Cold rainy morning..about 40 degrees. This is the 3rd year I've run this race and the 3rd year they've had it. I got a special pin with my packet since I have run it every year. They seem to have worked out the bugs because pre-race went pretty smooth. Runners park at the National Harbor and are bussed to the start line in Mount Vernon (13 miles away). The nice thing about this race is the 1st mile is downhill :) Love starting that way...gives you a good feeling like "this isn't too bad...it's gonna be a good run!" Started near the back of the pack and immediately found a few people I wanted to pace myself with. They were the run for some distance then walk for 30 seconds or so kind of runners. I would pass them when they walked then they would pass me when they started running again. I decided to give it a try and secretly follow them. That lasted for a while but then they lost me at a water station and I couldn't catch back up so I found another target. I found a lady who had a purple shirt and looked close to my age. I liked her pace so I stuck with it. No more stopping / starting like the other runners. Walked through the water stations and kept it steady. Purple shirt and I stuck it out together most of the way. Mile 9 while crossing the bridge and enjoying the view of Washington DC, my right knee screamed with a sharp pain...WHAT! NOT NOW! I was feeling so good! I stopped (because I had to) and stretched then walked it out for a minute. I started running again and my knee screamed again...stretched again. Started running again and realized if I didn't push off with my toes, my knee didn't hurt (as bad). I found my new form which wasn't too far from my natural cadence so it was doable. Made it the rest of the way and blew past a few people on the last mile (they were on crutches, but hey!). Finished...had my bagel and beer and stayed for part of the awards. The fastest girl finished in 1hr 13 min. she was from Arizona :)
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