Running with the Marines!

"Disclaimer: I received free entry to XYZ race as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!"

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. 

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.

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. 

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

Fall Running Schedule

Disclaimer: I received entry into Marine Corps Marathon, Rock n Roll Virginia Beach, and Chartway Norfolk Harbor Half  as part of being a Bib Rave Pro. For more info on becoming a pro or to leave and read race reviews, go to Bib Rave.

What is up everybody, Ben here with some announcements about Fall running. I know Summer is just getting started, it was humid enough to already be here the other day, but it's time to start planning your Fall race calander. Now personally, I usually only plan marathons, to give me training time, but this year we're doing something different. On September 1st I will be running the Rock 'n' Roll Virginia Beach Half Marathon. It's early May as I write this so training will kick in the start of June for that. It's going to be a hot one, but the ocean will be nice to get in afterward. Looking at he course it's fairly flat and out and back so it's going to be a good time to run and maybe shoot for a PR.

 YOU can get $16 off of the half with code 19RNRBRP16

For more info go HERE

Then in October, I'll be teaming up with Team in Training to run the Marine Corp Marathon in Washington D.C. What is Team in Training? Well,  they are an organization that has raised over 1 billion for blood cancer research. One of the ways they raise money is by giving people entry into races for reaching fundraising goals. So I will be fundraising this Summer to help raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Want to try to fundraise too? Use the code below to get started and maybe you will be running Marine Corp Marathon with me. 

YOU can use code MCMBIBRAVE for free Team in Training registration. That's $100 right there. 

You can check out  Team in Training HERE 

Finally in November we have the Chartway Norfolk Harbor Half. This is a race I'm looking forward to as the course should be flat so it's a good PR attempt. I will have a discount code soon so watch out for me on Twitter and Instagram @bwachter70 for that. Or just check back here.

Anyway thanks for reading. I'm sure I will have some 5 and 10k's here and there throughout the year so maybe I'll see you out there. 

Allow myself to introduce myself

Welcome to Run, Bigfoot, Run. My attempt to get my thoughts and experiences out about running and whatever else comes up. I thought this would be a good time to introduce me so you're not wondering who this random guy is.

 My name is Ben and I live in Central Virginia. I've been running going on six years now and have tried everything from a 5k up to 50k. Like others I thought running was stupid and pointless but after my first 5k I was hooked with improving and making myself better. The weight loss didn't hurt either.

 I decided on the name Run, Bigfoot, Run as I wear a size 14 shoe and always have a shaggy beard. It actually looks nice for once in the photo above. 

My favorite distance is the marathon even though I have ran more 5k's, but that's probably true of most runners after awhile. I enjoy the pace and seeing what's around when doing a marathon. This year I have 3 marathons, maybe 2 half's, and several 5k's so I will have a lot to talk about, but first up is entering the Marine Corps Marathon lottery and running the Monument Ave 10k. 

I figured entering the lottery and tracking my training if I get in would be a good series of blog posts so we shall see.

Until next time,

Ben

You can follow me on Twitter and Instagram @bwachter70