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What's up everybody? Ben and I'm back with a Marine Corp Marathon wrap up and a little of what else is happening. I did make my Team in Training goal, but I don't think I will ever do that again. I loved working with the team and the training plan, that I didn't follow the whole time, was great but I'm not a fundraiser. I hate asking people for anything so I'm really not the fundraising type. I will give to causes I believe in don't get me wrong, I just will not do something like this again.
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| bib pick up |
I rode up from Richmond to DC with some friends the Saturday before Marine Corp and we stayed at the Gaylord where the expo was held. I have to say, this was one of the biggest expos I've ever been to in my life. There were clothes, shoe, and every other type of vendor you can imagine. The line to get your bib and shirt were very smooth and I had no trouble getting through. After that you went into the Brooks area where they had race swag and other items for sale. The rest of the expo floor was the usual vendors and race companies. I talked with the Altra reps, I love their trail shoes and the Hoka reps, I just switched over to their road shoes. After walking around for a bit I went outside to where an old Air Force One was located that you could walk around and take photos, pretty cool. I also got to meet up with Diz Runs, the famous podcaster. I was on an early episode of his podcast talking about being a race pacer and it was awesome to finally meet him and other 'Diz Runners' in person. We hung out for a bit and chatted and took some photos.
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| Met @dizruns |
Sunday morning came early and with drizzle, and warm temps. We got dressed and the couple I was with gave me an extra poncho they brought and we headed down to the bus to get to the start. There's so many runners, the start takes up four lanes of road to get everyone out on the course. And right on time the Howitzer sounded off and the race was underway. We started just North of the Pentagon and went around Arlington Cemetery before winding uphill the across the bridge. And then the rain started. I've run in the rain before, but his was a good steady downpour that went on and off for awhile. The street crossing were like creeks there was so much water, but we kept pushing on along the river and down the Blue Mile. This part of the course is lined with photos of fallen Marines and friends and family are there after ward thanking you and pushing you onward. We went through the National Mall turned in front of the Capitol then down to the 14th St bridge and across to Crystal City. THis wasthe final turnaround and you go back past the Pentagon and finish near the Marine Corp Monument.
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| wet start |
As far as races go, The course is great, uphill in the first few miles then flat for the most part. The scenery is amazing, and the crowd support is awesome, I've never ran a race with that many people out cheering you on. Team in Training had several cheer spots and I could hear them shouting encouragement as I went by. The weather went went from warm and rainy to hot and humid in a matter of hours, but that's Virginia for you and we suck it up and run in it anyway. It's what we love to do. The finisher area was crowded at the end of the walk out chute, that needs to be improved. If your waiting for someone, give them and the other runners a chance to get out in the open area. Marathon Beer was there with the 26.2 beer and it was welcome for sure. I even got to meet and take a photo with some former Presidents!
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All in all I would recommend running the Marine Corp Marathon. The Corp know how to hold a well organized event, and if I had a chance I would run it again, even though I retired from marathons after this one.
If you want to give me a follow on Insta @_benzany, on Twitter it's @bwacter70, and Youtube is Benzany. Dont forget to follow Bib Rave and join us on Tuesday nights for #BibChat
