Kim Runs Miles With Smiles

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Cherry Blossom Mantra and Goals

Before a big race I like to reflect on my goals and mantra for the race. My mantras from last year:

Cherry Blossom: Trust Your Training; Run for Stu
Nike Women's Half Marathon: See the Race, Be the Race
Army Ten-Miler: Run With Gratitude
Philly Half: Embrace the Journey

For this year's Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run, my mantra is: Inspire and Empower

The "Motivate Wrap Bracelet" I got for myself as a coach

My goals for this race are not really about me. I am under-trained for the race, having chosen to prioritize coaching over training. And I'm okay with that, because this race is about the people I've trained through Potomac River Running and the people I've trained with through Reston Runners BFFs.

I hope that I have already achieved my goal of inspiring and empowering those people. I hope that I have helped prepare them to have their best race and achieve their goals. I know I have already achieved my goal of being inspired and empowered BY them.

And perhaps a little bit of that inspiration and empowerment will help me to meet my modest race goals:

A Goal: finish faster than 1:58:37 (2014 Army Ten-Miler time)
B Goal: finish faster than 1:59:45 (2014 Cherry Blossom time)
C Goal: finish with a smile on my face after thoroughly enjoying the scenic course

I wish you an inspired and empowered day!

Saturday, April 4, 2015

Course Guide: Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run (2015)

I am so excited for the Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run next Sunday! Here is my mile-by-mile course guide to help you visualize and plan your race!

- Do you prefer a picture course guide? Check out the Photo Run
- Looking for more great tips for the expo & race? Check out Social Runner Lauren's Tips and Tricks

Mile 0

You are here: Starting corrals
Photographer: In 2014, there was a photographer on the left as you prepared to start (see tips for good Cherry Blossom photos here)
Water: To the right of the starting corrals (assuming you are facing forward)
Tips: Head to your corral early to get to the front where congestion is less of an issue

Mile 1

You are here: Independence Avenue
Tips: Don't go out too fast. Expect congestion. You might see the early runners coming toward you on the other side of Independence, now in their fifth mile.

Mile 2

You are here: Memorial Bridge
Tips: In the middle of the bridge you can high-five runners on the opposite side for motivation

Mile 3

You are here: Passing the Lincoln Memorial and running along the Kennedy Center
Photographer: By the Kennedy Center, but in 2014 the lighting was poor from the Kennedy Center overhang, so these photos didn't turn out well. Don't sweat this photo opp - it isn't the money shot you are after!
Water: About 1/3 into the mile - watch for slippery cups!

Mile 4

You are here: Second half of the Kennedy Center out & back, Ohio Drive out & back
Water: Towards the end of the mile

Mile 5

You are here: Independence Avenue
Photographer: At the end of the mile; should have a beautiful cherry blossom backdrop.
Tips: Enjoy the view - Washington Monument on your left, Tidal Basin & Jefferson Memorial on your right
Rerouted: in 2015 a crime scene closed part of the course and we turned off Independence early, missing the Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial, and east side of the Tidal Basin. We ran along the west side of the Tidal Basin instead. Mile 5 was effectively reduced to a half mile. (See map below)

Mile 6

You are here: Rounding the Tidal Basin, entering East Potomac Park
Photographer: My most scenic photos from last year's race are along this stretch, with the Washington Monument and Cherry Blossoms in the background. Watch for the photographer!
Entertainment: Mr. Incredible, The Marathon Bike Guy at the end of the mile with music to get you pumped for the trip around Hains Point
Rerouted: After running along the west side of the Tidal Basin, we re-joined the planned course at the entrance to East Potomac Park.

Mile 7

You are here: East Potomac Park, heading towards Hains Point
Photographer: three-quarters of the way into the mile, a very scenic spot! Smile!
Water: At the start of the mile
Tips: This is a long stretch without many spectators and with the potential for wind. Prepare yourself mentally for this section, which lasts for 3 miles. Enjoy the Cherry Blossoms if they are out - they will be beautiful here!

Mile 8

You are here: Rounding the tip of Hains Point
Water: Just before you round the tip of Hains Point
Entertainment: Trippy Rob and DJ Kay at the beginning of the mile with a rocking playlist
Tips: There is usually a group handing out beer and oreos at the tip of Hains Point.

Mile 9

You are here: East Potomac Park, heading away from Hains Point
Water: About 3/4 of the way into the mile
Entertainment: Megawatt at the beginning of the mile with motivating music
Tips: This is the last of the "Hains Point" miles - you can do it!

Mile 10

You are here: Rounding the Tidal Basin and running up 15th Street to the finish
Photographer: Lots of them along 15th Street!
Entertainment: Batala, an all-women percussion band at the beginning of the mile with a driving beat
Tips: There is a small hill towards the end of the race - anticipate it and conquer it! There should be 1200m, 800m, 400m signs at the very end of the race to help you know when to turn on your final kick!

Finish Line

You are here: You did it! The Finish Line!
Photographer: At the finish line (don't look down at your watch and miss your big moment) and after the finish line (line up for your official finisher photos). Get those finisher photos taken - you'll be glad you did!
Water: Off to the left after you get out of the immediate finisher area
Tips: The runners' village is off to the left. Plan a meeting spot ahead of time, last year we had trouble getting texts from each other.

Rerouted: In 2015, we followed the red line instead of
continuing east on Independence and around the
east side of the Tidal Basin

2015 Course Map as originally planned.
Water & Entertainment locations (source)

2015 Course Map - Photographer locations (source)

Staging Area (source)

Thursday, April 2, 2015

Doug Cassaro's CUCB Photo Run

Doug Cassaro was one of the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10-Mile Run Social Runners in 2014. Four days before the 2014 race, he posted a "Photo Run" to twitter. I thought it was a great way to visualize the course, and it made me even more excited about the race. Doug graciously agreed to let me share his photo run tweets with you for your race visualization. Thank you Doug!

(do you prefer a course guide with more description? look here)