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This past Saturday was the Charles Street 12 Miler or as it's affectionately dubbed now, Chuck 12.  I have run it the past two years since it was created (2014 and 2013 recaps) and it's always a fun race to kick off the fall race season.
Yes, I rocked this awesome shirt from Charm City Run during the race!
Despite it being advertised as downhill (the keyword is net), it has a bunch of rolling hills through the course which mostly follows historic Charles Street from Baltimore County to downtown in Baltimore City. It's a really nice route that is unique for races in the city.
I picked up my race packet the Thursday before and grabbed my super nice Under Armour pullover premium which is a blueish green lightweight sweatshirt.  The B3 Challenge premium for women ended up being a maroon Under Armour bag. It's not as nice as the backpack from last year but it's better than another race shirt.
The start seemed less crazy crowded than last year but maybe I had just found a good spot near the 1:35 pacer. My legs were feeling a little tight & stiff, but I didn't really stretch out before the race which is bad. I also was taking a self-timer selfie and experienced an attempted photobomb by my fellow Gundalow ambassador lady Jami (who had an awesome race!). This photo is all that was left.
The weather on race morning was cooler than it had been, around 70 degrees but with ~80% humidity. Ugh the humidity is my running nemesis.  As the race went on I was really grateful for all the cloud cover and intermittent breezes of course.
The first 5 miles in Towson were a bit of a blur. My legs were feeling a little heavy and the rolling hills didn't help that.  After running it the past two years I am well aware that it is a (keyword) net downhill race. There were plenty of manned water stops in the first half of the race which is always nice.
That elevation profile though. (source)
I also was having a really hard time with my Nathan waistpack. It was so freaking annoying especially because I know I didn't really need to carry water but wanted to simulate the marathon in this pace race. After trying a few different hydrations options other than the fuelbelt this trianing cycle, I settled on the waistpack. Today however, I could not get it into a comfortable position and had to keep fidgeting with it and pushing it down to a tight spot above my hips. It was really distracting and frustrating.
I also was getting really antsy because lots of my friends and November Project people were running a fast race. I ran a few miles a bit faster than I wanted but was proud of myself for reigning it in and sticking to my marathon training race pace. Holding yourself back and allowing yourself to be passed is a humble quality to have as a runner!
Once we got into the city I was a lot more comfortable, mostly because I run in the city all the time.  Once you hit Mt. Vernon around miles 9-10, my stomping grounds ,there is a few more hills and a big downhill which I saw some people struggling. After the fast downhill you head into Federal Hill for a little roundabout before coming along the Inner Harbor towards PowerPlant for the last couple of miles.
At this point I smiled for the camera a bunch and was happy to be almost done the race. I had a lot harder of a time keeping a steady pace, unlike last year, so I was feeling discouraged about the possibility of trying to run around 8:00 minute miles for a whole marathon.  I picked up the pace a bunch that last mile and felt great finishing. I even managed to say hi to Lauren at the finish, who had a great race as well.
As always Charm City Run keeps trying to make this race better and better.  I do wish they would move the race back to late August because Labor Day weekend was too late and too busy for many people in my opinion.
The only race hiccup I had this year was my results didn't track with my bib. I couldn't find my results posted after the race and then didn't see them on the website when I got home. At first I thought maybe my bib just got really messed up from my waistpack rubbing against it and causing it to look crappy, but apparently some others had problems as well. My Garmin said I finished around 1:33, but apparently they had a backup system and gave me my official time, even though I still didn't see it online.
My official time was 1:32:55, around a 7:45 pace which is about a minute faster than last year.
You can check out the course preview here and should definitely be on the look out to run this great Baltimore race.
Have you ever had a timing chip malfunction? Do you like breakfast or lunch foods after a race?
This post was linked up with Wild Workout Wednesdays, The Fit Dish, and Tuesdays on the Run.
Labels: Baltimore, Charm City Run, race, race recap, running
Fairytales and Fitness9/15/15, 11:36 PM
Congratulations on your race. I can't imagine running a few miles before the race started. Looks like that race offered great swag!
Breathe Deeply and Smile9/24/15, 10:25 PM
Thanks so much! They always have some cool swag (part of the reason I sign up!)
Lisa @ Running Out Of Wine9/16/15, 5:28 AM
Awesome job! I thought you finished within a minute or so of me but didn't see you on the race results! Thats annoying but I am glad they worked it out for you. I thought the weather was worse this year than last year, so I am so impressed by all of you who PRd the course!
Breathe Deeply and Smile9/24/15, 10:27 PM
That's weird-I was on the lookout for people I knew on the course too! Ugh the cloudiness was nice but the humidity, not so much.
You go girl! Congrats! Breakfast foods ALWAYS after a race.
Breathe Deeply and Smile9/24/15, 10:27 PM
Thanks, and yes to all the breakfast food!
Congratulations! Looks like a very fun race and a very unique race distance - I've never heard of a 12 miler. Love the medal as well!
Breathe Deeply and Smile9/24/15, 10:29 PM
Thanks! It's cool to have a different distance but part of me just wants to run the extra 1.1 and make it a half marathon lol
So we were super close to each other out there from the looks of it! I was 1:32:28 (if I remember correctly?). I started just in front of the 1:35 pacers and when they caught me at mile 1, I went into overdrive, making mile two a flat 7! What an idiot move! I slowed myself down from there and just ran whatever my body needed to run w/o looking at my watch again until the final mile or so. I have to say--I loved this course! I want to run it again next year for sure.
