Packet pickup was at the DC Convention Center. I drove up to DC on Saturday with plenty of time to pickup my number and get back to my hotel in Crystal City – or so I thought. You see, Jon Stewart and his Comedy Central show planned a rally to clog up DC (or Restore Sanity) for that same day. I heard the radio explaining how crowded Metro was and I decided to check in early then drive into DC to avoid the crowds. For some reason, I used the GPS – now, I worked in DC for about six years and commuted through town every day. I know how to get around, but foolish me, I drove right into utter chaos and grid-lock. With so many people trying to walk across streets, the traffic couldn’t get through. I had to laugh at the people honking – like someone would wake up and say “oh, thanks, I didn’t realize the light was green … I’ll just go ahead and run over these pedestrians…”
What should have been an hour trip took closer to two and a half hours – I still had plenty of time to get checked in and make it to dinner. However, the hotel wasn’t quite ready for me. They kindly offered free parking and a free breakfast, but were surprised when I said I’d be leaving before 5:30 AM. I stayed at the Radisson in Crystal City – they made a nice recovery by offering showers for returning marathon runners on Sunday. I just wanted a shower before heading home, so that worked out fine.
I met up with friends Bob Kees and Owen Smith (plus Owen’s wife and two adorably boys) from Richmond for dinner the night before. Owen and Bob volunteered to give me the low down on the event. They were returning for the second year in a row. They gave great advice about the crowds at the start and not to try weaving because they are endless. They also suggested the left lane (closer to the woods for a last minute pit stop).
Crystal City is home to many office buildings and parking garages. They use it for a shuttle to the starting line, so I just walked two blocks and waited in line. Eventually, a short bus ride to the runners’ village. After a 15 minute walk, we went through security and then I headed to bag drop. I thought it was around 6 when we arrived, but it was closer to 7 and now it was almost 7:30. I didn’t have much time and headed up to the start line. Bob & Owen’s advice paid off – the port-o-john lines on the left lane were only 2 people deep – I took advantage. Beautiful fly over by some F-18s and Sea Stallion Helos. A very patriotic Star Spangled Banner and we started. The run up through Rosslyn included some hills that continued until we hit the turn around. We came back through Georgetown to a huge crowd to get you all pumped up. The trip out of G’town was pretty packed. I had a faster pace than I wanted, but I felt really good. I almost went @#!*% over tea kettle in a pot hole because I couldn’t look down and avoid running into people. The course was almost constantly packed with people. We headed out towards Haines Point and the crowds of spectators and runners really thinned out. I was feeling the effects of the pace, not bad, but I knew I’d need to slow down eventually. I was really looking forward to running along the mall and it was great, especially when we got to the Capitol. There were more photographers in that small area than most races have in total. They were getting plenty of great shots with the Capitol Building behind us – very cool. After coming off the mall, I got to run on those streets I had been stuck on the day before – it was nice to control the pace, but I knew the bridge was just up ahead. I hit the last water stop, but did not refill my bottles which were nearly empty. The 14th street bridge is longer than it looks and there is just no place for water. I got over to Virginia before actually walking, but I really needed a breather. I picked up the pace before coming off the highway and seeing people. I ran through about half of Crystal City, but then stopped to take my last GU and reset my pace. The crowds were awesome. I ran leaving Crystal City with a run walk as we passed the Pentagon. I got cramps in my glutes, my calves, my hamstrings, and my quads – in sort of rotating @#!*% . None lasted very long, but I knew I was pushing near the edge. When I saw the final hill, I decided to run it and figured I might fall down with cramps, but I was close to my goal time, so what the @#!*% ? I got one brief cramp as I turned the corner, but overall, I was fine. I finished with a bright smile.
My goal for the day was 3:55 – I wanted to be able to move into the C corral for Chicago in 2011 – I finished at 3:54:50. I was beaming in Rosslyn after the cattle drive to get out of the finisher area. Again, MCM is very big – lots of runners, but LOTS more supporters.
I hopped on a bus (no line) and the Marine got on behind me to say – “you’re full, head out” – nice timing.
Marine Corps Marathon
Time: 3:54:50
Course: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/55070562
Participant (Mock Turtleneck) Shirt & Finisher's Medal
Finisher's Medal (my new favorite):
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