Running through the Tulips - April

[Selkie]

That's great news, Oak.

Seven, the race was fun, overall. It was chilly, but luckily, the pavement was pretty much dry by the time we started. As advertised, it was mostly downhill, which was great, and the section before the finish in front of White Flint Mall was steep enough that you could let gravity help you along.

The logistics were a bit of a challenge. We started at the Shady Grove Metro Station and as mentioned, ended at White Flint. Had to schlep up to the metro stop to get back to the car. Sunday schedule for Metro, so we ended up waiting 14 minutes for a train. Everyone was sweaty and getting cold, but Marylanders aren't whiners. The train wasn't crowded, which meant that anyone who wanted a seat got one.

MCRRs put on a good race. The after race food offerings were great and varied (healthy choices to fried food). In addition to the fleece top that was in my race bag, one of the volunteers gave me a gorgeous race t-shirt. They started the race in waves, so there was none of that stop/start/walk stuff and overcrowding at the beginning of the race. Well organized, great support, encouragement from the volunteers all along the route, etc. We ran down two lanes of the northbound part of 355---impressive amount of support from MCPD.

I ran a good race---went at a fast clip for most of it. This was my longest race in years, so I was surprised that I didn't run out of gas. Physically, felt fine.

My results: pace 8:25; finished 26th of 163 in my age group; finished 281 of 1,445 women.

Brian had a great race, too, and enjoyed it. We're planning on doing it again in 2013 (hope to see you there!)