Inaugural Frederick 10-miler Race Report

This past weekend I ran in the Inaugural Frederick 10-miler. This race was organized by the local YMCA and proceeds from the race went to Y Campaign for Kids. The funds raised help kids who may not otherwise have a chance to participate in Y programs, camps and childcare. I had signed up for this race a while ago, and planned just to use this race as a long run, since I was not training for anything in particular. The race was planned to start at 6:30am in front of the YMCA. I had picked up my race packet the day before, so I had planned to get there at about 5:45am, so that I could warm up and make sure I knew where the start line was. I set my clock for 4:45am, so that I could eat my breakfast (bagel with peanut butter), and get dressed. Waking up at that time was not too bad since that was the “fall back” day and we gained an hour of sleep. After eating, I looked at the local weather and it was clear, but only 35F, so added my long sleeve shirt, long pants and hat to my wardrobe. I headed out the door at 5:30ish

After getting to the Y, I pinned my Bib number to my shirt and headed inside the Y. It was very crowded, and people were laughing and talking. I used the washroom, and talked to a few fellow runners about the upcoming race. Around 6:00am, the race director mad an announcement that there would be last minute instructions and the national anthem at 6:25, with the race starting right at 6:30am. I quickly left, and took a quick 0.5mile warmup run. By the time I finished and made it to the start line, the national anthem was being sung.

At 6:30am, the race director used the “ready, go” method of starting the race, and we were off. There were about 300 people that began running down Market street toward downtown Frederick. After about 0.25miles, I was sure glad that I wore my cold weather clothes!!


Mile 1 – I began the race a bit easy… since I did not have a real goal, I wanted to see how my legs felt. The first mile took us to downtown Frederick. Right before the 1-mile mark, the course turned onto 2nd ave. However, the cone to make the turn got turned over, and about 20 or so runners missed the turn. The guy in front of me was yelling “right turn, right turn!!” I turned right, others did not – pace 7:22m/m

Mile 2 – During this mile, there were only two people in front of me. I have never been near the lead in a race, and it felt good. Maybe those fast runners would never turn around and I could come in 1st or 2nd. This thought made me push myself a bit harder. Took water at the water stop.. stopped to drink it Pace 7:21m/m

Mile 3 – Still in the lead. In this mile we started to move away from downtown by taking a long stretch of road (Rosemont) toward Fort Detrick. This stretch was a bit long and boring, but I did see my neighbor, Bob, who commented that I was on a good pace. I also noticed that a gal running near me was very popular on the course…. Several people kept yelling her name… Kimberly. Pace 7:18m/m

Mile 4 – This mile was mostly around the perimeter of Fort Detrick where Rosemont becomes yellow springs. It was still kinda boring. However, the worst thing happened this mile…. Someone passed me, and he was running real fast. I finally figured out it was one of the fast runners, who made up the ground lost by the wrong turn. The only problem was that it was not just one runners, it was two, then three, then four… damn, there goes my lead. Pace 7:18m/m.

Mile 5 – This miles zigzagged through a neighborhood just north of Fort Detrick. It was a pleasant break from the long stretch of road we were just on. About half way through the neighborhood Kimberly passed me.. After about another 0.25mile, a car slowly passed me, then approached Kimberly. The driver rolled down the window and said, “There is a strange man following you Kimberly” Damn did this gal know everyone. Took water at the water stop, stopped to drink. Pace: 7:14m/m

Mile 6 – After the half way point, I was feeling pretty good, so I decided to pass Kimberly. She seemed to be moving a bit slower, so I had no problem passing her. This mile took us past Frederick Community College and down Opossum Pike. Another long stretch. Pace: 7:06m/m

Mile 7 – This mile continued down Opossum Pike, but took a detour through a small subdivision. An in and out route, allowed me to see the lead runners exiting the subdivision as I entered… I was about 10 people back now. I was feeling good, so I picked up the pace. Took water at the water stop, stopped to drink. Also took my GU during this mile. Pace 6:58m/m

Mile 8 – This mile was back to Opossum Pike and it took us over MD15. This was the biggest hill in the race. I wanted to keep pace, so I shortened my stride and made my way up the hill. After passing the hill, Opossum becomes Motter, and we switched from the right side to the left side of the road. Pace: 7:02m/m

Mile 9 – The 9th mile travelled down Motter back toward the Y. As we reached Stanley Park, we took a left onto 10th and headed toward the Y. Right before the 9 mile mark, we took a sharp left, which was right next to the finish line, and headed toward our last mile. Did not stop at the water stop at mile 9. Pace 6:50m/m

Mile 10 – The worst part of the race was passing the finish line at mile 9. That really sucked. I knew I was doing well, so I really started to push. The last mile looped back to Market after about 0.5 miles. Once I got on Market, I could see the Y in the distance. I pushed. I could hear footsteps behind me. I pushed harder. The footsteps got closer. I could not push harder. A runner passed me about 100 feet from 10th, where we had to make a quick right. Pace 6:37m/m

Last 0.1 mile – I told the guy that passed me “Good Kick” and he said “You too” as we finished the last 0.1 mile. Pace: 5:35m/m

I crossed the finish line at 1:11:21, which is a 7:05m/m average pace. I gave the volunteers my bib number, picked up my finisher medal, and walked forward. The guy that passes me shook my hand and thanked me for pushing him so hard. I also thanked him, even though I wished I could have outkicked him. I then made my way into the shelter house (where my daughter had pre-school by the way) and got some bagels, water, and pretzels. On a side note, I had to drink the water from the drinking fountain since they only had milk, chocolate milk, soda and juice boxes to drink. I talked with the early finishers and found they want an additional 0.5miles before figuring out they needed to turn around.

Overall, I was really happy with my race. I had PRed for the 10-mile distance by just over a minute, and I finished 14th out of 300. However, I was 5th in my age group, with the guy who passed me at the last minute taking 4th. I also had a great negative split!!

I will do the race again next year… they course was good, the weather was perfect, and the volunteers were great!

Finish – 1:11:21 – PR!!
First 5 miles: 36:30
Last 5 miles: 34:51
14th/300 overall finishers
5th/47 – 45-49 age group