June 28, 2016

Baltimore Women's Classic 5K Race Recap 2016

I've run the Baltimore Women's Classic 5K the past 3 years including being a volunteer training coach last year.  It's the largest mid-Atlantic all-women's 5K which has become an annual race for me because of how much of a fun ladies event it is as well as the fact that it benefits Cancerve which provides support to female cancer patients in Maryland.  It is also a beautiful event right in Baltimore's Inner Harbor which makes it great for post-race fun. 

Baltimore Women's Classic 5K Race Recap 2016

Pre-race: 

Unfortunately Friday afternoon I was struck with a head cold so I wasn't feeling well and woke up with just enough time to get down to Rash Field Saturday morning June 26,2016  and make it in the Charm City Run BWC training group photo.  It was fabulous seeing Rash Field filled with women and their families.This year CCR had all of the vendors under tents on the middle of the field, which I liked a lot better.

baltimore-womens-classic-5K-2016-Rash-Field

I saw some of my training group ladies at the training tent and dropped off my bag before heading to the start.  It was a warm, sunny morning. All of us Patterson Park training group ladies had yellow ribbons on which was a really fun touch! I lined up right in the front at the start on Key Highway in front of Federal Hill  because there wasn't many people sub-8 min miles. Thanks to the head cold and really feeling knocked out Friday night I wasn't sure how the race would go and was going to try to stick around 7 min/miles but definitely feel it out. 

charm-city-run-bwc-5K-2016-start
Me in the chevron skirt!(Photo courtesy of Charm City Run)

Race: 

Mile 1 of a 5K always flies by for me, and this one was no different. Some ladies running for Falls Road Running were flying so I tried to just stay strong and consistent on my pace. I told myself to settle in through Mile 2 and then pick it up for the last mile if I felt good. It was great seeing some November Project friends at a water stop as well as having some fellow coaches and friends cheer for me as I passed by Federal Hill for the 2nd time. I ended up finishing really strong-I love the finish that comes along the promenade. It's pretty plus it's a stretch I run all the time.   5Ks go by so fast that there isn't much to report. For me it's always about trying to pace myself plus mentally get through the pain that comes with pushing myself to run fast. 

I ended up coming 3rd in my age group, 10th overall in 21:00, which is a minute faster than last year! 

bwc-5k-2016-finish-inner-harbor

After getting my medal, cold towel, and red rose at the finish, I quickly ran up towards Key Highway so I could cheer on my training group ladies. I was glad to be able to see a bunch of them and cheer them on as they entered the final stretch of the race.  


I missed out on the watermelon but grabbed a banana and some water after seeing the last of my ladies go by.  I hopped over to the training tent to chat with some of my training group runners after wards and grabbed a little mini bagel. The training tent had food and freeze-pops (GREAT idea!), but it was hard to keep out non-training group people from coming in!  

Really this race for me was all about supporting and celebrating with my training group. It was awesome to hear how great everyone did in the race and hear the thanks the ladies had for the group and coaches. It fills my heart with so much gratitude to see ladies I've helped train and seen grow stronger in 8 weeks, crossing the finish line and reaching their goals.  Yup, I could gush about coaching longer, but I'll put a cork in it. 

Shout-out to Charm City Run for doing a great job with the training groups and the race! 

Overall: 

As I've said previously, I think that the BWC 5K is a great, well-organized 
 event that all Baltimore female runners should support. The race keeps all of the details with ladies in mind and always has a nice medal and finish area.

bwc-5k-2016-medal-shirt
New Balance race tech tee and 2016 medal
What is one of your favorite hometown races? Do you like running 5Ks?

4 comments:

  1. So bummed I missed this! It's supposed to be such a great race. Maybe I'll have to travel to Baltimore for it one year and make it a destination race. Congrats on such a speedy time!!

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  2. that start line picture is so cool! and congrats on 21 flat!! Thats super fast :)!

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