Since 1996, the Fredericksburg Area Running Club has hosted a 10-mile race in late August. The club’s objective was to provide a long race event for those runners training for a fall marathon or other long event.
First, in Hartwood, co-RD Chris Koehler moved the race venue to Culpeper in 2016.
The last 3 miles of the race are on Route 666 and, without cloud cover, would be hot in full sunlight. Thus, the Devil’s Den 10 Mile was born.
This past Thursday, I had a consultation with a Pulmonologist to discuss my intermittent shortness of breath and coughing spells. That day, I took a Pulmonary Function Test. As part of the test, they infused me with a Bronchodilator.
Later on Thursday, my doctor informed me the test found an abnormality,
and he wants to do a CAT scan, another test, and see me in 2 weeks. Maybe, the Bronchodilator had an effect. I know my breathing on Friday’s run was not as labored.
With a breathing issue and eight days after a crappy 50km, a ten-mile race is a necessity. I planned to walk for 1 minute at each of the four water stops. A finish between 100 and 110 minutes would be excellent.
I got out by 5:15 am and arrived at the Culpeper Sports Complex at 6:15 am. It’s nice to see the breaking daylight on the eastern horizon on the country roads of Virginia. How many people not rushed for work experience these simple pleasures?
The weather was 62 degrees with a 61-degree dew point and partly cloudy skies. In the days leading up to the race, forecasts predicted a mid-50s dew point. So, it could have been nicer. I’ll accept eight degrees lower than 2021.
I wore shorts over compression shorts, my red FARC singlet with the original club logo, a ball cap to keep the sun out of my eyes, and my new Saucony Triumph 19 shoes.
The race started at 7:15 am.
I stuck with my plan walking for a minute at each water stop.
Miles 1.5 to 3.5 were directly into the sun. I wished I had worn my sunglasses. I had to pull my cap bill down to block the light.
We turned onto the spur road to Brandy Station. While on the spur, I heard a large truck coming from behind. A small car led the truck. But, did the truck, probably used to haul garbage, need to use this road? The smell lingered for a few minutes. Being on country roads, I accepted the course was not closed to traffic.
One of the co-RDs was directing runners at the turnaround in Brandy Station. I joked with her about the truck. I hope the Deputy next to her didn’t take me seriously.
Along the route, a multitude of yard signs protested a future data center coming to Brandy Station. Go figure; people will protest anything, including tax-generating clean industry. If Culpeper doesn’t want it, maybe Stafford would take it off their hands.
I was able to push the inclines without causing breathing issues. Just before mile 6, I almost caught Edwin Ridout as he was taking a cell phone picture. The fields in the area were in full aroma. Cell phones need to add a smell capture feature.
Just before mile 7, we turned onto Route 666. This road has been resurfaced in the last 12 months, and I appreciated the smoothness. Though, my new shoes were not broken in enough.
For the last 4 miles, Edwin stayed about 20 seconds in front of me. I didn’t yoyo, I couldn’t catch him, and he finished 20 seconds before me.
While on Route 666, we had periods of sun and clouds. With the sun to my back, it was not as bad as I thought it would be.
My mile splits were consistent: 9:33, 9:25, 10:06, 10:06, 10:16, 9:43, 10:16, 9:56, 10:26, and 9:47. My odd miles included a one-minute walk break. My finish time of 1:39:39 was 2 seconds slower than 2021, good for 75th overall, 55th male, and 10th in the Male 60 to 69 age group.
They gave a cool finisher’s award, a trucker had with the race logo, though I’m more of a ball cap person.
This race was the sixth in the 2022 Coldwell Banker Elite Grand Prix. Having run them all, I received the second piece of the GP medal, one part for each three race finishes.
I was pleased about my time. Except for immediately after finishing, my breathing did not affect me. I’m not sure if the Bronchodilator and low dew point helped. Let’s hope for the best on my easy runs in the next few days.
I’ll do the CAT scan and discuss my breathing with my doctor. It’s time to build for fall marathons and whatever comes my way.