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Marine Corps Marathon - RunMarathon


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Washington, DC, Washington, D.C.
United States
Marine Corps
60F / 16C
Sunny
Total Time = 4h 14m 26s
Overall Rank = 5863/18273
Age Group = 25-29
Age Group Rank = 389/1597
Pre-race routine:

The day & night before the race I took it easy and went to bed early on Saturday night around 8:30. I slept well and woke up at 3:30 on Sunday morning excited and ready to go! Showered, made some peanut butter sandwiches, walked the dog, and was on the road to the New Carollton Metro by 4:20. I met my parents at the Metro station and we had a quick and easy ride to the Pentagon stop.

We made it to the Runner's Village by 6:30 and I had plenty of time to eat, stand in the port-a-pottie line a few times (I was well hydrated!) and make my way to the start.
Event warmup:

Not much. It was a little bit of a walk from the Pentagon stop to the Runner's Village. I figured I would warm up after running the first few miles.
Run
  • 4h 14m 26s
  • 26.2 miles
  • 09m 43s  min/mile
Comments:

I started out in the 4:00 - 4:09 corral. The first 5K was crowded, but I didn't mind because it helped me keep my pace under control. I ditched the sweatshirt around mile 3 and took my gloves off after the first hour. I also had my first gel and was feeling pretty good! After making it through the first 10K, I saw the 4:00 pace group and started running with them. It was a lot of fun running with the group (even though it was really crowded.) At one point, someone stepped on the back of my foot and I almost fell... yikes! I hung with the pace group until mile 17.5 or so and was still feeling good. I took a gel every hour just like I had practiced during my training runs.

I took a little longer at the next water stop and walked through it (mistake!) Up until mile 15 or so, I had my own water bottle with me so I just passed through the water stops up until this point. I think for my next marathon, I'll consider bringing two bottles with me. I don't mind holding them and it'll help me keep moving instead of giving into the temptation to walk through the stops.

When I made it through the stop, I saw the balloons a little ahead of me and thought that I wouldn't be able to catch up to them again. Looking back on it, I really wish I had made more of an effort to catch back up instead of just being OK with keeping them in my sight.

After I walked through the water stop, my legs felt tight, but I was able to continue running until I hit mile 21. My legs were tired and I couldn't see the 4:00 balloons anymore so I started walking. I'm kind of disappointed with myself because I feel like I gave up. My legs were hurting, but they weren't cramping so there was no reason for me to walk. Walking made my legs feel worse and it was really hard to start running again after the walk breaks.

From miles 21 through 25, I tried running for 5 minutes then walking 2. Running for 3 minutes, then walking 1. Running to a sign, then walking for a few. I tried everything I could to try and pull myself out of the mental and physical funk that I was in. Even the awesome crowd support through Crystal City wasn't enough to keep me running.

Finally... at mile 25, I was able to pull out of the funk and run the last 1.2. I was hurting, but I was moving again!!

The finish line was incredible. There were so many people cheering, and it made me forget about the pain in my legs (especially while running up the hill at the end!) I was happy to be finished and enjoyed the experience :) It was my first marathon and I'm very glad I picked the Marine Corps Marathon as my first.
What would you do differently?:

Keep running. Since this was my first marathon, I didn't handle the mental funk that I went through during the last 10K very well.

I knew at some point, I'd probably be in some pain, but pulling together and pushing through that rough patch is something that I'll have to work on during my next marathon. If my legs were cramping, that would be a reason to start walking, but I need to push through the fatigue instead of giving into it. I'll remember for next time that walking just makes it worse because it's harder to get moving again!

I'll also think about bringing two bottles with me so I don't take my sweet ol' time at the water stops.
Post race
Warm down:

Hobbled through the finish area, got my medal & my finisher's photo. Luckily my parents saw me and I was able to meet up with them shortly after I finished. We were planning on meeting at the Family Link Up area, but that was a long walk from the finisher's area. I sat down on the grass for a while, had some pretzels & Powerade, then we started making our way to the Metro stop.

I was planning on going and meeting up with other BTers for some post race festivities, but the Metro line was madness and I knew I wouldn't be able to make it home in a reasonable time to let my dog out. :( The Metro ride home was crowded for about 20 minutes, but then I was able to get a seat for the rest of the ride. Made it home around 3:00 and ate a HUGE lunch/dinner.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

I just need to run more miles. I followed Hal Higdon's Novice 2 plan, but I missed a few long runs during tri season. I also think I need to be running at least 100+ miles a month to have a shot at running a decent marathon. For my first attempt though, I think I did alright. :) I'm just disappointed that I started walking. I enjoyed the experience, did not suffer any injuries during training, and am looking forward to doing another marathon.

