She Runs by the Seashore

I’ve been running the MD-DC RRCA Club Challenge 10 Miler for several years, and I used to run the Tim Kennard River Run 10-miler every year, too. However, the Club Challenge race is super hilly, and I’ve been volunteering at Tim Kennard for several years, so it had really been a while since I ran a flat 10-miler. I definitely thrive on flat courses compared to hilly ones, since almost all of my running is on flat roads and trails.

I decided to run Seashore Striders’ Shamrock Shuffle 10 Miler in Lewes, which was March 16. The last time I ran a flat 10-mile race was back in 2019, at Tim Kennard. My time at the Shamrock Shuffle was 21 minutes slower than that time from six years ago (I knew I’d be nowhere near that), but I was pleased with my effort, and I was able to knock a couple minutes off my time from a few weeks before.

I drove to Cape Henlopen State Park’s main beach entrance in Lewes, that morning from my house, a little more than an hour away. Packet pickup was quick and easy before the 9 a.m. start.

It had looked like it could be a little warm, but at the beach, it was chilly. I was cold in my tank and shorts before the race began, but once I got running, I was fine.

The course was an out-and-back on trails, much of which was the Gordon’s Pond Trail. Some of the course was paved and some was a crushed stone path, but there weren’t any roots or challenging terrain (although there was some sand on the sidewalk on the way to and from the turnaround).

I knew I wanted to beat my time from this year’s Club Challenge, which was 1:58:25. I thought maybe I had the possibility to keep up a sub-11:00 pace, but I really wasn’t too confident about that, as I had a lighter couple months of running to start out the year.

I ran my first mile in 10:53, but after that, I slowed down a little. I took a short walk when I got to each mile to give myself something to look forward to. I do a lot of run-walk intervals in my general running, and it helped me stay motivated during this race.

The race also included a 5K. Most people did the 5K — 106 finished the 5K compared to 46 who finished the 10-miler. So, there were many more people to run with during the first 1.55 miles. After that, it was pretty much a quiet, solo run for me. There were a couple people I was near, but it wasn’t like there were big groups running together. As it was on a trail, there were also not really spectators, though there were well-staffed water stops. I do always enjoy the scenery of Cape Henlopen State Park and its trails.

I was able to stay consistent with my pace throughout the run, keeping every mile under 12:00 until Mile 9, and I think my walk breaks may have been at both the beginning and end of that mile. I pushed harder during the last mile, knowing I was near the end and trying to make up a little time. My last mile was the fastest of the run, at 10:31.

I ended with a time of 1:55:56. While nowhere near my previous flat course time, I was glad it was a little faster than my time on the hilly Club Challenge course a few weeks before.

After the race, there were bagels and snacks, and I also walked up to an overlook point that was right by the finish line.

My average pace was 11:36/mile. I’m looking forward to see if I can run a faster pace at the Fast & Furriest Run for Rescues 15K next weekend (that’s a little less than a 10-miler).

Tomorrow, I’ll be back on some of the same trails during the Coastal Delaware Running Festival Half Marathon. I’m pacing the 2:45 half marathon.

Splits

Mile 1: 10:53
Mile 2: 11:24
Mile 3: 11:59
Mile 4: 11:39
Mile 5: 11:31
Mile 6: 11:57
Mile 7: 11:48
Mile 8: 11:56
Mile 9: 12:12
Mile 10: 10:31
Last bit (.01): 3.1 seconds / 7:44 pace

Final time: 1:55:56 / 11:36 pace (watch time: 1:55:58 / 11:35 pace)