My Profile
@jus10
Gainesville, VA Raving since 2021 Active 2 years, 5 months agoAbout Me
My Races
Organize, track & review your races and personal bests here.
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(Marathon or Ultra) + Half
Marathon + Ultra
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Future Races
Personal Bests (3)
| Race | Distance | Location | Date | Result |
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| TCS New York City Marathon | Marathon | Staten Island, NY | Nov 6, 2022 | 5:13:18 |
| Allianz Richmond Marathon | Half Marathon | Richmond, VA | Nov 13, 2021 | 1:44:05 |
| PNC Alexandria Half (fka Parkway Classic) | 10 Miler | Alexandria, VA | Apr 24, 2022 | 1:16:37 |
Future Races (0)
| Race | Distance | Location | Date | Paid |
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Past Races (6)
| Race | Distance | Location | Date | Result | My Raves | My Performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TCS New York City Marathon | Marathon | Staten Island, NY | Nov 6, 2022 | 5:13:18 |
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| NYRR RBC Brooklyn Half Marathon | Half Marathon | Brooklyn, NY | May 21, 2022 | 1:45:23 |
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| PNC Alexandria Half (fka Parkway Classic) | 10 Miler | Alexandria, VA | Apr 24, 2022 | 1:16:37 |
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| Reston 10 Miler | 10 Miler | Reston, VA | Mar 6, 2022 | 1:18:42 |
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| Allianz Richmond Marathon | Half Marathon | Richmond, VA | Nov 13, 2021 | 1:44:05 |
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| Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run | 10 Miler | Washington, DC | Sep 12, 2021 | 1:28:55 |
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TCS New York City Marathon
Hot and Humid this year
TCS New York City Marathon
So this year was my marathon debut and unusually warm and humid for November. So I’m checking the “ate me alive” difficulty option but more experienced runners or in more … MORE
So this year was my marathon debut and unusually warm and humid for November. So I’m checking the “ate me alive” difficulty option but more experienced runners or in more favorable weather would have a much easier time. I don’t think NYC needs much of an introduction. It’s the big show and an experience on its own. I’d recommend everyone do it at least once. Except maybe the Queensboro bridge; I think we can all skip that part of the experience. The city comes out in support of this marathon and it’s great. I saw people frantically trying to open cases of water bottles or help runners. And I was also airhorned in the face by very very excited fans who’d had many mimosas that morning. But the city’s heart is in the right place. I’d recommend this race to anyone.
NYRR RBC Brooklyn Half Marathon
Great time, weather can be anything
NYRR RBC Brooklyn Half Marathon
So this was the first Brooklyn Half since 2019 and this year's even was a humid foggy affair. Of the 18,000 or so finishers there are two waves and I … MORE
So this was the first Brooklyn Half since 2019 and this year’s even was a humid foggy affair. Of the 18,000 or so finishers there are two waves and I was in Wave 1. There was extra water available at the start and everyone tried to prepare for unexpected heat early in the season. This was by far the largest race I’ve participated in and my plan of following the pacer for one corral slower than “goal” and speeding up when I left Prospect Park didn’t happen. The sea of humanity that surged forth at the start meant I didn’t see the pacer until after the finish (behind me thankfully). As I’m sure other reviews have said, the race really has two parts. The first is through Prospect Park and beautiful. Other than Battle Pass Hill at about Miles 5-6. It’s noticeable and it’ll slow everyone down. The second half is on the flat, slightly downhill highway to Coney Island. In theory this is fast, but with the heat and the sun coming out I faded a bit between miles 11 and 12 coming in about 20 seconds behind my PR time. It’s also boring and feels like a grind until you get close to the boardwalk. Still I had a lot of fun with this. If you race this and you end up in Wave 2 (which for this year was roughly a finish time over 2 hours), you may want to consider bringing a handheld water bottle for after the park. If it’s hot, the volunteers generating water cups can’t always keep up with demand later on. I would absolutely run this race again.
PNC Alexandria Half (fka Parkway Classic)
A fun point to point 10 miler
PNC Alexandria Half (fka Parkway Classic)
So this is the 3rd 10 Miler in 3 months for DC/NOVA if you pair this with the Reston 10 Miler and Cherry Blossom 10 Miler. I'd also say in … MORE
So this is the 3rd 10 Miler in 3 months for DC/NOVA if you pair this with the Reston 10 Miler and Cherry Blossom 10 Miler. I’d also say in terms of difficulty it’s the middle ground with Reston having the most hills and the Cherry Blossom race having the least. This race starts with a slight downhill and is mostly flat other than hills at Miles 5 and 8. Mile 5 is the larger but it’s over quicker. Mile 8 feels drawn out as you can see the hill going for a while and you’re at the point in a 10 mile race where you can feel it. After that there is just a minor bump on Franklin Street and you turn down the long straightaway to the park.
