First, and most importantly, I really want to thank the Marines who run the marathon. Period. No ifs, ands, or buts. It’s a tremendous effort to manage that many people and much appreciated.

I think about 35,000 people get entries for the Marine Corps Marathon (MCM), about 30,000 start and about 25,000 finish–give or take every year.  That’s an insane amount of people, and when you count in the spectators, well, wow.

So I realize that things can’t always go as planned. And go as planned they did not.

I don’t talk that much about running, here, except in passing, seeing as this is primarily a travel blog. But, seeing how many people travel for marathons, I don’t think there is any harm…plus, I’m on my post-race induced endless running chatter. Which dear husband endures but has had enough of…so this should be a good outlet.

First, let’s talk about what went well.

I held it together and ran over that stupid, stupid bridge from mile 20-22 that I hate so dearly. I h.a.t.e. that bridge. But, you know what? I sucked it up and kept running. I’m proud that I didn’t have another mental “I can’t do this” fest.

While I felt sick (was sick) most of the day, I held it together while running. Shocking, I know, considering 2 years ago I still couldn’t figure out why I was vomiting like a crazy person after every run. Apparently I’m super sensitive when I get low on electrolytes. Thanks to those wonderful Honey Stingers that I can somehow choke down when I can’t eat anything else, I held it together the entire course. And Gatorade. I never was big on sports drinks until I realized my body liked them. And I like not throwing up.

Finally, while I wasn’t happy with my time, it was a significant PR, even though it was significantly slower than I’d been training. I need to remember that. Four years ago, when I started running in 2011, I couldn’t run 5 miles in <10:10 pace. I am NOT a natural runner, which pains me greatly because I don’t usually take to things I’m not naturally at least reasonably good at. So to run 26.2 (actually 26.65, with all the ridiculous zig zagging I had to do), at 9:51 pace…really at 9:42 if you take into account my extra mileage) is definite improvement.

Oh, and my knees/joints/IT bands did NOT hurt at the end. That alone is SO exciting.

Now, let’s talk about the disaster that was the start.

We got to the start (I mean the line for the start) at just about 6:35, which is exactly 1:20 before the start. No problem, right?

Utter, utter disaster. The security line was SO backed up (and I had a bag to check) that I was still in line when the race started. This is the third time I’ve run the MCM, and while the line was slow last year, we got in with about 15 minutes to spare. Not sure what happened this year, but it was a mess.

It’s not that I was worried I wouldn’t get to start, but I started with the 6:00 hour pacer (and 20 minutes late). Everyone was walking up the hills, even at mile .5. And I spent a tremendous amount of energy running around people, on wet grass (it was raining), and avoiding the walkers who stopped in the middle of the road to look around for their friends. I get it. Not everyone has a time goal. But why, oh why, can’t the rules of the highway apply? Slower cars to the right…faster cars to the left. I was pretty frustrated by the time I got to mile 5. And my legs were way more spent than they should have been.

I also got elbowed in the head by a tall guy who was speed walking, which pretty much sucked and added to my frustration. I had some choice words for him–you can NOT swing your elbows like that in a crowd of 30,000! (No, that’s obviously not what I said to him. Cough.)

Oh, and they were out of water and struggling to find jugs and fill cups at one of the early water stations. I waiting for exactly 45 seconds for someone to find water. Cause I was thirsty. And had avoided the earlier aid stations so I could try to get ahead of some of the crowd. Sigh…as I watched my watch tick away.

Will I run the MCM again?

I will definitely be running another marathon, because I’m determined to do better. And I guess I should admit I like to run. But will it be the MCM?

There are a lot of really wonderful things about the MCM. The Marines and the atmosphere are fantastic. But this year’s fiasco at the start + the move of packet pick up to National Harbor next year makes me dread the process of actually getting to the start line. National Harbor has no parking. Traffic to get there is bad on a great day. And there is absolutely no public transportation.  I don’t know anyone happy about this decision (just look at their Facebook page), and I think it could make local runners really think twice before entering. Including me.