I was hoping for a 4:00 time, but it was probably a little ambitious of me to think I could pull that off with my training mileage.

Event comments:

The organization at this race was very good. There were plenty of drink stations and they were well stocked. The crowd support was amazing. The course was beautiful. The finishers area at the end was crowded, but I was still able to get my medal and picture fairly quickly. The only thing I didn't like was the line to get back on the Metro at the end. It was tough standing there for that long after running, but it was a smooth ride on the Orange line back to the New Carollton station.

I'll definitely do this race again next year :)




Last updated: 2008-04-30 12:00 AM
Running
04:14:26 | 26.2 miles | 09m 43s  min/mile
Age Group: 389/1597
Overall: 5863/18273
Performance: Good
Course: Through Arlington, Rosslyn, DC, back into Crystal City, then past the Pentagon. It was a beautiful course. There were some hills during miles 1-8, then it flattened out. There was an uphill at the finish which was tough to run on tired legs! The course passed through several memorials, but I don't remember seeing any of them :(
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Average
Mental exertion [1-5] 3
Physical exertion [1-5] 4
Good race? Yes
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Average
Race evaluation [1-5] 5

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2008-10-27 10:27 AM

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Master
1678
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Olney, MD
Subject: Marine Corps Marathon


2008-10-27 10:37 AM
in reply to: #1767603

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Queen BTich
12411
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,
Subject: RE: Marine Corps Marathon

Great job on your first! What a great time!

Don't beat yourself up. Its your first race. You learn something new everytime, and use it to your advantage for the next one.

2008-10-27 10:38 AM
in reply to: #1767603

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Sneaky Slow
8694
500020001000500100252525
Herndon, VA,
Subject: RE: Marine Corps Marathon
Well done especially for your first marathon... sounds like you learned a lot, and sub-4 can't be too far away for you.  Sorry we missed you... next time get a dog sitter!! 
2008-10-27 10:39 AM
in reply to: #1767603

Member
279
100100252525
DC Metro
Subject: RE: Marine Corps Marathon

Good job!

Now I think I'm clueless on the Metro but I thought Sunday metro started later but you see people getting on at 5am or so.  For the marathon, did they start the metro earlier?

2008-10-27 10:39 AM
in reply to: #1767603

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Master
1639
100050010025
Robbinsville NJ
Subject: RE: Marine Corps Marathon
Good job getting through your 1st Marathon. Don't beat yourself up too much. If they were easy I would've done one by now
2008-10-27 11:10 AM
in reply to: #1767603

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Cycling Guru
15134
50005000500010025
Fulton, MD
Subject: RE: Marine Corps Marathon

Great job Tracy!

That is a really solid time for your first, especially when you add in the walk/run parts!

You should easily be sub-4 on your next should you choose to go for another.



2008-10-27 11:16 AM
in reply to: #1767603

Subject: RE: Marine Corps Marathon
GREAT job, Traci! Sorry that you couldn't make it - would have been fun to see you!
2008-10-27 11:20 AM
in reply to: #1767603

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Expert
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Subject: RE: Marine Corps Marathon
Kudos on your first marathon! It's easy to look back and critique the experience, but don't dwell on it. Use it to your advantage in the future should you choose to run another.

Well done!
2008-10-27 11:38 AM
in reply to: #1767603

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Elite
2998
2000500100100100100252525
Fishers, Indiana
Subject: RE: Marine Corps Marathon
Excellent 1st Marathon!! Nicely done, and sounds like lots of lessons learned that will only make you faster next time!! Congrats!
2008-10-27 12:03 PM
in reply to: #1767603

Iron Donkey
38643
50005000500050005000500050002000100050010025
, Wisconsin
Subject: RE: Marine Corps Marathon
Way to HTFU!!  Great job!
2008-10-27 12:45 PM
in reply to: #1767839

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Sensei
Sin City
Subject: RE: Marine Corps Marathon

Wonderful job!

Great, really great....



