The Bishop's Events Veterans Day 5k & 10k took place on Sunday, November 12, 2017. This race benefited Team Red, White & Blue and was held along the Rappahannock River in Fredericksburg, VA, with the start and finish at Old Mill Park. This location is a great place for a race because there is plenty

Pre-Race

Packet pick-up is super easy at Bishop's Events races. An hour before the race starts, you can grab your bib, shirt, and other goodies. The parking lot is right there, so it is easy to throw your shirt in your car without wasting any time. Another good thing about the race being at Old Mill Park is that there are indoor bathrooms! Hooray!

The Course

Starting at Old Mill Park, the course takes you through the parking lot, to the bike path one direction before turning around. You then reach the Rappahannock River and follow this until the 5k turn-around. The 10k course continues along on the bike path through a wooded area, before their turn-around.

The river was excited today because someone had place some jack-o-laterns on the rocks in the middle of the river!

How Did I Do?

I signed up for and planned to run the 10k distance. I started with the 10k runners, but quickly knew that I would need to drop down to the 5k. Luckily this was easy to do as the 5k and 10k are the same course, with the 10k just being extended before you turn around. The weather forecast called for low 30s, so I dressed appropriately (or so I thought). I totally OVERDRESSED, and not in a way that I could strip down mid-race. As this was the first cold race of the season (and I didn't run last winter), I forgot the best way to dress. Lesson learned.

Another problem I was having was that my mind was just not focused to be running. I guess this happens sometimes. Regardless, I finished the race in 42:23. Definitely not my best time, but stuff happens. At least I still got out and ran!

The Prince William Half Marathon was held on October 1, 2017 in Bristow, VA. The race was close to where I live, and I knew a lot of people who were running it. My dad and I signed up for the race earlier in the year, with full intention of training. However, life got in the way. I was only slightly trained (with a progression of three race weekends leading up to the race: Memorial 5k, Glowstick 10k, and the Clarendon Day Run Double), but we decided to run the race anyway.

Packet Pick-Up

Packet pick-up took place two days before the race at the Freedom Center in Manassas. This is on my way home from work, so it was easy to get to. I was in and out  in just a few minutes. There wasn't much to look at, except for a few race items such as clothes and pint glasses. I was lucky to get there on the first day so I could exchange my race shirt size (since the shirts ran extra, extra small)!

Pre-Race

The Prince William Half started and ended at Jiffy Lube Live. There was plenty of parking in the huge parking lot, but traffic to get in the lot was very long. We pretty much made it just in time to put on our shoes, go to the bathroom, and make it to the corral for a pre-race photo before the race began. It was good that we didn't have much extra time because it was pretty chilly before the sun came up!

The Course

The course was on all paved roads. It took you from Jiffy Lube Live over an overpass and onto the roads that go through the Manassas Battlefield. While running, we passed the Stonewall Memory Gardens, a few monuments, and lots of hay bales. The course was a bit hilly at times, but only in shorter spurts. There were a few out-and-backs so we always saw other runners and didn't feel so much as back-of-the-pack that we were.

There was a high school marching band and cheerleaders cheering us on during the first and last mile, which was very helpful for that last stretch of road.

Post-Race

After the race, we grabbed our water and banana and headed to see what food was being offered. We received a drink ticket and a food ticket. Unfortunately, both Moes and Tropical Smoothie were considered food. I opted for the smoothie, and luckily they agreed to make me one without yogurt.

We did not stay for the music as we were tired and wanted to leave. All-in-all, the Prince William Half is a well put-together race, and I would run it again if I had someone to run with.

For more info, check out: http://adventuresbykatie.com/prince-william-half-marathon/

Bishop's Event's Burke Lake 5k & 10k took place on October 14, 2017 in Fairfax Station, VA! The event was in partnership with the American Cancer Society and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer for Breast Cancer Awareness month and took place through the trails of Burke Lake Park.

Before the Race

Bib pick-up took place starting an hour before the event. It was easy and fast. There was plenty of parking in the park's parking lot. There was also indoor bathrooms adjacent to the parking lot. The 10k race began at 7:45 a.m., and the 5k began at 8:00 a.m.

The Course

The course takes you down over a few gently rolling street "hills" before entering a trail around the lake. The ground was packed dirt, with some rocks and tree roots. The path was pretty clear, but it you still needed to pay attention to where you were running. The course was out-and-back, with the 10k continuing further around the lake. There were a few minor inclines, but nothing really too bad at all.

It was pretty because the leaves are just starting to change and there were some leaves on the ground. Even though it was a bit warm and humid, the scenery made up for any discomfort.

SWAG

Runners received a Finisher’s Medal, a pink Technical (Dri-fit) Event Shirt, and a Chip-Timed event. There was also water and Gatorade on the course, and a few snacks at the end. Final winners were awarded additional prizes.

