Army Ten Miler
| October 22, 2012 | Posted by Madeline @ Food, Fitness, and Family under Race Recap, Running |
Hi friends! We are almost home from an awesome weekend in DC for the Army Ten Miler! We stopped at Fort Bragg last night to stay with one of our best friends who incidentally is about to PCS to Stewart … WOO! Our weekend was full of fun times with our Army family, meeting up with some blends, and running an awesome race. Today I am just going to focus on the Army Ten Miler though.
Saturday afternoon Chris, Emmie, and I hopped on the metro from south DC to head to the Armory to pick up our packets. I have to say packet pick-up was seamless and much faster than I anticipated. When entering the armory there was a separate entrance for DOD card holders to bypass security lines. Pick-up was by bib-number and Chris and I had ours and our t-shirts within 5 minutes. We didn’t hang long at the expo because we had important things to do like meet some blends 
Although we didn’t hang out we did notice that there was a wide selection of vendors and tons of military booths as well.
On our way out of the expo we ran into Lani who we were heading to meet. We all took the metro to Eastern Market to meet-up with Anne, Lisa, and Katie! I was SO flipping excited to meet these awesome women. Lisa, Katie, and I also got our kiddos together. Seriously, too much blog baby cuteness in one spot!
One of my favorite parts about blogging is the community. Getting to meet some of my favorite blends is icing on the cake. These women are JUST like how they are on their blog which made me feel like I have known them forever. We had a blast chatting about Anne’s wedding, the kiddos, and the upcoming race since Lani, Anne, Katie, and I were all running. I am already thinking about when I can come back to DC so we can hang out again
Sunday was race day. Chris and I got up at 5:30AM to leave by 6:15AM. We arrived at the Springfield metro station to hop on the blue line at 6:45AM and arrived at the Pentagon no later than 7:30AM. Anne talked to the race people on Saturday and they said cell phones and cameras were subject to confiscation and Chris convinced me to follow the rules. Low and behold EVERYONE had their phones. Oh well … I’ll know better next time We got in the lines for the potties and had no problem getting in. The closer to race time though the lines got out of control.
One of the most memorable moments for me of the entire race happened before it even started. All of a sudden the notes of the National Anthem came one and silence overcame all 30,000 people. Seeing Soldiers standing at attending in their running clothes, retired military saluting, and families in reverence for our flag in nation gave me chills. I don’t think there are many races that this would happen.
As we were making our way to the start line I turned around and saw that Katie was right behind me! It was great running into her before we got going. Before I knew it we were starting. Chris and I were treating this as a training run for the Savannah Rock-N-Roll. We planned on taking it nice and easy, stay together, and just soak up what promised to be an incredible experience. It didn’t disappoint. It’s not every day you get to run by so many historical sites.
As far as the course goes I honestly have no complaints. What you DCers might consider flat is rather hilly for Chris and I coming from literally FLAT Savannah. Even with the hills and inclines I felt strong and confident. Chris and I kept a running dialogue most of the race when we weren’t dodging other runners. I never once was out of breath and I felt great. We walked thru the 3 water stations and kept our pace steady. My unofficial Garmin time:
Official time was 1:38:48 for an average of 9:45/mile. At the end of the race I knew I could have run another 3.1 and maintained the same pace. This is increasing my excitement levels for a hopeful PR in 2 weeks 
Overall this was one of the most memorable races and events I have been a part of. There was something incredibly special about running this particular race with my Soldier. I thought it was well organized, executed, and awesome. I highly recommend doing it at some point if you can.
Have you ever run the Army Ten Miler? Is there a particular race that is very memorable to you?
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Ive never been BUT BUT BUT given all the shoutouts this weekend…ID LOVE TO GO NEXT YEAR.
MizFit recently posted..SOCIAL MEDIA EXHAUSTION.
Congrats! I haven’t done a ten miler but I’d love to try one day!