Plus, it would be fun to run a destination marathon, right? I haven’t traveled just to race before…but…why not?

Have you done a destination marathon? Where did you go? Any suggestions for flat, fun, well-run courses?

The Marine Corps Marathon is the end of October, and I was pretty determined this year not to travel during the weekends where I was to be running 18-22 miles. Because not doing those runs as scheduled hasn’t really worked so well the last 2 times I’ve tried (or maybe I’m just a whiner instead of a suck-it-up-er at mile 23…debatable). I even resisted when I found out my mom is going to Brussels…I seriously cannot believe that dedication to running beat out my love for Tin Tin, Snowy, and associated paraphernalia.

Yes, This Hangs on the Wall in the 2nd Bedroom, Should You Wonder What Tin Tin Paraphernalia Is…

Last year I went to New Hampshire to see my horse in October. New Hampshire is stunningly beautiful in the fall, and I certainly will miss the leaves and crisp air. But if all goes as planned, my horse is actually coming to Virginia! We haven’t been near each other for a long time–though I’ve owned her for 13 years–so it will be a bit of a change. But I found a barn where I think she will be happy and well taken care of.

(There is a very long drawn out story of a constantly frustrating horse here, but I’ll save you the details. Think of a horse as a giant, lovable, sink hole for your money).

Sorry, Sterly. You’ll Have to Make Do With Less Scenery in Virginia.

On another note, I don’t think it’s any secret that I’m obsessed with Africa and spy books/movies/tv shows, so:

I finally got around to seeing the movie The Good Lie, and even got DH to watch with me. While Africa is beyond beautiful, it also is full of despair, tragedy, and war. While the story of the Sudanese Lost Boys is hopeful, the refugee problem facing Kenya (and the persecution and war facing those in Sudan and Somali) is far from over. For example, Kakuma refugee camp continues to host tens of thousands of Sudanese, and even the UN reports that they have been coming from South Sudan in record numbers. Anyway, it IS a good movie and I think brings attention to something that many Americans–as a whole–probably don’t think about with any real frequency. Let’s not even talk about what percentage could identify Sudan or South Sudan on a map.

I also finished reading the book The Spy’s Son: The True Story of the Highest-Ranking CIA Officer Ever Convicted of Espionage and the Son He Trained to Spy for Russia. I really enjoyed it–if you like spy books, particularly non-fiction, pick it up. It’s an incredible story of a spy who deceives and manipulates his son into picking up where he left off when he was jailed for spying for Russia. I could absolutely see this as a movie in the future. Even for a spook, Jim Nicholson (the father who was convicted of spying) is deceiving beyond belief and betrays his entire family for Russia. Reality check: this takes family drama and parental manipulation to a whole new level.

Happy Labor Day Weekend! I’m doing nothing but running (and subsequently icing), cleaning/organizing, hanging with the husband and the dog, and sleeping. Sounds like the perfect three-day weekend! Eh…maybe I’ll throw some trip planning in there too..it’s been awhile and I’m starting to twitch again.

Because I’ve been busy and lazy, I mean in an attempt to streamline blog content, I’ve not done a weekly roundup for weeks. But I have a lot to ramble/complain/rant on this week, both on and off the blog (just ask my poor husband).

These rambles are the good kind, though!

First, I haven’t even mentioned here that I am going to Peru in the next few weeks in celebration of my mother’s 70th birthday. She is still traveling and I’ll always appreciate her enabling (and encouraging) us to do the same. I am really excited to see Machu Picchu, and honestly, hopefully have a week of slightly cooler temps. The heat in DC has been tolerable this year, but relief is always appreciated. Vamos!

