The first of four recaps – woo hoo! About a month ago (Chicago Marathon Training – Week 8 to be exact) I ran my first evening race with Kathryn, Courtney, Emily, and Prianka in Crystal City, Virginia. We were also celebrating Kathryn’s birthday! What a fun idea…I’ll have to think of something similar for March š
Image: Pacer’s Running
Packet Pickup
The Crystal City Twilighter 5K is put on by our favorite local running store, Pacers! Similar to their other races, they offered early packet pickup at one of their storefronts (Clarendon location for this race) and same day pickup. You all know me… I picked the latter. I arrived in Crystal City around 6:45PM and parked (for free) in one of their garages. Packet pickup was super easy (it was located outside)
We received a gender specific technical tee and a glowstick (I think if you asked..you could get another one).
Since the race started at 8:30PM I dropped my shirt off at my car and went to Subway to grab a snack before the race. I wasn’t too hungry so I bought a water and apples. I also took advantage of the indoor bathrooms too!
Race Goals (āAā least probable and āCā most probable)
Earlier in the morning I had a 12 mile long run, so I knew aiming for a PR or season PR would not be plausible on tired legs. Because this course was very similar to the Crystal City Friday 5Ks I ran in April, I picked a few non time based goals that I wanted to work:
- Run the tangents (I was always long by a tenth of a mile in April)
- Run the entire “hill” after mile 2
- Do not go out too fast
Crystal City Twilighter 5K
After one last bathroom stop I went outside and took a few pictures in front of the start/finish area. I ended up fashioning the glowstick as a headband.
I found Kathryn and Emily – they were easy to spot since they were in their singlets. A few minutes later Prianka and Courtney joined us and we decided to go for a quick warm up run/jog before the race. The Crystal City Twilighter 5K course was almost identical to the Crystal City Friday 5K course (recaps below)
The only difference was the start. Instead of lining up in the circle, we started along Crystal City Drive. I liked that much better, it felt roomier and straight lines are more fun, right? Note: I did not run races #3 and #4.
- Mile 1: 11:15 slow down Jennifer (initially sees 9:XX as the pace)..good job
- Mile 2: 11:07 negative splits yay….so tired. There was a water stop right after mile 2. I usually grab a cup from the last person at the water stop so I could maximize my running time. I got to the last volunteer, but the runner ahead of me grabbed two cups for herself, taking the cup I was going to drink. Since I was still running it would have required more effort to turn around, so I said “hey I didn’t get any water”. The runner looked at me and gave me the second cup of water.
- Mile 3: 11:25 woo hoo no side cramps!
The finish was tough as I ran the entire “hill” back towards the finish. It really wasn’t a bad hill, but on tired legs it felt like it. I passed an older lady wearing a white blouse and yellow trousers – she looked great and didn’t look like she was breaking a sweat! Me…I was sweating buckets!! I finished with a time of 34:58 or 11:15 min/mile. I grabbed a water and some pretzels and found the girls for a group picture.
Final Thoughts
Overall it was a fun race – I liked seeing all the glowsticks bobbing along the course. The temperature is always a bit cooler in the evening (although still humid) and I would definitely run another evening race. My mom has been asking me about the Rock and Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon – which begins in the afternoon / ends in the evening….perhaps that is in my future.
- Nice fun run to participate with friends and family.
- The course is not too challenging with a slight incline (my hill) at the end.
- I think the Crystal City Drive start helped with me running the tangents. I think my Garmin clocked 3.12 at the end.
- Convenient packet pickup – race day for the win!
- Free garage parking and metro accessible.
- Plenty of indoor bathrooms (there were also plenty of porta potties).
- Pacers provided free pictures, which is always a nice perk.
- There were several high school runners participating as a tune up for cross country season.
- Close to restaurants and bars for post 5K eats/drinks. We ended up going to Good Stuff Eatery…yum!
- Metro accessible.
More recaps to come this week!
Do you have an evening race you would recommend?
Have you participated or organized a run for a birthday/bachelorette/other?
Amy Lauren
September 2, 2015Looks like a great race with the gender-specific shirt and the glowstick! Plus it looks like you had a lot of fun with your friends running it. Free pictures and free parking are a big plus too, definitely worth the entry fees. Love how you guys have so many fun races up in DC š
Amy Lauren recently posted…Race for the ARK (21:55)
Run Jenny Run
September 7, 2015It was definitely a more laid back atmosphere for this race. Hopefully next time you are in DC there will be a 5K that you can join us.