Erica @ EricaDHouse.com recently posted..Out with the old
This race has been on my bucket list for so long! I’ll get up there one day!
congrats on the ease of the race – that’s always the best feeling!
Lindsay’s List recently posted..i don’t do perfection
glad you guys had such an awesome weekend. sounds like such a special race! and so jealous of the giant baby meetup!
Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean recently posted..Bean Bytes #11
Congratulations!!! You totally rocked it! And I have no doubt that you are going to do the same in 2 weeks!
Your family is so amazingly gorgeous =)
Michele @ Nycrunningmama recently posted..Race Recap / Review: Runner’s World Half Marathon & Festival Weekend 10k
Congrats on an awesome race!!! I’ve never done a 10 miler race…just 5K’s, 10K’s, half marathons, and full marathon. I haven’t even seen any 10 mile races near me but would love to run one one day!
Mindy @Road Runner Girl recently posted..The Weekly Chase…Back at It!!!
I just love the mom/baby pic!! What a super cool op!!! Have a great Monday!! Spa <3
Loved meeting you and seeing you so many times during the race!!
Katie Heddleston recently posted..Swim Class + Army Ten Miler Expo + Blogger Meetup
Wow! Congrats on the great race! You are going to crush your PR!
It’s so great you’re getting to meet all those awesome ladies! Looks like a blast!
katie recently posted..Special K – The Protein Effect
Congrats on a great race! I can’t wait to hear how your half goes. I am jealous of the blog baby meet-up- sounds like it was so much fun and I love seeing all those cuties in one photo!
Brittany (Healthy Slice of Life) recently posted..The Weekends I Once Feared
CONGRATS on a great race! I would love to do this race one day and convince TJ he should do it with me. LOL!
Sabrina @Work It Ms Jackson recently posted..A Perfect Fall Weekend (Picture Heavy)
Great job on your ten miler! I love that distance… just ran a ten mile race last weekend, and somehow it feels so much shorter than a half.
How fun that you got to meet so many lovely blogging ladies!
Laura recently posted..Yoga for Runners: Earth Yoga Clothing Giveaway
I ALMOST registered for this, but chose The Color Run instead–so I was in DC for the weekend too! It sounded amazing and will definitely be on my list for next year!
Congrats on a great race! I loved the atmosphere of the race more than anything else – nothing like running along side our nation’s hero’s!
Mary @ Have the World recently posted..Race Recap – Army 10 Miler
Great job!!
Chantal recently posted..First Pumpkin Patch Trip
DC races surely live up to the hype. How can they not with all of the historical landmarks?
I really wanted to do this race this year but it sold out before I had the chance to jump on board. Maybe next year!!
charlotte recently posted..Austin Marathon Training Week 2
I think I’d love to run a 10 miler..especially before a half. That would be such a good practice run for it!! Sounds like an awesome experience and yay for meeting up with other bloggers!!
char @ char eats greens recently posted..if the baby is…
Congrats!!!! I probably would have lost it as well when they played the National Anthem, gets me every time.
Jen@HealthyFoodandFamily recently posted..Salad Success
[...] by WP Greet Box WordPress PluginWe are BACK after a whirlwind weekend in Washington DC for the Army Ten Miler. I am still coming off the runner’s high I got from the race and experience and hopefully [...]
Great job, guys! I have met Anne before she’s so nice. And ahh Katie and baby X! So cute! Def would’ve loved to be a part of this meetup. My parents used to go to DC for the weekend together and run this race every year! This year they were too busy unfortunately
Caitlin recently posted..Tuesday Treasures: Foodie Edition
Sounds like an amazing time! Cute mamas and babies photo!
Holly @ Mama Bear Blogs recently posted..The Babysitter Experiment
[...] top and feel fine. At this point I have put it through the wringer having worn it for yoga, the Army Ten Miler, and the Rock-N-Roll Savannah Half. It didn’t let me down [...]