My first race of any distance was the DC Road Runners’ National Capital 20 Miler. My marathon training was at the mercy of my friend Miles, and he suggested that running a 20-mile race a month before the Marine Corps Marathon would be a great way for me to gauge how prepared I was for the big day. As always, Miles was right.
Over the years, I’d run in several road races, but none farther than five miles. I had no idea how my body would respond to long mileage under race conditions. The National Capital 20 Miler gave me an opportunity to practice fueling and hydrating while on the run. Plus, Miles promised there would be pizza at the end of the race.
I ran that first of several National Capital 20 Milers in 1997. Bill’s parents lived near the start, so Daniel and I drove over the night before to spend the night with them. Daniel was only seven years old at the time, and was excited to tag along so he could get some one-on-one time with his grandparents. Little did he know that Grandma had a fun surprise in store for him!
I got up early the next morning, and in true dress-rehearsal form, had my bagel and banana before heading off to meet Miles and our other running buddies at Jones Point Park underneath the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. We picked up our race packets, put our long-sleeved cotton shirts in our cars, pinned on our race bibs, and got ready to run.
1997
Soon we would be running out of the park and down a beautiful twisty-turny, and at times hilly, path that ran to Mount Vernon between the Potomac River and the George Washington Parkway. Once at Mount Vernon, we turned around and headed back. The out-and-back course allowed for an opportunity to see and cheer on fellow runners, but made the path quite crowded at times.
Miles and I ran the whole race together, and early in the race we caught up with a super tall guy. I remember him so well because I actually had to look straight up to see his face when we passed him. Several minutes later we heard a loud thud behind us, and when we looked around, we saw the tall guy lying on the pavement. He had tripped on the curb as we crossed a side street. It was the first of many race casualties I would see over the years.
Miles and I stopped for water, and just after we started back up, we saw Daniel and Bill’s mom collecting water cups into large garbage bags. Daniel’s surprise from his grandma was that she took him to the race to watch me run, while volunteering! After quick hugs and kisses with my little buddy, Miles and I took off to finish our race.
Just before the finish line, a photographer caught me on a downward stride. Seriously, what does it take to get photographed in a longer race looking like you’re running fast? I was running hard to the finish line when this picture was taken, and probably running about a 7:45 pace. Notice that I hadn’t learned to put my hair in a ponytail yet! How on earth did I run with it flopping around like that? And what is that ridiculous expression on my face? Is it the look of determination, or a grimace?
1997
I finished that race in 1997 in 2:46:14 (8:18 pace), and guess what? The thought of eating pizza made me sick. Sorry, Miles!
In 1999 I encouraged my runners in the Worldgate Sport & Health Marathon Training Program (where I was the coach) to enter the National Capital 20-Miler. It had been a great race for gauging my training, and I wanted my runners to experience a longer race before their marathon as well. Miles joined us, and ran the first of many races and training runs with my team. Miles and I finished together in 2:57:59 (8:53 pace).
1999 shirt
My Worldgate Sport & Health team and I returned in 2000 to run the race. I ran a 2:55:33 (8:46 pace).
2000 shirt
In 2001, the National Capital 20-Miler was held just twelve days after our country was attacked, and a plane was flown into the Pentagon, just a few miles away from the start of the race. The shirt had a picture of the Pentagon on the front of it with the words, “Proud to be running in America.” over the image.
2001 shirt
In 2001, I took my camera with me, and had someone take a picture of our Worldgate team before the race. We had a lot of fun, and I finished in 2:57:32 (8:52 pace).
2001 Pre-Race
2001 Post-Race
2001 Deb and Bill
Bill with Deb Runs 4-Runner
2002 was the final year that I ran the National Capital 20 Miler. Again my Worldgate team joined me, as did Miles and his MilesRun team.
2002
One of the great things I loved about the race was that they had packet pick-up available on race morning. Since it was a relatively small race (about 600-700 runners), it was always very easy to park near by, pick up our packets, store our things in our car, and make it back to the race starting line in a timely fashion.
2002
Before the race, our team gathered in the parking lot for a quick team picture.