Kathryn Gilbert
September 2, 2015Love the recap! And loved that all of you came out to run with me!! š
Kathryn Gilbert recently posted…Friday Five! Summer’s Coming to an End!
Run Jenny Run
September 7, 2015It was so fun! Hope you are having a great time in SF.
Chaitali
September 2, 2015Looks like a great race! As far as nighttime races, I really like the Rockville Twilight 8k. The only downside is that it’s in July so it can be hot and humid. Of course, I associate it with tapas and sangria afterward so that may be part of why I’m such a fan š
Chaitali recently posted…Wine and Dine Half Marathon Training – week 8
Run Jenny Run
September 7, 2015That race is def on my list for next year – tapas/sangria yum!
Michelle @ Running with Attitude
September 2, 2015Sounds like a fun race! The glow sticks are a fun idea! I haven’t done too many evenings races but I will be running RnR Vegas this year – can’t wait!
Michelle @ Running with Attitude recently posted…September Simplicity
Run Jenny Run
September 7, 2015Nice! Seems like several people “I know” will be running it. Looking fwd to reading about it.
Jennifer @ Running on Lentils
September 2, 2015I cannot imagine running a race that starts at 8:30. That’s my bedtime! I honestly don’t think I could do it, though I love the idea of it, especially in Vegas. Great job & cute pic!
Jennifer @ Running on Lentils recently posted…Goals Update for September
Run Jenny Run
September 7, 2015Haha.. I was tired after that race! š
Pam and Christine
September 2, 2015Nighttime races can be fun and the glow sticks were a great idea. So glad you were able to meet up with your running pals too. I have only run a few night races, and I while I enjoy the experience, my race expectations are not very high other than to have fun!
Pam and Christine recently posted…Rock ‘n Roll Virginia Beach- T minus 4 days
Run Jenny Run
September 7, 2015It was definitely a run environment to run in and nice to be familiar with the course.
Sharon
September 2, 2015Great recap! Sounds like a fun nighttime race! Love that you used the glowstick as a headband! I’m thinking about doing RnR Vegas sometime in the future too! Maybe I will see you there!
Sharon recently posted…#7daystretch #liveinprAna Challenge Wrap Up
Run Jenny Run
September 7, 2015That would be fun! Will let you know if my travel plans take me out west next year š
Coco
September 2, 2015That picture is so great! I know what you mean about the hill – every incline counts at the end of a race.
Coco recently posted…Fitting In Fitness Between Flights
Run Jenny Run
September 7, 2015Thanks, Coco!
courtney @ eat pray run dc
September 2, 2015yay – loved this! it was humid that evening but such fun to hang with you gals!
courtney @ eat pray run dc recently posted…What to Look for in a Running Coach
Run Jenny Run
September 7, 2015Agreed! I’ve been craving a milkshake ever since that night! Smart move to get one š
Kelli
September 2, 2015Congrats on the race! Night races are fun š
Kelli recently posted…Woman Crush Wednesday – Sarah Talley
Run Jenny Run
September 7, 2015It was! There is one by my parents house that I am eyeing for next year.
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running
September 3, 2015Glowsticks sound like a GREAT piece of race swag! So creative for a twilight race!
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Virginia Beach, Here I Come!
Run Jenny Run
September 7, 2015It was a nice surprise! Luckily it didn’t bother me too much while I was running.
Jennifer @ The Final Forty
September 4, 2015Love your photos, and the shirt is really cute! Plus, who doesn’t love glowsticks, haha. š I always struggle more in night races, for some reason!
Jennifer @ The Final Forty recently posted…NYCM Training: Weeks 5 and 6
Run Jenny Run
September 7, 2015I know I didn’t fuel properly (I should have eaten something of more substance late afternoon), but good thing it was a 5K š
Abby @ BackAtSquareZero
September 4, 2015Awesome job tackling that hill at the end.
Abby @ BackAtSquareZero recently posted…How to Host An Instagram Giveaway
Run Jenny Run
September 7, 2015Thanks, friend!
Tracy
September 18, 2015Oh my gosh I would love to run a race that starts that late! I’ve run a 5k that started at 5:30, which was still really nice since it was in October, but even later would be fine with me š This looks so fun, love the glow stick!
Tracy recently posted…The Words Just Come and I Write Them As Soon As I See ‘Em
Run Jenny Run
September 21, 2015It was definitely nice to run in “cooler” temps since it was so hot then. The only con to starting late…that is close to my bed time š