2022 Alexandria Turkey Trot 5 Miler
Prologue
My last race was the 2022 Erie Marathon, where I successfully re-qualified for next year’s Boston Marathon!
The next day, I broke my right pinky toe on the coffee table and took several weeks off running. I began running again before the doctor cleared me, but I wore a pair of Hoka Bondis for additional cushioning and ran on the treadmill because it was a softer surface. In the days before the race, the arch of my right foot hurt, and I worried that I had started running too soon.
Goals
Likely: Sub-43:00 (8:36 pace). Looking at my training log, I ran the race about a minute-and-a-half pace faster than my training runs last year, and lately, I’ve been running around 9:30 to 10:00 pace.
Personal records
Grandmaster:
- PR and Most Recent 5-Miler: 39:46 (7:58 pace), 2021 Alexandria Turkey Trot.
Master:
- 5-Miler PR: 33:47 (6:46 pace), 2015 Alexandria Turkey Trot.
Course
The race is in the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria, Virginia. It starts next to George Washington Middle School on Mount Vernon Avenue. It goes north almost a mile and then heads south on Commonwealth Avenue. After a couple of loops through neighborhood streets, the course goes back up Commonwealth and down Mount Vernon. The course is entirely flat, with a water stop at mile 3. There are spots of fairly enthusiastic crowd support.
Strategy
Strategy: Given my recent lay-off, I thought the best course of action would be just to go out and see what happens.
Playlist
I compiled 45 minutes of music for the race – mostly some of my favorite songs from the year. Some highlights:
Mile 0. “Better Days,” NEKKED, Mae Muller, Polo G. I thought this would be a good song to kick off my return to racing because it’s what I’m hoping for.
Mile 3: “This Too Shall Pass,” OK Go. I like this song during a difficult part of a race.
Mile 5: “Unstoppable,” Sia. This song is my new “power song” and is what I wanted to hear coming into the finish.
Pre-race
I woke up early and had coffee. Although I only had a plate of mashed potatoes for dinner, I didn’t eat breakfast. I played an online game and then walked the dog – a new part of my pre-race routine. I walked the dog.
My boyfriend was also running the race, and we left the house at 7:40 am for the 9 am race start. We arrived in Del Ray and settled on a place to park. Just as we were starting our jog to George Washington Middle School, someone said, “I know where you’re going.” I said something pleasant, and we resumed our trek to pick up our bib.
Race registration was quick. My boyfriend purchased the race shirt, and that line was fast, too. We stayed in the gym to stay warm, but my boyfriend left me after a few minutes. About 15 minutes before the race started, I went for a short warm-up. I couldn’t find my boyfriend before that started, but we messaged one another good luck.
Weather
It was more pleasant than I expected – just over 40 degrees at the start and some sun.
The Race
Miles 0 to 2 (Mount Vernon Ave. and Commonwealth Ave.)
The start of the race was very congested. Runners who hadn’t lined up towards the start rushed ahead, sometimes cutting in dangerously close. It seemed as though many people came out to cheer, which was nice. My legs felt more sluggish than usual, and breathing was a chore.
After almost a mile, the course turned west onto Uhler Avenue, near the neighborhood library. The road on this block was terrible, and I watched my step.
One block later, the course turned south onto Commonwealth Avenue, and shortly after that, I passed the Mile 1 marker. I was surprised that my first split was 8:14 pace because I didn’t think I was running that fast. I consciously slowed down.
As I approached the first major intersection, Braddock Road, I saw the motorcade come. I thought, Wow, I can’t believe the leaders are already heading back! Sure enough, the lead runner ran past me before I ran two miles!
After turning right onto Chapman Street, I passed the Mile 2 marker.
Splits: 8:14, 8:21.
Miles 2 to 5 (Neighborhood Loop, Commonwealth Ave., and Mount Vernon Ave.)
The part of the course can get a little congested as there is a succession of tight turns, but I managed to navigate the crowd without incident. I turned left onto Russell Road and forced myself to slow down to have more energy for the final miles.
We veered left onto Linden Street. I saw a runner turn toward the start and a police officer look at him suspiciously. Usually, this is about when I feel a second wind coming on, but I knew I’d be lucky to hold on. The course wound through the southern part of Mount Vernon Avenue and headed west on Maple Street.
I cruised right onto Commonwealth Avenue and passed the Mile 3 marker. I ran through the water stop. For the next half mile or so, a young girl running beside me would stop and then jog to catch up to me.
The course turned right onto Oxford Avenue, and I passed the Mile 4 marker. A couple pushing a stroller stopped. I could tell the man, running with a dog, wanted to keep running even though the woman was tending to the baby.
I swung right onto Mount Vernon Avenue and went wide to the left of the road. I wanted to run alone. I hoped I would find another gear because the course was slightly downhill, but I was exhausted.
I turned left into the school. A few steps later, I felt a runner pull alongside me on the right. Not wanting to pull someone in, I started my kick.
Splits: 8:30, 8:59, 8:42.
Post-race
I crossed the finish line and then circled back to find my boyfriend. He finished about two minutes after me. We went inside the school gym for post-race food, but this year, it was outside.
We grabbed some water and then contemplated walking to the local coffee shop, but given the cold and the distance from our car, then opted against it. Instead, we had a late breakfast at a local dinner before heading home.
Result
I was the 775th finisher out of 4,482 (top 18%), 222nd female out of 944 (top 10%), and 16th in my age group out of 325 (top 5%).
The winner, Willy Fink, finished in a blistering 23:04 (4:37 pace) – a course record!
Epilogue
I didn’t have the best race – I went out too hard. And I would have done better if I’d run more conservatively initially.
I have a few more weeks before I start training for the 2023 Boston Marathon!
Next race: 2023 New Year, New Day 10K
Abridged Version
Going into the race, I didn’t feel very confident, given that I hadn’t been training for two months due to a broken toe.
The first mile was faster than I intended. I tried to hang back a little during the next mile, but my legs wouldn’t turn over by the third mile. I tried to run harder in the final mile but could only manage a final kick in the last quarter mile of the race.
My time was 42:58 (8:36 pace). I have a few more weeks before I start training for the 2023 Boston Marathon!