2008-10-27 12:48 PM
in reply to: #1767603

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Expert
808
500100100100
Columbia, MD
Subject: RE: Marine Corps Marathon

Awesome job for your first marathon!  Don't worry about not hitting the 4 hr goal - now you have something to work towards.  Hope you rest today - you deserve it. 

2008-10-27 12:50 PM
in reply to: #1767978

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Champion
9060
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Charlottesville, Virginia
Subject: RE: Marine Corps Marathon
Great job, awesome time.
2008-10-27 1:30 PM
in reply to: #1767603

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Expert
973
5001001001001002525
Berkeley, Calif.
Subject: RE: Marine Corps Marathon
Great race!! I know you're a little disappointed, but that's really a fantastic time, and I'm so impressed at the way you pushed through at the end. It also sounds like you learned a lot of valuable lessons for your next marathon, and that says a lot about your character.

But never mind the disappointment -- you rocked a marathon! That's so cool! Congratulations.
2008-10-27 7:59 PM
in reply to: #1767603

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Expert
1168
10001002525
Lansdale, PA.
Subject: RE: Marine Corps Marathon
Hey there! Way to rock your first 26.2.
I know what you mean about regrets over the finish result however after having a few under my belt i have decided that the finish line distorts your view of the past. You forget the actual pain and suffering that was going on at the time. You are still a rock star. There is always next time!
2008-10-27 8:23 PM
in reply to: #1767603

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Veteran
202
100100
Arlington, VA
Subject: RE: Marine Corps Marathon
Great first marathon!  Don't be too disappointed; the last 10k of a marathon can be tough, even for those with lots of experience.  You did very well, had fun, and it seems you learned a lot that will be useful next time.  Congrats.


2008-10-27 8:34 PM
in reply to: #1767603

Master
2009
2000
Charlotte, NC
Subject: RE: Marine Corps Marathon
That's geat!  I would love if my MCM time was 4:14!
2008-10-27 10:08 PM
in reply to: #1767603

Pro
4054
200020002525
yep,
Subject: RE: Marine Corps Marathon
Great job on the race.  Next race you will totally have it under 4 hours.
2008-10-28 7:21 AM
in reply to: #1767603

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Champion
6931
5000100050010010010010025
Bellingham, Washington
Subject: RE: Marine Corps Marathon

Welcome to the Marathon Finisher Club.  Something about miles 21 and on, the body has given all and you keep searching for that last little bit of something to get through those final miles.

Good Idea about the bottles.  I've learned that it's not worth the hassle to get a cup at the first couple water stations (crowds).

Congrats on #1.

2008-10-28 7:48 AM
in reply to: #1767603

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Veteran
128
10025
Subject: RE: Marine Corps Marathon
Great job.  You'll break 4 hour mark in your next one.
2008-10-28 7:59 AM
in reply to: #1767603

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Extreme Veteran
543
50025
Subject: RE: Marine Corps Marathon

Great job out there.  I forgot how crowded those tables get, and for this race I think it is worth bringing your own; at the National Marathon in DC it is less crowded and not much of a problem getting fluids.

Anyways; very impressive run.



2008-10-28 9:27 AM
in reply to: #1767603

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Expert
1166
10001002525
Northern VA
Subject: RE: Marine Corps Marathon

Great race and a fantastic time, especially for a first marathon! You learned plenty from this one and know what to expect next time.

I know what you mean about those balloons. I was trying to catch a pace group and could never get close to them through the crowds.

Congrats!

2008-10-28 9:33 AM
in reply to: #1767603

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Veteran
288
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Owings, MD
Subject: RE: Marine Corps Marathon

Awesome job, Traci!  Very impressive!

Laurie

2008-10-28 9:36 AM
in reply to: #1767603

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Veteran
174
1002525
Severna Park, MD
Subject: RE: Marine Corps Marathon

Just read your race report....that was a great first marathon (read that as "better than mine" :-)

Congratulations.  With that as a base, you will be more than ready for Disney in January!

2008-10-28 10:56 AM
in reply to: #1767603

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Master
3546
2000100050025
Millersville, MD
Subject: RE: Marine Corps Marathon
Ditto what George said - better than my first, and my second was well below your 4:00 goal, for what it's worth. Sounds like you learned some powerful mental lessons, which frankly, you just can't train for until you've got a few 26.2's under your belt. I'm comfident your next one will be much better. Sorry I couldn't go cheer... I was hoping to but just not practical. KUDOS!
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