Second, in a second of impulse (or perhaps misjudgment) I signed up for the Marine Corps Marathon again. For the third time. The running demons/gods must be with me, as I did get a place through the lottery. After swearing up and down that I would NEVER RUN ANOTHER after last year, I just couldn’t resist. However, the prior two years I have taken a 2-week trip directly over when the longest (20-22 mile) training runs should be. This meant I was coming home (after not running or running very little) and feeling pretty crappy. I’m hopeful that the quick trip to Peru will be easier on my legs, and that I can at least get a run or two in while I’m there. I guess I’m a glutton for pain, and also for all the massive eating (errr…responsible post-run fueling) that comes with marathon training (remember the blerch? yea). Nom nom nom.

Third, there are things going on in the United States that just sound absurd when discussed in other cultures and contexts, and nothing brings this more to a point than the need for “free-range parenting” in the United States. While we were in Kenya, we were discussing that kids in this area can’t even walk 2 blocks to school on their own in many neighborhoods, or social services can be called. In fact, some can’t even walk to school alone when their house is in sight of the school. This phenomenon was obviously met with an appropriate degree of incredulity in Kenya. What better way to ensure children cannot make decisions than to wrap them in a parental bubble and ensure they never interact with the world.

Fourth, while I don’t shop at Gap very much anymore, I’ve been on the hunt for a less expensive basic white tee. While my Theory ones are the best and have lasted many years, they look disgusting at this point and I have to drive to the outlets to get new ones. I’m lazy, guard my weekends like a hawk (i.e., don’t like to drive), and even on sale they still cost $40-$50. Enter Gapfit. Their breathe tees are THE BOMB, and I got mine for $13, though their regular price of $25 is definitely reasonable. The white is not particularly sheer, they wash pretty well, they are SO soft, and work under a blazer as well as running/yoga etc. Good job Gap.

Happy Weekend!

The MCM is really quite the event–hotels are booked, and nearly all of the race course (yes, all 26 miles of it) is lined with people. This is one of those times where crowds of people are actually nice…gets a little dull running 26 miles without something to look at! Plus, they are great about encouraging you (and handing out candy).  Yes, the MCM desperately snarls traffic for a bit, but with 25,000 or so runners, it is quite the sight and the Marines and volunteers do such an amazing, amazing job putting the race on, staffing the aid stations, and cheering.

MCM 2013

 If you are a runner, you’ll be putting things together–DH and I went to Thailand and Bhutan over what would have been two very long runs in our marathon training. And we were gone for two weeks. And…here it comes…we didn’t run at all. Last year I went to Uganda and Rwanda and nearly the same time of year, and made a huge effort to run while I was there. I ran on the treadmill when available (can’t just go running in Queen Elizabeth National Park on your own), and also on the roads near Bwindi (which was so much fun). I thought I had stayed in shape–I mean, I ran at 6000 feet and figured I would be good to go!What I didn’t factor in was the sitting and flexibility issues that come with travel. Yea…not so big on yoga in my room in the morning. And when I returned last year, I had major, major ITB problems. I think–in part–I tried to do too much too soon when I returned, and was a bit neglectful in my stretching and rolling.

So with a new plan in hand, this year I decided to front load my training so I was way ahead of schedule before we left. Then I decided to really ease back into it when we returned. Finally, I’ve been better about stretching and rolling and ensuring my core strength compensates for my lack of running so at least I didn’t get injured.

So DH and I finished the marathon. DH did awesome, though he continues to swear it’s his ONLY one ever. I came off happy to improve on my time but cursing the world, and swearing I’d never do another. But already the hatred has worn off a bit (and it’s only been 24 hours). Do I think my not running for 2 weeks made a difference? Probably, but that mental break might have done some good, too. I’m not an elite runner so I’m the only one who cares, seriously, about my marathon time.

If I was a great runner, I probably would feel differently about all of this, but I refuse (for now) to put marathon training ahead of travel plans. And I have refused (for the most part) to feel guilty about not running on vacation, despite the availability of perfectly nice gyms or roads to run on. It was a vacation, and I absolutely wasn’t into it after sweating all day in the heat (sorry Chaing Mai, I still hate your weather).

Are you good about running or keeping up with race training on vacation? Or did you come to DC for the marathon?