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Marine Corps Marathon - Run


View Member's Race Log
Washington, D.C.
United States
USMC
75F / 24C
Sunny
 		Total Time = 3h 12m 59s
Overall Rank = 204/17000+
Age Group = 25-29
Age Group Rank = 42/1055
Pre-race routine:

Woke up a 600, ate 2 powerbars, drank some water, then took the Metro from Crystal City to Arlington National Cemetary
Event warmup:

I got to the starting area one hour prior to guntime, and it was packed with thousands of runners. I waited for the port-o-john, and then I moved up to the back of Corral #2 (2:45-3:15). I strectched and talked with some friends that I ran into.
Run
  • 3h 12m 39s
  • 26.2 miles
  • 07m 21s  min/mile
Comments:

I felt good for the first 15 miles, but at mile 15 I drank a red bull and began to get a bad cramp in my right side. At mile 19, the cramp was so bad that I had to walk for a few steps. Around 21 miles, the cramp went away, but I stopped and walked at every water station from mile 22-25 (grabbed 2 cups of water and walked while I drank them).
What would you do differently?:

Train harder on my long runs. I did my long training runs with runners that are quite a bit slower than me. If I push myself harder on those long runs (next time), then I will be more prepared on race day.
Post race
Warm down:

Grabbed some drinks and food. Aaron helped stretch me out.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

My training.

Event comments:

Awesome Marathon. Hundreds of uniformed Marine volenteers, Marine helicopter hover/fly-by at the start, incredible crowd support, 20,000 runners, and good scenery - what more could you ask for?




Last updated: 2004-11-01 12:00 AM
Running
03:12:39 | 26.2 miles | 07m 21s  min/mile
Age Group: 42/1055
Overall: 204/17000+
Performance: Average
Course: Nice course that runs in and around Washington, DC. A couple of small inclines.
Keeping cool Average Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 5
Physical exertion [1-5] 5
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: Good
Race evaluation [1-5] 5

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2004-11-01 10:48 AM

Regular
85
252525
SOBX, NC
Subject: Marine Corps Marathon

2004-11-01 11:11 AM
in reply to: #77843

Subject: ...
This user's post has been ignored.
2004-11-01 11:32 AM
in reply to: #77843

Elite Veteran
628
50010025
Atlanta, GA
Subject: RE: Marine Corps Marathon
Wow, you had an incredible time. I'm very impressed! Sounds like it was a really fun race with all the Marines and thousands of runners. I bet DC is beautiful this time of year. Sorry about your cramp but thankfully it went away after a while.

Happy training,
Bethany
2004-11-01 11:43 AM
in reply to: #77843

Master
2233
200010010025
Mechanicsburg, PA
Subject: RE: Marine Corps Marathon
Stunning! Great finish time!

-Frank
2004-11-01 11:51 AM
in reply to: #77843

Master
2345
200010010010025
Ellsworth, WI
Subject: RE: Marine Corps Marathon
Wow, sounds like a great race! Congrats on an awesome performance! My daughter's teacher ran this too, and I'm anxious to talk to her about it. Great job!

Kelly
2004-11-01 12:06 PM
in reply to: #77872

Online or Offline
Subject: RE: Marine Corps Marathon

Awesome time! First time running the MCM?

Did they have Red Bull on the course? I'm so glad that they've switched from using that Ultima crap in the past to something else, anything is better than that stuff!

2004-11-01 12:13 PM
in reply to: #77843

Expert
1279
1000100100252525
Northern VA
Subject: RE: Marine Corps Marathon

Great time Dave (especially considering the cramp)!!!!!   I was gonna do this race, but between the lottery and a longer drive, I opted to stay closer to home.   Sounds like a great race - congratulations!!!!

2004-11-01 12:28 PM
in reply to: #77843

Elite
4344
2000200010010010025
Subject: RE: Marine Corps Marathon

Great time, Dave!  It was a really hot day which I am sure contributed to the cramps in the middle part on Sunday.  That was when the temperature really began to rise.

Being a race of 17,000 runners, on Halloween, sponsored by the Marines, and two days before the presidential election, this event combines elements of costume party, celebration of patriotism and devotion to country, and a major social event.  And it is run with full display of military efficiency and professionalism.  My favorite part were the runners in Halloween costume.  Runners carried (BIG) US or Marine Corps flags.  There were lots of running political ads, some quite creative.  It was a great race but a great event  too.

I was there to cheer for my daughter who also ran.  She ran a very smart first marathon (first race of any kind ever!)  I ran with her for the last six miles.  She was really in control even at the end when she could have been a little foggy.  She did just like Dave over the last 6 miles.  She walked and sipped at the aid stations then finished strong, smiling and looking like a champion.  It was a real privilege to run along and talk for those last few minutes. 

Congratulations to all the Marine Corps Marathon runners.

TW



Edited by tech_geezer 2004-11-01 12:31 PM
2004-11-01 12:48 PM
in reply to: #77843

Master
1790
1000500100100252525
Whitsett, North Carolina
Subject: RE: Marine Corps Marathon
Impressive time. 3 coworkers of mine were running this race. All of them said they were slower due to the heat. Congrats on a great time!

Did you see the two guys there dressed in full firefighter uniforms who ran?
2004-11-01 2:09 PM
in reply to: #77843

Elite
4344
2000200010010010025
Subject: RE: Marine Corps Marathon
I saw the firefighters.  One was wearing a respirator tank.  Amazing.
2004-11-01 3:15 PM
in reply to: #77929

Regular
85
252525
SOBX, NC
Subject: RE: Marine Corps Marathon
I didn't see the firefighter, but I did see several Marines dresses in full combat gear including a backpack shuffling along! The Red Bull...my brother handed it to me at the 15.5ish mile becaused I asked him to. I drink it during long bike rides all of the time, and it never caused problems. In retrospect, I should have tried it on a long training run prior to the race....oh well, there is always next time! Oh yea, it was unseasonably warm Sunday I don't know what the actual temp was but it felt like 75+.


2004-11-01 8:52 PM
in reply to: #77843

Expert
833
50010010010025
Adrian, MI
Subject: RE: Marine Corps Marathon
That's an AWESOME time, Dave. Wow. I can't imagine how fast you would've went if you weren't beset by troubles in the latter stages. Definitely an inspiration for yours truly.

I tell ya, though, I have no idea how you were even able to swallow some Red Bull. When I did my marathon a few weeks back anything but water/ gatorade would've most assuredly came back up again!
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