CHERRY BLOSSOM 10-MILER:
a comeback story
The Cherry Blossom Ten Miler: DC’s most sought-after race bib. Chosen only through a lottery system, lucky runners get to experience a nearly flat course around DC’s iconic Cherry Blossom trees that encircle the Tidal Basin and West Potomac Park. Although peak bloom came early this year- this race is most often associated with the launching point for Spring in DC.
I always have my eyes focused on this race as it often falls on or around my birthday in early April. And this year, turning 40, I really wanted to give racing and running a chance again. But my lottery woes with this race continued, and I was not chosen. However, thanks to the generosity of NETC’s OG member, Matt Naugle, who graciously transferred his bib to me, I was in! That’s when reality kicked in. I had to give running a go again. I had not been able to run consistently since November 2021 - which was my last half marathon before my life was literally taken out from under me.
Chronic illness had taken over my life in late November 2021 following a terrible reaction to the COVID-19 booster shot. Plagued with massive fatigue, screaming headaches, heart palpitations and lymph node pain/swelling, running was off the books, indefinitely it seemed. Countless tests, doc appointments, blood work and scans later I still had no answers other than ‘rest.’ Running was completely off the table and strength workouts were scarce as fatigue continued to be the lingering symptom that just wouldn’t go away and often flatlined me for weeks at a time.
Fast forward to 2023 - after doubling down on my personal efforts and research to overcome this illness for 2 years, things slowly started to turn in my favor. I started to build back strength and then came back to playing volleyball. I secured a bib for Cherry Blossom and started to flirt with running again. And then WHAM! - I suffered a scary knee injury which sent me to the ER in Dec 2023. Sitting in the MRI machine - praying no surgery was needed - I focused on doing the mental math for my recovery. Could Cherry Blossom still be in the cards? MRI results said yes! I was head down into my own PT trying to get this knee ready to run. First run back was 1 total mile, 30sec run, 3min walk. It was the longest mile of my life. But I did it. And I continued to go further each time. My longest training run leading up to Cherry Blossom was 6.5 miles (I don’t recommend this!). But I was bound and determined to get these 10 miles in regardless of how long it took.
Race morning was electric. I was so out of practice for morning rituals: food, water, bathroom, pinning on my bib, what do I wear, checks weather a million times. “Do I need on course fuel? I don’t know - take it anyway!” Last piece of attire - “it’s my Birthday” sash - because why not. Walking down to the start was surreal. I couldn’t believe I was about to do this. I wasn’t nervous, I was apprehensive. Game plan was to start out super slow, run the first 5 easy and then run walk the rest as needed. I had no shame in having to walk. I had nothing to prove with my time. My goal was simple: completion. And for God’s sake enjoy yourself for once! My mantra was “party pace” - we are run/walk/waddling this shit in! Celebrate where you are, celebrate where you are going and celebrate turning 40 - hence the birthday sash. (Side note- want to get a ton of people excited to scream “Happy Birthday” to you on course?! Wear a birthday sash. It’s a ton of fun!)
The weather was damn near perfect Sunday morning. I clearly over dressed and had to stop to tie my jacket around my waist (rookie move). I was cruising through the miles no problem. Oddly at ease with the herd. Got to mile 5.5 - first glance at NETC’s cheer zone. And who do I spy? Sarah Truitt - camera in hand jumping up and down yelling for me. It was a confidence boost I needed entering Hains Point. I had not run on Hains Point in forever, but somehow it has not changed. Not that I was expecting it to, but it felt like I never left. Once I crested the turn at Hains and spotted the familiar “Oreos and Beer stop”- all the emotions started to hit. Holy shit - I’m doing this. Yes I am running and walking, but I’M DOING IT! Never once did I glance at my watch, berate myself for going slow, or have doubt. I was unusually calm and my mind was settled. It was like this was the missing piece of me lost 2 years ago. That void in my life was slowly filling in with the passing of each mile.
Then came the scream tunnel - where almost every run club in DC was perched just after mile 9 and the final turn toward the finish line. You could hear the noise bouncing off of the buildings in the Wharf District while coming down the final stretch of Hains point. This was it. Passing through DRC’s dance party is always fun. But next in line were my people, my athletes, my friends of Northeast Track Club. Earlier in the week I had joked that I was going to sneak behind the crowd around NETC because I was not sure I was ready for it. But as I got closer and saw the looks on their faces of how ecstatic they were to see me - I had to take it all in. It was arms outstretched, fully embraced hugs for everyone and high fives all around. And I could not have asked for a better celebration. To truly be celebrated by your people is amazing. The roles are usually reversed and I am the one losing my voice screaming for my athletes during the race. My life and career has always been about other people and their running goals and how I can make sure they get there. But today - in that moment - I was being celebrated. And damn it felt amazing!
No one cared about my pace or asked about my time. They truly only cared that I was back to running and I was happy. The happiness of just being able to run again was restored. The joy of LIFE was restored on that course and through the cheer zone of NETC.
A heartfelt ‘Thank You’ to everyone who has been by my side through it all. A special thanks to photographers Sarah Truitt and Sam Robbins (and the video from Nate Kinsey - see below) for capturing these special moments at the cheer zone. And to the members of NETC for trusting me as their “Doc Sarah.”