2002
Ready to race, Bill and I had someone take our picture before we set out to look for Miles and the rest of our Maryland friends who were waiting for us near the starting line.
2002
Miles and I ran the race together, and finished with a lap around the track. It was a hot and very humid day, and at some point Miles shed his shirt. We finished with our arms held high, and with a time of 3:11:21 (9:34 pace).
2002
After the race, we got together for a quick picture before we headed our separate ways. This picture was later used by Worldgate Sport & Health to advertise my marathon training program. They made it into a large poster, and after we no longer needed it at the gym, I gave it to Miles, along with the story about how several women at the gym had asked me to introduce them to the guy in the back row who wasn’t wearing a shirt!
2002
It’s been over ten years since I’ve run this race, but at the time it was a race that I recommended to my friends. DCRRCA puts on great events, so I can only imagine that the race has gotten better over the years.
- Questions:
- Have you ever run a DCRRCA race?
- Do you like pizza after a race?
- Who raced this weekend?
Great recap through the years! It was fun looking at your pictures from each year. I’ve never run a DCRRCA, I should give their events a try! This past weekend I ran the PRR Perfect 10(K).
Jennifer recently posted…NYC Marathon Training 9/22-9/28 – Week 15
Thanks, Jennifer! It’s fun putting these throwback recaps together, and taking a walk down memory lane in the process.
Debbie,
It was so much fun reading about the National Capital 20 miler. What a great memory you have and what I remember as being a tough run with the heat and humidity after reading your blog it didn’t seem so had. Thanks for the memories. At the time, that was one of my favorite runs. Probably because I ran it with you.
Miles, it’s funny what vivid memories I have of my first National Capital 20-Miler, but don’t have such detailed memories of subsequent ones. We did have some fun times running a bunch of races together, didn’t we?
Just heard about this race for the first time this year. So great that you have been running it for so long
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Meatless Monday- “Squiche” w sundried tomatoes & spinach
I have a lot of fun memories from that race. If it fits in your schedule next year, you might want to give it a try.
I would love to run that some time. 20-milers are a rare distance but a great one.
Love the vintage shots, as always!
misszippy1 recently posted…Outhealthing health
You should definitely add it to your local race bucket list.
I would LOVE to do a 20 mile race. Or 18. Somewhere that fits in between a half and a full marathon so I can push the pace for longer than 13 miles but not enough to hit the wall.
Mexican is my go-to post-race food, but usually after I get home and shower and nap. And I did race this weekend! Details coming soon….
Amy recently posted…Thank You, Bear Chase!
You know, I’d never really thought about it being a unique distance for a race, but you’re right. I don’t know of any other 20-milers, around here at least.
Miles was very smart to have you run a longer race as a sort of dress rehearsal before your first marathon! It would have been a big jump to go from 5 mile races to the MCM. As far as I know, I’ve never run a DCRRCA race. But race organization can really make or break a race, so it’s good to hear they do a good job!
I wonder how big the National Capital 20 Miler as gotten now. If you felt it was crowded on the out and back course in 1997, it would surprise me if they have been able to grow the race while keeping the same out and back course.
Meagan recently posted…Marine Corps Marathon Training – Week 14
I just checked and the National Capital 20 Miler has moved to the C&O Canal tow path. In fact it runs along the section I just ran on my Ragnar final leg. I couldn’t find the complete race results from this year’s race, so I don’t know how many people run it these days.
I love your vintage race recaps! It was a long summer without them 🙂
Kim Westrich recently posted…I Beat my Husband in a Race*
Thanks, Kim! I’m glad your enjoy them. I only have one throwback recap left to write, the 2002 Rock ‘N’ Roll Half Marathon. I can’t believe that I completely forgot to write it on Labor Day weekend, the weekend of the race.
I haven’t done one of their races, no. And I don’t care for pizza after a race, I like a nice big omelet!
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes recently posted…Foodie Pen Pals
One of the trail races I ran last spring had little rolled up cheese omelets after the race, and they hit the spot! They also had pizza, but the only time I remember ever having a slice of pizza after a race, was at the Richmond Marathon. Perhaps there’s a correlation, since that was my last marathon! 😉