It’s a good thing I committed myself to writing this recap for today, otherwise it would probably be one of those races that I blocked out of my memory. Truth be told it really wasn’t that bad. I think the fact that it was kind of a “blah” race for me (based on how I was feeling) is what would make it less likely to be a memorable one.
First of all, let me start by talking about the course. The race is called “Dreaded Druid Hills”– so one would have to assume that it won’t be easy! Rob ran this race last year, and made me pretty worried about it. I really questioned why he would do it again. He ran it at an 8:15 pace last year, which says a lot considering he could usually run a 10k at around a 7:30-7:40 pace.
My coach and I chatted about my plan for race day after reviewing the elevation course online. The only one I found was from Map My Run, and I am pretty sure if does not accurately portray the course. (see above)
The race took place at Druid Hill Park. I’ve run in that area before, so I thought I knew what I was getting into. We arrived at the race early and had to go pick up our chips, which they gave out on race morning. We ran a little over a mile to warm up and I was feeling good. The temps were in the 60s so I had no complaints there.
When we lined up to start I had no idea how far back to go, and couldn’t really tell where the starting line was. Before we started running, I felt the need to cough. As I have been dealing with this cold, my coughing is less and less frequent but when it starts it last for a few minutes. I felt bad fulling coughing with all the people around me and was trying to not gross everyone out. I also had a tissue in my hand to wipe my nose, which I ran with the whole time.
Once we started I was a little boxed in which slowed me down, but I was still coughing. Rob said he could hear me throughout the first mile. I actually considered just stopping, knowing that it would be a terrible race if I couldn’t breathe the whole time. Then mile 2 came along, which was all downhill, and I was feeling much better. The coughing subsided and my legs loved the downhill. I thought maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad race after all.
On the third mile we hit a curvy trail in the park that I had never seen before. This would be an out-and-back section so I knew that whatever happened on the way out, we would get the opposite on the way back. A volunteer said “get ready for your first challenge!” and I knew I was in trouble.
We started a steep incline- it wasn’t particularly long, but so, so steep. That was when I figured out why this race was known for its hills. It really took everything out of me to climb the first one, and the exertion caused me to start coughing again. We had some relief from a downhill, but then another steep climb started. Just as we were about to reach the top, a man in front of me fell down. Myself and another runner or two stopped to make sure he was ok. It turned out he was blind (he was wearing a shirt that said so), and running alone, so I stuck around while he got up and moving again. He seemed to be ok but I was so nervous for him! There were wet spots and lots of debris on the ground.
After some more ups and downs we hit the turnaround point, and had more hills headed back towards the main area of the park. It was difficult to enjoy the downhill portions because they were so steep. There was also an uphill section that had several switchback ramps that cause you to slow down. Around this part I started taking walking breaks when the coughing would get out of hand. Mile 5 was pretty much all uphill and totally sucked.
The last 1.2 miles weren’t too bad, but I already knew the race hadn’t gone well, so I just wanted to finish. I got a cramp which made that last mile feel like it lasted forever.
My watch read 50:22, but my official chip time was 50:33. I must have accidentally stopped my watch at some point or maybe started it late, because the distance also read 6.15 miles. Rob had finished a few minutes ahead of me in 48:11 (7:46 pace), which was considerably better than last year. Maybe my coaching is paying off…or maybe he is just used to running hills now that we live in the county:)
I was shocked to see that I was tied for 4th in my age group, which shows that this was really not an easy course. It brings out a lot of fast runners, but I think it slows many of us down by several minutes. The 3rd place female in my age group ran a 48:04, which is probably within reach if I run this again and am not hacking up a lung the whole time.
Overall this was really a fun race and a great event. I kind of think it’s one of those races that all Baltimore runners should do at one point- not to try to PR but just as a challenge. It’s hosted by Falls Road Running Store, my other favorite local running store besides Charm City Run:)
I’m not sure if I’ll be back next year, but one day I will take on those Baltimore hills again. Now it’s time to refocus and prepare for the 12 miler on Saturday!
What is the most challenging race you have run?
Have you ever been around someone who fell down during a race?
If you were in Baltimore, would you do this race?
I’m linking up with April, Patty, and Erica for Tuesdays on the Run!
What an amazing job! Sounds like a seriously tough race. And how awesome for Rob to make such a big improvement from last year. Congrats to you both 🙂
Thanks! I was actually surprised it was so difficult- I should have listened to all the warnings:)
I think you did awesome! Congrats! I can’t imagine how hard this was for you with the coughing combined with the tough hills. Reminds of me of the Cow Harbor 10K. I only ran it once (in northport). It’s a top 100 race according to Runner’s World bc of the hills and views. I did see someone fall during a race,i want to say it was during Cow Harbor but I can’t recall for sure but I remember feeling so bad for them and praying it never happened to me.
I have fallen while running but luckily never during a race. I would worry about getting trampled on top of being embarrassed!
Um, you’re a badass. That elevation chart is BS. I HATE down hills like that. When I was running back at home, there are uphills and downhills that are so steep that you are basically going in place, rather than riding through them. So difficult.
