This race was one of the last I ran in 2023 before getting health complications. Six months after my procedure, I was hoping to be off the beta blockers that were reducing my heart rate and oxygen to my leg muscles. However, I had complications and need to continue the meds for at least four more months.
Slow times and lack of easy runs are becoming discouraging. I may have to convince my doctor that the meds may stop me from physical activity, which is a cure for what ails me.
Still on meds, my plans for today’s race are intervals of 6-minute runs and 2-minute walks.
I must not be concerned with performing my best. I took my grandson to a 3:30 pm UVA football game in Charlottesville on Saturday. After dropping him off in Richmond, I knew I would only get 5 hours of sleep. We needed to stop to eat after the game. My selection was Taco Bell. I’ve never had pre-race tacos.
Before heading to the game, I prepared my clothes for the race and stopped at Academy Sports for packet pickup. On Sunday morning, all I would need to do is pin a bib to my singlet. Everything else was good to go.
By 6:35 am, I started my journey to Spotsyltucky Courthouse to run the 10km Run through History.
Today was the 14th edition of this race, the 11th, using the course through the Spotsylvania Battlefield. This race was my eighth finish and fifth on the new route.
The Spotsy YMCA managed this race. For the first three years, the course went through the subdivision south and east of the courthouse. By 2014, the YMCA worked with the National Park Service and Spotsy Sheriff Dept to run on Brock Road, Route 208 bypass, and the Spotsylvania Battlefields.
The Battle of Spotsylvania, which took place between May 9 and 21, 1864, was the second major battle between Grant’s and Lee’s forces. The first battle was at Wilderness, about 10 miles to the northwest, and was inconclusive. Grant’s troops outnumbered Lee’s 2 to 1, and Grant searched for more favorable ground.
The YMCA placed historical signs along the race route with information on the battle for those who wanted to learn as they ran.
This battle was inconclusive, and Lee moved south toward Richmond with battles at North Anna and Cold Harbor before the nine-month siege of Petersburg.
I headed out around 7:30 am to run/walk for 12 minutes before coming back in time for the FARC group photo.
I wore shorts over compression shorts, my blue FARC singlet over a long-sleeved shirt, a ball cap, a neck gaiter, gloves, and my Saucony Triumph 21 shoes. My eyebrows don’t keep sweat out of my eyes, even with the sweatband from a hat. For the longest time, I’ve always worn a rolled bandana under my hat. I forgot to put a bandana in my go bag as part of my Saturday prep. I hoped for the best.
I arrived at the start line with a few minutes to spare and lined up in the back of the pack.
The temperature was 53 degrees with a 52-degree dew point and sunny skies. Winds were slight to none. By my expected finish time, the temperature was expected to rise a few degrees.
The first mile is slightly uphill and flat on Brock Road. We got into the battlefield park at about mile 1.5. The route through the park is downhill until the two-mile marker, then ups and downs until mile five. The course leaves the park just after mile 5 and runs straight on Route 208 bypass with a slight uphill, finishing in Spotsylvania Courthouse Village.
The first mile felt more uphill than I remembered and seemed uphill until we reached the park. I passed some people while running and lost position when I walked. I don’t know how many people were behind me, but I felt I was DFL. My first mile was 12:23. Running at this pace, I noticed more country smells.
After getting into the park, I kept on the tangents. With the aid of a few downhills, my second mile was 12:04. I also ran through parts of my walk break, waiting until the road turned up to walk.
My neck was getting warm, so I removed my gaiter and tucked in my shorts. With the extra uphill, my third mile was 13:04.
In the fourth mile, there is a sharp 150-degree turn. I glanced back to see if there were any runners behind me. After a flat section, there is an uphill. My fourth-mile time was 12:34.
The fifth mile was a series of ups and downs with a few turns and a final steep up before the marker. My fifth mile was 12:35. After passing the sign, I looked at my watch to see 1:02:58. If I can continue my pace for the last 2 km, I can finish under 1:20. More on that 1:20 goal later.
After turning onto the Route 208 bypass, I felt a chilling wind. It was still slight but cold. I passed a male runner on the straight for two more Grand Prix points.
Even up the hill, my running stride felt better in this last mile. My sixth mile was a 12:16. The course setup at the Old Battlefield Drive intersection prevented me from running the shortest path, adding distance.
Entering Old Battlefield Drive, I hit the right tangent on the traffic circle, then the straight line on the left tangent to the finish line. However, somebody parked in the tangent, which diverted me some,
My finish time of 77:34 was 19 minutes slower than last year.
I put on a dry shirt, overshirt, and knit hat. I was the announcer for the Coldwell Banker Elite Grand Prix finisher medals distribution. The timers provided a list of medal recipients who finished under 1:20. I was the one who set that limit and the motivation to finish under that time. This race was my ninth Grand Prix race finish. Those finishing nine races get the Fall medal. However, we could not find the medals. So until the next races, the race was virtual.
I finished 110th overall, 65th male, and DFL in the 60 to 69-year-old age group.
I’m happy to finish another Grand Prix race, keeping my streak alive. I have three more Grand Prix races to run.