This year it was warm enough to do this race in a tshirt and shorts however I underestimated how cool it would be next to the water at Mount Vernon prior to sunrise. Thankfully they had heatsheets (my first one!) which were a lifesaver. I chose to donate my shirt cost to charity so the heatsheet and very nice finishers medal are my swag along with free photos which are always appreciated (they aren’t done yet at the time of typing). Next year I’ll bring a sweater and toss it in my gear check bag before taking off on the race. I didn’t check anything this year as my car was near the end. I didn’t think about checking things from BEFORE the race started. It was plenty warm after; it was before that I needed the cold weather gear.
The race offered shuttle busses from up near Oronoco Bay park (which is the finish) down to Mount Vernon and that made things very convienent. They were DASH buses which are the Alexandria transit system. The production and logistics to pull all of this off were very impressive. Pacers did a great job with this and I’ll be back next year (and in the DC Half in the Fall) if I can fit them into my running schedule!
Reston 10 Miler
A nice local 10 Milers
Reston 10 Miler
So this was my first year running the Reston 10 Miler which starts and finishes at South Lakes High School. It's put on by PRRaces so affiliated with Potomac River … MORE
So this was my first year running the Reston 10 Miler which starts and finishes at South Lakes High School. It’s put on by PRRaces so affiliated with Potomac River Running. That means free photos, bib pickup before the race if you need to, some decent swag (this year was a nice windbreaker) and just a nice low pressure race you can register for up to the day beforehand if you wish. Being at South Lakes HS means that you have access to real bathrooms before/after as needed and it’s heated which can be nice. I ran a 10K here in February where I was freezing in tights but for this 10 Miler I was in shorts and tshirt. The temperature returned to winter later that week. I would say by Northern VA standards this course is hilly. There are no massive hills to climb but you are usually going up or down as you loop around. So it’s not as flat or fast as the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler a month later, but there’s no lottery for this and no corrals (you just line up at the start time and wait for the horn). I believe there is a Fall version of this race where you can do a 10K or 10M so I may be back for that as well.
Allianz Richmond Marathon 🏆
A nice return year and blanket!
Allianz Richmond Marathon 🏆
Sportsbackers did a great job this year with the first in person Richmond Marathon since the start of the pandemic. This was my first in-person race with them (though I … MORE
Sportsbackers did a great job this year with the first in person Richmond Marathon since the start of the pandemic. This was my first in-person race with them (though I did the course out in Dorey Park during the off year). As other reviewers noted, the medals got delayed in shipping so I don’t have one yet. However the all important blanket was at the finish and is honestly the nicest piece of swag I’ve gotten so far. The course is generally middle of the road in difficulty. Thanks to several groups cheering from the sidelines who called out for the “holes” in the course (water meter covers which were missing and would have done some damage if someone stepped into them). I ended up running with a pace group which was extremely helpful as apparently my footpod had been lying to me about how fast I had been going in training. I figured it was off when I got to the 10K mark on the course and my watch was saying 11K. But I hit my time goal and had a great time in sunshine and not too cold (although it was at the starting line). I got a banana and granola bar at the finish. Pizza and beer where an option but I was a little queasy so headed back to the car.
I was able to get parking near the finish by 6AM. Next time, I may just stay in one of the hotels in walking distance. I guess I’d probably have to do the full marathon then. There isn’t a ton of room at the downtown start to warm up. I ended up jogging up and down the steps of the Library of Virginia.
Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run
The unique September run was great
Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run
So I entered this race somewhat on a lark as my first post-pandemic race. There were extra spots available after the lottery closed so I signed up. And now it's … MORE
So I entered this race somewhat on a lark as my first post-pandemic race. There were extra spots available after the lottery closed so I signed up. And now it’s my top A-List race and the one I’m most looking forward to running again next year (if I make it in the lottery). While normally in Spring, this run was in September. So it was blossom-less, but the weather was dryer but warmer than ideal for running. However as someone who has lived in the DMV for 15 years, this is pretty close to the hometown race. The course is all in DC, except for when you cross the Memorial Bridge to Arlington. With the endless construction though, the course could always change.
As this was my first race, there were a few things I didn’t really understand yet. My times have been improving, but my corral was based on the time from my semi-virtual 10K I ran in June in the heat. I had improved substantially and had a time goal and was planning on following a pace group. The corrals though are based on your previous reported time so I ended up in the corral behind the pace group of my goal time. Anyway I went on solo and beat my goal time so next year I should move up a corral and that I think puts me closer to my current pace unless I get faster again.
The medal and technical shirt were add-ons. I was initially put off by that, but now that medals are starting to pile up on my desk, I get it. I did pay for the medal this year and didn’t get the technical shirt upgrade. Next year I’ll probably skip the medal and may get the tech shirt upgrade depending on design.
The expo was small this year (or so I’m told – its the only one for this race I’ve been to) due to pandemic recovery but in the National Building Museum. Easy enough to get the bib, look around, and get back to the hotel.
This race has the most solid production of any I’ve done so far. Long detailed emails with the info I need to know, clear website with updated news and the raceday ran like a clock. While other races have had me hunting for information or stalking Facebook comments, this race brought the info I needed to me instead of having me hunt for it. That I really enjoyed. The lottery for next year’s run in April opens in early January I believe and it is at present, my most hopeful race to get into.