March 13th brought the DC Road Runners Fort Hunt 10k in Alexandria, VA. I ran this race last year when it was freezing, cold, and icy. This year was slightly chilly at the beginning, but it quickly warmed up and I was comfortable in a SparkleSkirt and runDisney short sleeved shirt.

This race was part of the Snowball Series from DC Road Runners and was a low-key race (which basically means no shirt or medal). This is ok though, because if you are a member, the race is free (and, if not, it's only $5)! Bib pickup was super easy before the race, and there were inside restrooms right by the start/finish line. There was also plenty of parking.

The course is a 5 lap loop around the park. It takes place on pavement and there are only a few inclines. While running in circles is not particularly exciting, it is easy to pace yourself because you now where you are, and you get to hit the water stop multiple times.

At the end of the race there was bagels and bananas.

For more info about this race and my experience getting a PR, check out: http://wp.me/p4ROSP-1fr

It's summer time, which means that DC Road Runners can have races mid-week in the evening. This works for me because I don't have to get up early on the weekend, and it is a good outlet to get out and run when I would generally be too lazy to.

Bluemont 5k
I headed up to Bluemont Park in Arlington. (I last ran this course last year for the Have a Heart for Hoffman-Boston race). It is an out and back on the bike path and is pretty flat.

Even though I had hydrated all day, it was pretty humid out and I could feel the effects of a bit of dehydration. The first half of the race was running into the sun, so it was a bit more challenging with the heat on your face and the sun in your eyes. Once we turned around, though, I felt a little cooler, but then I was tired.

During the last little bit of the race I started to feel a little nauseous, but kept going on and finished as best as I could.

I crossed the finish line at 36:23, with a pace of 11:43. I grabbed a banana and some water and hobbled, drenched with sweat, to my car. Hot and sweaty 5k race was finished!

I was up nice and early this 4th of July for the DC Road Runners Age Handicapped 4 Miler. I grabbed my niece, Ellie, and drove to Carderock Park, the site of many other races that I have done.

Ellie was not very pleased, especially since I made her dress festively...

This race had no bibs because it was age handicapped, meaning that different ages started at different times and would be ranked on placement of finishing, not time. Ellie started 8 minutes into the race, while I started 11 minutes in.

About 1/4 mile into our run, it started to rain. And by rain, I mean, downpour. Like hard. Ellie was displeased (again) but she kept moving forward (good for her!).

It rained (poured) the rest of the race. Luckily, it was not a miserable rain. It was not cold or terribly bothersome, and I didn't mind it that much. At least the view was very pretty (but I didn't get any pictures because I didn't want my phone to get more wet than it already was!).

We finished in a little over an hour, which wasn't too terrible for Ellie being exhausted and both of us being completely 100% soaked. All-in-all, I had a good run and enjoy any race at Carderock!

One of Bishop's Events many races this summer was a trail run in Prince William Forest Park. There were two distances to choose from: a 5k and a 10k. I signed up for the 10k, even though I knew the course was a bit hilly.

I had previously raced this course during the Joining Hearts for Heidi 10k last year, where I ran it in 1:21:49. It is a pretty challenging course with some big hills that are almost impossible to run because they are so steep!

Regardless, I set out with a positive attitude, and it certainly paid off! I ended up feeling really good while running, especially during the second half of the race. I ended up with negative splits, stayed strong, and even passed a handful of people towards the end! My time for this race was 1:16:44, with a pace of 12:21. I'm pretty impressed because I didn't get that much sleep the night before, AND it has been two months since I've run that far!