One week from tomorrow I will be in the midst of running my first ever marathon. Or, depending on when you read this, I may have already collapsed over the finish line. But regardless, however you slice it, Saturday March 20th is Marathon Day.
I’ve run plenty of races in the past year and a half, and I’ve learned the value of crowd support. And never will it be so necessary as during these 26.2 long miles. I’ve already convinced my parents to come down and cheer, and we have a few truly insane devoted friends who have already agreed to leave the comfort of their beds that morning to watch us participate in this craziness.
But now, I have a proposition for you, should you live in the DC area. Come out and be a spectator! (Or, you know, run alongside us. That would be awesome.)
This course is 100% in the District. It covers Dupont, Adams Morgan, H Street, Capitol Hill, Nationals Park, and Anacostia.*
It does start at 7am (early, I know), but will last easily until 11am (probably even noon, for me). And the best part? Look how warm it’s supposed to be!
You’ll want to be outside anyway! Even if it coincides with nursing that hangover. Which could be counteracted with the coffee and bagels being offered at the Spectator Community Spirit Festivals!
Yes, I know this is a shameless plug and plea, but I can tell you from experience as both a runner and a spectator that the cheering can make all the difference.
Let me know if you think you’ll be able to make it out – OR if you know anyone else running.
Just one more week…
Happy Friday!
*Legalities (kind of): After a conversation with Heather, where we discussed begging asking people to come out and cheer, it was determined that we couldn’t actually ask anyone to cheer along the Anacostia route – even if it is during the tail end of the race when we need the motivation. Therefore, should you decide to spectate from there, consider this the official notice that I’m not asking you to go to that specific area, nor am I responsible if it’s too sketchy.
But still come out to the non-sketch places, please!
It has been brought to my attention that the above note could possibly be construed as offensive. If you were offended, I’m sorry. I meant no disrespect to any neighborhood – it was my poor attempt at a little humor.
But, then again, I am a WASP. I should know better than to try to be funny.
You Rock!
… And Good Luck
… And remember, a post-race beer is the best way to mitigate any soreness
That sounds like excellent advice. Thanks!
8 days 8 days 8 days!! o.m.g.
7 a.m. start?! seriously? how did I NOT take that into consideration before paying the registration fee? F. (also, how did I not know this already? FAIL…)
You got me worried – I had to double check that it is, in fact, 7am.
It is.
Good luck! I did the Half marathon last year and it was a great challenge and a pretty interesting course.
Thanks! It looks like a good course – plenty to see and keep you (sort of) distracted from the distance at hand.
Wow! A white girl running 5 miles through Anacostia, that might actually be worth coming out to see. Is that kinda the organizers’ way of saying “hurry your slow ass up and finish this race?”
Best of luck.
You know, I thought I’d need spectators down there for the motivation, but you might have a point. I’ll already be hurrying through.
I will not be able to make it to DC, being that I am in Georgia. I will cheer for you. I don’t believe you will be able to hear me, but I will certainly try! Either way, don’t stop moving and GOOD LUCK!!!!!!
Thank you! And every little cheer helps, for sure, even from a distance.
It’s not one of the biggest races in DC, so don’t expect the same crowd as the MCM gets (or even the Army Ten Miler, or the Cherry Blossom…)
I’d cheer you on, but I’ll be in VA Beach, as I’m running the Shamrock Half the next morning.
Good luck!!! (And hope you do great, even without the crowds!)
Ooh, good luck with the Shamrock Half! I hear that one’s a lot of fun!
Good luck- I’m sure you’re going to do great!