She Runs by the Seashore

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Now that my first race of the year is behind me, I think I have somewhat of an idea of how I can expect to do at my first half marathon of 2018, the United Airlines Rock ‘n’ Roll Washington, D.C. half marathon, which is one week away.

At that first race of the year, the Maryland-District of Columbia RRCA 10 Mile Club Challenge, I had put down a 1:35 goal time on Athlinks, but decided that a more reasonable goal would to aim for sub-10-minute miles. I didn’t hit that goal, either, but I felt good on a very hilly course, and then today, I was able to run two miles in 16:51, the fastest I’ve run in a long time.

When I joined the start list for this race on Athlinks, I put down a goal of 2:14. Running an even 2:14:00 would be my fastest half marathon since I ran 2:07:27 at the Rehoboth Beach Seashore Half Marathon in 2016.

I would love to run a sub-10-minute pace next Saturday, which would be about a 2:10, according to this Runner’s World pace chart. Although I think that could possibly be in reach, trying to beat that 2:14 time is probably a little more reasonable, which would put me at about a 10:13 or so pace, according to this pace chart.

Either way, I expect my pace to be a little faster than it was at the 10-miler (about 10:22), just because the 10-miler was so hilly. The Rock ‘n’ Roll D.C. race was not a terribly hilly course, aside from one massive hill. I think I’ll aim for mostly 10-minute or just-under miles, but give myself a little bit of extra time for that mile — it was around Mile 6.

Anyway, enough about me! If you want to sign up for Rock ‘n’ Roll D.C., which includes a marathon, half marathon and 5K, the online registration will close this Sunday, March 4, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time. (That gives us on the East Coast till 2:59 a.m. Monday, March 5, but why wait till then?)

Here are the race details:

Date: March 10, 2018

Time: 7 a.m. (marathon), 8 a.m. (5K), 8:30 a.m. (half marathon)

Start Location: Constitution Avenue and 14th Street NW (half and full marathon), RFK Stadium, 22nd Street SE (5K)

Finish Location: RFK Stadium, E. Capitol Street NE (all races)

Expo Information: Thursday, March 8, from noon-7 p.m. and Friday, March 9, from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. at the DC Armory, 2001 E Capitol St SE, Washington, D.C.

Course maps and time limits can be found here. Parking, metro and other transportation information can be found here. The metro won’t be open in time for the marathoners, but there is a shuttle available to them.

The prices as of March 3 are $129.99 for the marathon, $109.99 for the half marathon and $49.99 for the 5K, but you can save $15 on the half or full marathons with code “RNRBRP2018.”

Register online here, and be sure to use the code! 

I’ve already blogged about some of the updates that Rock ‘n’ Roll is making as part of the 2018 Experience, but since my last blog post on this race, the headliner has been announced. After the race, we’ll be able to enjoy music by Vintage Trouble. You can see a video of Vintage Trouble here.

I am really looking forward to meeting up with my fellow BibRave Pros at this race, and I encourage you to look for me at the expo and at the race! I will be wearing my BibRave orange both days.

I am taking a half day of work on Friday and heading to the expo after that, so I plan to be at the expo Friday afternoon, and then I’ll be somewhere around the 2:15 pacer in the corrals in the morning. I am always flattered when people recognize me by my blog, so please come say hi!

Visit the Rock ‘n’ Roll D.C. website, where you can learn more about the race and register (through this Sunday at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time), here. 

Like She Runs by the Seashore on Facebook here.