Breathe Deeply and Smile9/24/15, 10:31 PM
That's crazy, haha. I was trying to spot people but also was focusing on running too. I love this race and will be back next year for sure!
Sarah @pickyrunner9/16/15, 10:00 AM
Great job!! I really wanted to hold back but then I felt like seeing how I could do. I did do a much better job than I have in past races holding back a little in the early miles (not marathon pace, but slower than my overall average). I love CCR races. But I agree that they need to move it back to August.
Breathe Deeply and Smile9/24/15, 10:33 PM
Pssh yeah speedy. And yes, no more labor day weekend racing.
Great job! Man, you are FAST! ANY food usually makes me happy after a race! I'm so freakin' slow that sometimes there isn't much food to speak of!
Breathe Deeply and Smile9/24/15, 10:33 PM
Aw, thanks! Haha, I agree that ANY food is good after a run!
Nicole @ Fitful Focus9/16/15, 2:03 PM
That's an awesome pace! Congrats! And totally for breakfast over lunch!
Breathe Deeply and Smile9/24/15, 10:33 PM
Thanks so much-yay for Team Breakfast.
Amy W9/16/15, 2:10 PM
Great race and finish time! Breakfast ALWAYS over lunch :) That race shirt is really cute!
Breathe Deeply and Smile9/24/15, 10:34 PM
Thanks for reading! Breakfast all the way!
Congrats girl! 12 miles..That's awesome! I use to be a competitive runner for Univ. of FL, but since stopping, I haven't run much at all! And YESSS to #sweettoothforlife! cookie first ALWAYS :)
GiGi Eats Celebrities9/16/15, 7:58 PM
LOL! I love that you ran before the race!
Breathe Deeply and Smile9/24/15, 10:34 PM
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets9/16/15, 9:27 PM
Congrats Lauren!! Even with your hiccups you had an awesome race! I've never run a 12 miler, seems like a fun distance. And darn that humidity...that had to be so rough!
Breathe Deeply and Smile9/24/15, 10:35 PM
Thanks so much! 12 miles is fun but part of me wishes it was just a half marathon since it's so close.
Nice finish speedy! I never want anything to eat right after a race. Later? That's a different story :)
Breathe Deeply and Smile9/24/15, 10:34 PM
Sometimes I feel like that after a run, usually more if it's a hot day.
That's so strange that your chip didn't register, glad they had a backup! My hiccup for the 1/2 I just ran was that the race was short....like what the heck?! Great job though, you rocked it!! LOVE your swag bag too!!!
Breathe Deeply and Smile9/24/15, 10:35 PM
I know! It's just frustrating and never happened before!
Great job! I loved going on the race with you - you are so lighthearted about it...as if it's no biggie. Haha....great work speed demon. That's my PR pace, and the finish was not pretty. lol. I too have an under armor I wear for running, and I love it. It's lasted so long, and it's a lifesaver in the cold. Good job reigning in the pace when you needed to - seriously, PROPS. That IS hard. Sorry my site was down for The Fit Dish this week. Luckily, the tech issues have been sorted out, and I am back. YAY! Take care #fitfamlove
Breathe Deeply and Smile9/24/15, 10:36 PM
Thank you so much for reading along and enjoying the ride! I love Under Armour products-they are fabulous. Glad your site is back up :)
Jennifer @ Run Jenny Run9/17/15, 2:19 PM
Congrats! I really liked the pullover premium (something different and not like BRF shirts). Now I know what you guys meant as net downhill. I am feeling the same way about my waist belt, it has been bothering me the past couple of races. I think b/c I've been listening to music from my phone (during Chicago I'll bring an iPod mini) so the cord is kind of stretched.
Breathe Deeply and Smile9/24/15, 10:37 PM
I agree-I appreciate the pullover especially with fall arriving now! Ugh yeah my phone bothers me so I have an ipod shuffle from years ago that is my trusty running DJ!
Kim at Running on the Fly9/17/15, 10:25 PM
Great recap! And I'm with you on waist belts......I don't know if it's just my "hour glass figure" or what, but nothing ever stays down on my hips...everything I've ever tried rides up to my natural waist (and usually bounces while en route). I have just conceded the battle, and usually put it under my shirt, already at my waist so I don't have to feel it inching its way there while I'm running.
Breathe Deeply and Smile9/24/15, 10:37 PM
I think I just don't like it at my waist and want it to stay at my hips, but it never does. Sometimes it's okay and other times I want to rip it off lol
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes9/18/15, 8:09 PM
Awesome job! I told Salt and Lisa that I really need to come up there and do this race next year!! Awesome post race food too, that's a huge plus!
Breathe Deeply and Smile9/24/15, 10:37 PM
Yes, please do! We can all meet-up afterwards!
Lisa Chau3/31/16, 10:09 PM
Congratz !! Keep it up
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Breathe Deeply and Smile
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I believe in running happy, dreaming big, enjoying life, and never passing up dessert.
I'm a: Charm City runner. Occupational Therapist. Foodie. Science nerd. Sweet tooth. Panda lover. Hippie at heart. Beer & whiskey enthusiast. Health & Fitness nut.
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