I kept up the sprint to the start line for 3-4 miles. I felt okay at the time, but really paid for in the 6-7th miles. The run up along Hains Point felt like FOREVER til the turn around. Not bad once I finally hit the end (just before the mi 8 marker) & headed back for the finish. I had the same thought I always have about bribing the race director to swim in those last 3 or 4 miles in the Ptomoac rather than running them.

I have to learn to deal better w crowds. Not like a race strategy or anything athletic, just the mentality. I don't like crowds, and get VERY cranky. I need to learn to accept that it's going to be like that in HUGE races like this & Nation's last year. Or just stick to smaller races.

Walk to the Metro. Metro really wasn't as bad as I feared after reading about people's past experieinces. HUGE crowd, but it seemed to be headed mostly to VA v MD. Once the train came I didn't even have to wait for 2 or 3 trains like after a National's game. Wasn't a crowded train either! The organization was truly impressive w/ bag check, metro, starting waves etc. Way better than w/ Nation's last year.


That sprint for the first 3-4 miles. I probably could have kept up stronger through the rough middle miles. Running to weave through the crowd getting back to people from my start wave & running at my pace felt a little like a Tri swim start! I'm a swimmer, so running faster at the beginning wass kind of fun at the time! But I paid for it!


Great Big Run Race. I am not a runner, & not built for HUGE races. But anyone else reading this who 1) is a runner, & 2) likes the huge races w/ tons of crowd support should really enjoy this race, & know that this is probably just what they're looking for! I did it to keep me consistently running longer, I love a nice flat course, and it's local to me. Someone else like me should know that there was still good reasons to do it!