The Conquer the Bridge 5.3-mile race continues to be one of my favorite races. This was my fourth time running it, and my third fastest time. I knew I was in better shape than the day before, but my body just wasn’t feeling it. Some days, you wake up like that.
Before running three years ago, I did some research and found that the Benjamin Franklin Bridge in Philadelphia is 135 feet, whereas the Vincent Thomas Bridge in San Pedro is 180 feet. The Bay Bridge in Annapolis is 190 feet, and the Jordan Bridge in Norfolk is 144 feet. So yes, the Vincent Thomas Bridge is tall!
Before the Conquer the Bridge:
We headed down around 1 p.m., picked up our packets, ate an early dinner, and went to bed early. Over the holiday weekend, I really tried to focus on my sleep because I’ve been so tired lately. It was a very uneventful evening. The morning came early, and I woke up at 4:30 a.m. The Conquer the Bridge race starts at 7 a.m.
We arrived at the race around 5:50 am to secure a decent parking spot. I warmed up a couple of miles, but I didn’t feel good. I could tell it was going to be one of those days when my body just wasn’t cooperating.
Conquer the Bridge Race:
The Conquer the Bridge race started just after 7 a.m. When we began, I was shocked by how fast people were running. I kept telling myself: “A lot happens on the bridge, and you can pass them.” I took the first mile out in 6:54, my fastest since the first year. Most of the first mile is flat before it starts to go over the bridge.
The second mile is half uphill on the Vincent Thomas Bridge and half downhill. I ran a 7:11, but my legs didn’t feel good. I wasn’t excited for the fourth mile, which is almost entirely uphill.
I tried to push through the next mile downhill and around the turnaround. After going down the Vincent Thomas Bridge, there’s a small incline just before the turnaround. I could see the leaders turning and counted that I was about the 11th or 12th woman. That can be disappointing, especially since I was third last year, but you just never know who will show up!
Anyway, we headed back up the Vincent Thomas Bridge for the next mile. I ran an 8:13, and this is where I lost the most time—about 30 seconds slower than most years. Looking back, I never found the bridge as challenging as I usually do, and I likely just didn’t push it. Darn. My legs didn’t have their usual race day pop (similar to Conquer the Pier…maybe I should stop conquering things). I did pass two women on the bridge.
After that, it was time to cruise downhill. I picked up speed and ran a 6:27 on the descent. From there, I focused on the finish line. Once you get off the Vincent Thomas Bridge, you have about three-quarters of a mile to go, but it feels like it never ends. You can see the finish line from over half a mile away. I saw my husband and just kept pushing, feeling like I had nothing left in the tank. He said my tangent running was terrible, but I only ran 5.33 versus 5.3.
I crossed the finish line in 37:58 and finished as the ninth woman overall.
Conquer the Bridge Thoughts:
I am disappointed with how my race went, but I also understand that I wasn’t feeling my best that day. It stinks when it happens, especially on race day, but when you race often, it can’t always be your day. I’m happy to have run a 7:07 average up the bridge on a challenging day.
You can see Strava here and more race recaps here.
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Questions for you:
Do you enjoy bridge runs?
What is your favorite race?