I usually love downhills but these were just too steep. And I felt like when I walked up the hills I was moving just as fast as when I was running!
This course sounds like murder to me. Kudos to you for running so well especially coming off of being sick. My first half was quite similar. VERY hilly (I didn’t know it when I signed up, ha!) I’ve also run it coming off an upper resp. infection. No fun at all. I think your coaching is definitely paying off!
Hills and coughing are not a good combo! I couldn’t imagine doing that for 13 miles!
That elevation map looks like a nightmare. I can imagine that being so hard, especially in the MD heat/humidity. You did an incredible job for the course and being sick! I say your coaching Rob is great!
Thanks! I do think you should do it one day:) I hope I didn’t scare you away from it!
You did an awesome job at this race! You owned all those hills, and with a cough at that! Congrats to Rob on his course PR!
The St Louis Half I did in April had awful hills- they have a bridge challenge where you climb and descend two large bridges in the first 5k. I don’t think they were as bad as your hills but I was cursing them!
Thank you! Big hills during a race can be so frustrating. Especially when you aren’t expecting them!
Wow – those hills really are something else, yikes!! Good for you for tackling them even with your husband’s warning;)
The hardest race I have ever run was a trail race this summer. It was my first ever trail race and I was in no way prepared for the crazy hills. It was quite the experience though!
Last fall I ran a 10km with my brother and I actually fell on large down hill at the very beginning and slid a couple feet down the hill. I was totally fine except for a scraped knee and my ego – haha! But a bunch of runners stopped to make sure I was okay, which proves how awesome runners are!!
Oh wow, that fall sounds scary! Glad you were ok!
That sounds seriously tough!!! Congrats on being 4th in your age group! And you did it while recovering from a cold! You are awesome!
Haha thanks! I was definitely surprised about that but I do think it shows that this was a tough (and small) race.
Great job on your race! Racing with hills is tough, especially when they are so steep! You were still super fast in my eyes!
Thanks! It was definitely the steepness that did me in.
I run a local 10K every April and it’s a mix of road and trail and pretty hilly throughout. It’s also a two loop course which makes it somewhat mentally challenging for me. I think you did great with the terrain and the weather! And I’m the girl that falls… at least once a training cycle I fall during a long run (last Friday), and I have been known to totally eat it on trail races. Hope you have a fabulous Tuesday!
Oh no! I would be so nervous to fall during a race. I have fallen plenty of times on training runs though. I don’t think I would like a 2 loop course at all!
Sounds like you did a great job considering the course and your cold! Will you do this one again?
Thanks! I think so…I kind of want redemption:)
That sounds like one of the toughest 10K courses you’ll face, and you still did GREAT. I have never, nor do I expect to, place top 10 in anything – and the fact that you stuck around to ensure that man was OK means double props to you for being a good person to boot 🙂
Thanks! And never say never about the placing. You may surpise yourself!
Great job, especially considering you were feeling a bit under the weather. I’ve heard this race is brutal although I’ve never really had any desire to run such a hilly race haha I’ve heard nothing but good things about it! Great job!
Thanks! I’m not sure how Rob talked me into this one. I am glad I did it though, and I’m sure I’ll be back again.
WHOA that course looks like no joke. Wow. All those hills, all while coughing! Pretty amazing. I’m almost kind of glad I don’t live in Baltimore so that I don’t feel pressured to run that course! Ha ha!
Haha well don’t worry there are plenty of other races you could do here. Sometimes I think that about other states with mountains and crazy elevation.
Some of the most challenging races I’ve run have been some trail races in the area. And with the challenge of trail racing, comes the challenge of staying on your feet. I’ve fallen a few times and I’ve seen others fall. It’s great that people always stop and help.
I’ve never done a real trail race but I guess that makes sense! I’m sure if I were racing on a dirt trail I would fall at some point.
I’ve had those coughing fits when I’ve been sick. I feel bad if I’m around people but I just need to get the coughing out of my system.
Yea there was really no way I could avoid it!
You’re awesome! I don’t mind hills, but could go without them haha. Nice job!
I think I am starting to get used to hills now that I live in a hilly area, but the steep ones definitely still get me!
Wow- what an amazing job on such a difficult course, especially while you still had that cough. All that hill training will be so great for your Marathon. Way to go!
Thanks so much! It was definitely a good training run for my marathon.
Way to go!!!
Baltimore is soooooooooooooooo hilly! I did the Baltimore 10 miler and the Half at the festival last year…GIRLA!!!!
Thanks! Those are two other very hilly/challenging races!!
Wow to those hills! That mapmyrun route really was misleading and didn’t accurately portray the hills. You did great getting through that challenging race! I hope you feel better soon!
Thanks! I was annoyed about the map, but I also expected it to be tough because of the name of the course, and what I had heard from other runners. I just wish I knew when to expect those challenging hills!
Wow,I’m impressed with the hills and how you have been feeling! Great job!!
Thank you!