 
For more info on how I did, visit: http://adventuresbykatie.com/burke-lake-5k-10k/

Disclaimer: I received entry into the Clarendon Day Run to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro, and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

Clarendon Day Run
The Clarendon Day Run took place in Arlington, VA and included two different distances: a 5k and a 10k. There was also a Double if you were feeling brave enough to attempt both distances. The Start Line was in Clarendon, about two blocks from the metro. The course took you down hill through the city streets and onto the highway, before turning around and ending in Rosslyn. Those who were attempting the Double had to make their way a mile and a half uphill to get back to the start line for the second race.

Bib Pick-Up

Bib pick-up was available at the Pacers Store the month leading up to the race. They also offered race day pick-up before the start of the race. I chose this option since the store isn't too close to my home or work. The 5k race didn't begin until 8am, but I had gotten to the race site super early. I was worried about parking (though, there was no reason to worry - there was plenty of street parking). My wait time was super quick because I was probably the first person to pick-up my bib that morning!

The Run

I had signed up for the Double Run with John from Run. Geek. Run (disney). You can read his review of the race HERE! I was not particularly trained up for the race distance as much as I wanted, but we both wanted to try running both races. We decided to use the intervals 30:30, but also running the downhills.

How Did I Do?

John and I started the 5k out pretty strong and enjoyed our downhill run. We finished the 5k in 40:19, which is my average 5k time these days. As we ran through  the finish, we grabbed a water, banana, and potato chips and quickly turned around for our 1.5 mile uphill climb. This took us a little longer than we anticipated, and we saw the 10k starting before we were back at the start line. We hustled and crossed the start line and began the 10k race. 

The downhill section of the 10k was just fine, but when we got to the open highway section, it started to get HOT! There was not a lot of shade and our energy was really dropping. We were at the end of the pack, but still trucking along, despite the heat and my foot really starting to hurt.

About a half a mile from the finish line, we were approached by the pick-up vehicle and we were forced to board. They needed to open up the highway to traffic, and we were not allowed to continue running. They dropped us off back on Arlington roads and we were allowed to continue to the finish line. Our final 10k time  was 1:32:19, and our Double Time was 2:12:38.

While it wasn't our best race, we both felt good that we put in the miles. The 1.5 uphill walk back to our car was slow, long, and painful (I walked barefoot because my foot was hurting so bad). In the end, we had run/walked/climbed about 12.5 miles.

 The SWAG

The race shirt is a bright orange - yay! If you also ran the Double, you got an extra medal. There were drink tickets on our bib, but I was way too exhausted to go to the restaurants to claim them.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the Clarendon Day Run was a fun, downhill race. I liked the additional challenge of being able run the Double, I just wish there were a FEW more minutes in between the races!

Disclaimer: I received entry into the Clarendon Day Run to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro, and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

Clarendon Day Run
The Clarendon Day Run took place in Arlington, VA and included two different distances: a 5k and a 10k. There was also a Double if you were feeling brave enough to attempt both distances. The Start Line was in Clarendon, about two blocks from the metro. The course took you down hill through the city streets and onto the highway, before turning around and ending in Rosslyn. Those who were attempting the Double had to make their way a mile and a half uphill to get back to the start line for the second race.

Bib Pick-Up

Bib pick-up was available at the Pacers Store the month leading up to the race. They also offered race day pick-up before the start of the race. I chose this option since the store isn't too close to my home or work. The 5k race didn't begin until 8am, but I had gotten to the race site super early. I was worried about parking (though, there was no reason to worry - there was plenty of street parking). My wait time was super quick because I was probably the first person to pick-up my bib that morning!

The Run

I had signed up for the Double Run with John from Run. Geek. Run (disney). You can read his review of the race HERE! I was not particularly trained up for the race distance as much as I wanted, but we both wanted to try running both races. We decided to use the intervals 30:30, but also running the downhills.

How Did I Do?

John and I started the 5k out pretty strong and enjoyed our downhill run. We finished the 5k in 40:19, which is my average 5k time these days. As we ran through  the finish, we grabbed a water, banana, and potato chips and quickly turned around for our 1.5 mile uphill climb. This took us a little longer than we anticipated, and we saw the 10k starting before we were back at the start line. We hustled and crossed the start line and began the 10k race. 

The downhill section of the 10k was just fine, but when we got to the open highway section, it started to get HOT! There was not a lot of shade and our energy was really dropping. We were at the end of the pack, but still trucking along, despite the heat and my foot really starting to hurt.

About a half a mile from the finish line, we were approached by the pick-up vehicle and we were forced to board. They needed to open up the highway to traffic, and we were not allowed to continue running. They dropped us off back on Arlington roads and we were allowed to continue to the finish line. Our final 10k time  was 1:32:19, and our Double Time was 2:12:38.

While it wasn't our best race, we both felt good that we put in the miles. The 1.5 uphill walk back to our car was slow, long, and painful (I walked barefoot because my foot was hurting so bad). In the end, we had run/walked/climbed about 12.5 miles.

 The SWAG

The race shirt is a bright orange - yay! If you also ran the Double, you got an extra medal. There were drink tickets on our bib, but I was way too exhausted to go to the restaurants to claim them.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the Clarendon Day Run was a fun, downhill race. I liked the additional challenge of being able run the Double, I just wish there were a FEW more minutes in between the races!