D.C. National Half Marathon: Race Recap
I set a new personal record at the D.C. National Half Marathon: 1:51:47! I am thrilled — that’s nearly 13 minutes faster than my first half marathon less than a year ago (2:04:03). I’m incredibly proud of myself and of my grad school friends who trained with me for this race.
We all did great. From left to right in the photo: me, Lauren, Jillian, Lauren, and Elle. The whole group brought excellent energy and support.
The race began early—7:00 a.m.—but logistics were smooth: no traffic or parking issues. It was cold outside, but the DC Armory was open for runners to warm up beforehand, which made a big difference. I even made a funny sign from my “HALF” bib to keep the mood light.
Before long it was time to line up. I was in Corral 3, which was a good spot—close enough to the front that we could start without too much weaving. I started the race alongside my friend Jillian, which helped me settle into a steady rhythm right away.
I knew early on this would be a strong race. My legs felt good, the temperature was much more forgiving than my first half marathon, and I enjoyed running through beautiful parts of Washington, D.C. I set an official goal to finish under two hours, but secretly aimed for under 1:55 after a strong practice half two weekends earlier. I was right to believe I could do it.
The course was fantastic and is now my favorite half marathon route. It wound through the monuments and neighborhoods like Dupont Circle, Adams Morgan, U Street, and Capitol Hill. I made a point to look around and enjoy the scenery, which helped keep my spirits high throughout the race.
Spectators were amazing—cheering, playing music, and holding signs that lifted everyone’s mood. I recognized a few familiar faces in the crowd, and the energy in parts of the course was electric. One of the funniest signs read: “You’re REALLY good at exercise!” which gave me a smile and an extra burst of motivation.
Splits and Pacing
- Mile 1: 8:32
- Mile 2: 8:19
- Mile 3: 8:07
- Mile 4: 8:44
- Mile 5: 8:46
- Mile 6: 8:31
- Mile 7: 9:02 (intense long hill in Dupont)
- Mile 8: 8:32
- Mile 9: 8:26
- Mile 10: 8:15
- Mile 11: 8:31
- Mile 12: 8:43
- Mile 13: 8:02
- Final 0.1: 7:04 pace
My average pace was 8:32. The race flew by and I managed to maintain a mostly steady pace. I was especially proud of my last mile at 8:02 and the sprint at the very end. When I realized the finish line was near, I told myself “one more mile—time to give it everything,” and I did.
The course had some hills—the Dupont hill was the steepest—but after training on hilly routes I felt prepared. I wore my Camelbak, which allowed me to skip crowded water stops and fuel when I needed to. I took half a Hammer Gel at mile 6.5 and the other half at mile 9, which helped sustain my energy.
Throughout the race I focused on staying positive—smiling at spectators, taking in the scenery, and reminding myself how well I had trained. Before I knew it, the finish line was in sight. I gave a full sprint and crossed with a huge smile, ecstatic to see my final time.
Finishing came with medals and those foil thermal capes that keep you warm—and yes, I loved the cape. The post-race routine was exactly what I needed: stretching, eating, and celebrating with my friends. I spent the rest of the morning savoring the accomplishment and later met up with a big group for a blogger and reader meet-up.
Huge thanks to Matt for waking up early, driving me to the race, cheering in the cold, and taking these photos. This race showed how effective solid training, targeted speed work, and favorable weather can be on race day. I’m still on cloud nine and already excited for the next challenge.
Thank you to everyone who sent encouragement and good luck wishes—they meant a lot. What an unforgettable morning!