a tad but later realized I actually slowed down! Either way, at this point you start seeing fans again and its just motivating to get back into DC and out of the park. We ran past Kennedy Center, where an awesome group of supporters wrote some chalk affirmations on the road, and came to the slight incline up to Memorial Bridge. The incline erased any hint of a grin off my face but we pushed through and gave nice big fake smiles for the photographer waiting on the bridge 😉

We grabbed swig of water right at mile 12 and made the turn for the final stretch back to the Washington Monument. My hip was getting tight, and my left hamstring had tightened up a few miles prior, but I am anatomically challenged and things always hurt. Its hard not to try to pick it up at the end of a race and we just took off. At one point I saw a sub-7:00 on my GPS watch, for just a moment! We leaned into the final incline and right before the left turn to the finish line the sun peeked out from behind the clouds. I felt that warmth and was SO happy that my race was about to be over! We dodged 5-miler finishers and a Gator and came across the line in 1:38:15 for a dead-on 7:30 average pace! And negative splits for the last two miles, might be my first time doing that! Job well done and very happy with that as a training run in 92% humidity.

Mile Splits

Review

Expo – The Expo was at Nationals Park (the MLB Baseball team stadium). Way too much space for a tiny little expo. They do provide garage parking and its right off the Metro, so very easy to get to. You claim your bib then walk through to the t-shirt pickup where there are a few giveaways. It is nothing special but this isn’t NYC Marathon or anything. The best part about the expo – easy t-shirt exchange station! Oh and and views into the baseball stadium while its empty are kind of cool.

Start – The start line is right next to the Washington Monument and so easy to get to. You could metro to Smithsonian or, if you will pay the jacked up Uber prices, they can drop you off less than a block from the starting line. The race begins with the National Anthem and an address from the Commander of the Joint Navy/Airforce base that puts this whole thing together. Then the wheelchair racers and wounded Warriors start followed by Wave 1 of the half-marathon. Wave 2 goes a few minutes later. East peasy.

Course/WaterPoints – I will not lie, this course is fairly boring. You are in beautiful Washington, DC but the first five miles take you around a flat boring island in the middle of the Potomac. The most you will see are some golfers. During this time you need either a friend to talk to or music to carry you through, unless you are really mentally strong and focused…then good for you. After that you get a little bit with West Potomac Park and therefore Jefferson and Lincoln but then its down under the Kennedy Center and on to four miles of boredom again. Two miles up…literally gradually up…into Rock Creek Park where you hit a turn-around point. Then two miles back down before much humanity. The only plus is the opportunity to see other runners on the out and back and cheer them on or slap a high five! Once you get to the final two miles it finally gets interesting again with the Potomac, Memorial Bridge, Lincoln, and Washington coming into view as you finish. There are six water points on the course and they offer water or U-Can (this new electrolyte water mix that tastes like Gatorade Propel and is sugar free).

Swag – At the expo you get a long sleeve cotton t-shirt (White this year, ewwww), bag of stuff that has a nice SAIC buff, and coupon for discounted Lyft rides. And of course at teh end… a really nice finisher’s medal. I do like the spot on the bib to write-in people you are running to remember. Note: I don’t have any photos of me running during the race because they are not free and you have to pay $22 for an individual download or $40 for the digital pack, its all or nothing. Thanks Finisher Pix :-/

Post-Race – They had a photographer taking FREE photos that are posted on the event Facebook page. That’s where I got my sweet cover photo. You get a pre-packaged box of snacks and bottled water, no hassle but also not fresh. Sometimes that bagel or watermelon are just so nice. BUT the best part about racing in DC on a Sunday is going to brunch after!! You are in the nation’s capitol so take your pick. I personally rewarded myself with a Three Stars Peppercorn Saison and Chicken and Waffles 🙂

Overall its a well-organized race in DC with a somewhat boring/challenging course but a beautiful medal and supports a great organization! Maybe next year I’ll just do the 5 Miler!

-Shaina