When we were in Chicago, the day after the marathon, MJ and I got to chatting with a few other runners about past races they’d done and how they compared.
“Well,” one guy started, “I did the Marine Corps Marathon last year and Chicago’s spectators were way better. In DC all you get are bitchy Washingtonians sipping their lattes and cheering you on. It’s so annoying.“
“Really?” I responded. “Because we’re actually from DC* and did Marine Corps last year, too. And I have to tell you – Chicago’s spectators may have been more organized, but the signs in DC were far more creative. I loved the spectators at Marine Corps.”
It kind of took the wind out of his sails, which was part of the point. But the other, FAR more important part was that Marine Corps spectators are phenomenal. And this year – yesterday – they were even better.
I had a smile on my face nearly the entire time, thanks in part to signs like “You run better than Metro!” and, at Hains Point, “No sweat! It’s just the tip!” and also thanks to the Cheer Squad, consisting of Mama, Daddy (thank you both for coming down!), BNF, Vandy, and Nicstress.
BNF even managed to snap this photo as I ran by around mile 17.
Photo Credit: BNF
See that smile? I was having an amazing time. And I was feeling far better than I ever thought possible after running 17 miles.
That, plus seeing the Cheer Squad again at mile 20ish (sorry I missed your high five, Nicstress!), was enough to keep me motivated over the bridge, through Crystal City, and up to mile 25.
There I saw a sign that said “Accio finish line!” (a Harry Potter reference that thrilled me) and was able to push it just a little harder to meet BNF at 25.5. He finished the race with me, even doing the Iwo Jima hill again (even though he’d already done it once earlier in the 10K), pushing me the entire way.
And I’m so glad he did because now I have a brand new, shiny PR of 4:29:09! I took 5 minutes off my Chicago time, proving that temperature can make far more of a difference than elevation.
I might be shuffling today, and my knees are absolutely not happy with me, but it is so very worth it.
Everything about the race was amazing – especially the spectators. Truly, Chicago has nothing on you.
In three more weeks we’ll see how Philly stacks up. Two down, one to go!
Photo Credit: BNF
*It’s a whole other debate about when you can actually say that you’re from DC. But for the purposes of this conversation, I felt it appropriate.
Liz- that is amazing! I can’t believe you shaved 5 minutes off your time. That feels like a lot of the grand scheme of marathons to me. Clearly I’m not expert, but I think it’s pretty awesome. I wish I were close by so I could cheer you on! I’d be the one screaming at the top of my lungs and bouncing up and down.
If we get to do the New York Marathon at some point, I might take you up on that cheering! (It worked wonders at the first marathon!) And thank you!
that’s freaking AWESOME! marathons are one of those things that i just cannot comprehend doing, at any point in time ever, so for you to be doing THREE just blows my little mind
congrats on the new PR!!
Thanks! I’m still on the high (which helps me ignore the crazy idea of doing three in the first place!).
We might need an additional post with more of the signs you spotted – good eyes, girl! I missed 90% of them, because I was either scanning for D’s sign or – after a certain point – not dedicating energy to reading. You, on the other hand, smiling up ’til the end AND grabbing a shiny new PR?! Nothing short of amazing. You are clearly born to be a maniac.
Philly bettah watch out!
I kept thinking – I should take a photo of that sign! And then I thought – no way, I’m not slowing down that much!
But seriously. The signs were amazing.
SOOOOO proud of you, you looked so happy each time I saw you…until mile 25.5, that is. But by then, you had already nailed it and you finished so strong. Pop pop!
And luckily enough one of the photographers caught my expression right around when you joined me. You’re right – happy is not the word I’d use to describe it.
Congrats on your MCM finish and I’m so glad you liked the “You Run Better Than Metro” sign! I’ll be in Philly in a few weeks too, but this year I’m doing the half and not the full. (Did the full last year and loved it though!) Good luck with the last few weeks of training and hope you have a great race in Philly!
Thanks (for the sign, too!)! Good luck with the half!