She Runs by the Seashore

I’d heard great things about the Annapolis Ten Mile Run, but I hadn’t run it before this year because I’d heard it was hot and hilly. It was, but it certainly wasn’t as hot as it could have been for August, and I could see why this Annapolis Striders event has been a successful race for 50 years now.

For the race’s 50th anniversary this year, the first 2,000 people who registered on the first day were offered registration for $50. I took advantage of this deal.

I wasn’t really sure what my time would be. I’d run two other 10-milers this year, one hilly and one flat, and I did think it would be nice if I beat my faster of the two (the Shamrock Shuffle, at 1:55:56). However, for a hot and hilly race, I wasn’t going to make any unreasonable goals. As I got further into the race, I decided to make the goal to finish under two hours, which I was able to do — barely.

There was race morning packet pickup offered, but I stayed with my mom and stepdad close to an hour away, so I picked up my packet on the way to their house the day before the race, which made things easier the next morning. At the expo, someone advised me on which roads to take from where I was staying to avoid traffic and also gave me a good parking spot idea at a local school. The lines were long to get in, so I didn’t mind the half-mile warm up to get to the race.

Once I arrived to the start area at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on Aug. 24, I took a spot in the bathroom line and ended up missing the Eastern Shore Running Club group photo (but it was worth it to get that pre-race bathroom stop in).

The race started at 7 a.m. While I’m not always a morning person, I always appreciate an early race start because I would rather avoid running in as much heat as possible. The first three miles were not overly hilly and I was thinking it really wasn’t too bad. The sun came out around Mile 3, and the bigger hills would come later. Throughout the race, I was comparing it to the RRCA Club Challenge in Columbia as far as difficulty.

I ran the first three miles in 10:52, 11:08 and 11:21. This included a run on the roads around Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium and down Rowe Boulevard, which becomes Bladen Street, into the downtown area. There was a hill by the Naval Academy, and then we would head up over a bridge crossing the Severn River into residential areas. The trek up the bridge was a challenge, but at least we had the downhill to look forward to.

One thing I was really impressed by was the community’s support of the race. There were plenty of spectators and supporters out to cheer on the runners. The part of the course on the other side of the bridge was in residential areas before it headed onto Governor Ritchie Highway, and I recall seeing a woman with a sign that read “Welcome to Ferry Farms” as we entered that neighborhood. This part of the course was scenic, but there were some difficult hills. At one point, there was an out and back that involved a downhill and then an uphill coming back.

I’d been doing some mental math, and in order to finish the race in under two hours, I had to speed up a little over the last few miles. I had the bridge to get back up and over, but I was able to speed up to meet that goal.

There were plenty of aid stations, which I truly appreciate. The last aid station was a particularly enthusiastic group — I’m pretty sure it was Midshipmen from the Naval Academy — and they were offering to splash people with water. I took them up on it, and I got splashed twice. This definitely gave me the push I needed to make the last mile a strong one.

I’d heard there was another hill by the end of the race, but that one was relatively small, and I pushed up it, knowing I didn’t have far to go.

I finished with a time of 1:59:34, an 11:58/mile average pace. With the heat and hills, I was pleased with that time. I received my finisher jacket — this race is known for its great swag — and while on site, I did later exchange my large for an XL (if you’re thinking of running this in the future, you might want to size up). We also got a race hat with registration at packet pickup.

I also enjoyed a paleta and a beer after finishing. The Eastern Shore Running Club had a big showing at this race, and I connected with some friends after the race. I saw a few people in the morning, too, and started out in the corral with Anna.

I enjoyed the event and I’m glad I finally got to do this Maryland staple. I think the Club Challenge course is harder, but the weather certainly has an impact for this one, too (the Club Challenge is in February).

Splits

Mile 1: 10:52
Mile 2: 11:08
Mile 3: 11:21
Mile 4: 12:36
Mile 5: 12:21
Mile 6: 12:45
Mile 7: 12:27
Mile 8: 11:41
Mile 9: 11:47
MIle 10: 11:26
Last bit (watch had .12): 1:07 / 9:13 pace

Final on watch: 1:59:34 for 10.12 / 11:49/mile pace; final on results: 1:59:34 / 11:58/mile pace