Hello from Washington DC!
Yesterday I made it to the hotel with plenty of time to grab some food before the party started…
Yes. I went all the way to DC for chain Mexican food. #DontJudge
And have a few beverages with my Sole Runner friends, including my #4 favorite person, Leann.
And this guy
This morning the sun woke me up way too early and I headed to the expo. I heard it was going to be crowded and that was accurate. There were long lines to get your bib and another long line for the expo.
I made the obligatory trip to the watermelon booth to say hello…
But that’s not where the watermelon party was happening. Luckily, I had the inside scoop that Watermelon o’plenty was going to be handed out after the Healthy Kids Fun Run.
Carb-loading like it’s my job.
And I finally got to meet my long lost watermelon BFF Stephanie!
I just felt like walking alone for a while so I strolled along the Mt. Vernon trail. It was some nice lil quiet time.
I was on my feet without water way too much at this point so I headed back to the hotel around 3:30pm. <- I’ll regret that tomorrow. #Foreshadowing
I bough a whole gallon of water and some bars and random things.
Then, it was time for dinner with my new Sole Runner friends.
Now I have to pack up and get ready for tomorrow.
I’m already tired.
That’s kind of a bad sign…
Question: Have you had your watermelon today?
The lines were crazy long at the expo, over 2 hours to get the bibs and shirts ugh!!
Can we still be friends if I admit I’m not a huge fan of watermelon?
Looks like a lot of fun for before a marathon!
Unless DC has changed a LOT from when I lived there, chains are the only place to get Mexican food!
i will come back for the recap..
Can’t wait for the recap. I love MCM.
So excited to hear about the marathon! Good luck 🙂
No watermelon these days. I can’t find ones that are super sweet anymore 🙁
Hope you’re having a blast running your marathon right now!!
Taking a walk alone is one of my favourite getaways. So peaceful and can really give you time to relax and think (I know running can do the same, but there’s something to be said about a nice slow-paced walk too).
Good luck today!!
good luck! you’re probably running right now! can’t wait to read your recap later =)
where do you find watermelon now?! isn’t it out of season?
Good luck today. I’ve always wanted to run MCM — looks like such a great race with great spectator support!
I have a couple of questions for you. Maybe this would be a better email question, but it seems like you set yourself so you never have to meet any goals. You run a ton of races, but never pick any to race hard. You run a lot, but always cut hard workouts short or don’t do the prescribed workout. It seems like you have a lot of potential, but you’re scared to set goals and try to meet them. You have already given excuses before today’s race even began as to why you’re tired, etc.
It would be nice to see you pick a couple races and set hard goals for them. I think you have it in you and you certainly train enough. You just need to train a little smarter — as you know from your RCAA courses. I’d love to see you pick a marathon or a half 8 weeks out, hit a bunch of hard workouts and crush a race!
Thanks for your thoughts Mary. You have a good point for sure. I run because I love it, I never went into this for a certain goal except for finish one marathon. Turns out I dig it, so I kept going 🙂 I like running a lot, but I don’t necessarily enjoy running super difficult style (that’s relative, because I DO consider full marathons very difficult). I do want to BQ and it’s something I am working toward, but I am doing it my own way. I am not a ‘numbers person’ who is going to watch my time and splits religiously – that is not a good time for me 🙂 So, I’m doing it my own lil way, which is probably the hard way but it’s also the way that keeps me loving running instead of stressing about it. (I know this doesn’t make sense to numbers oriented runners. I’m just kinda weird?)
Totally agree.
you can do it!
The MCM is going to be my first marathon! Bib #25335! (I doubt you will read this before the race, but shout if you see me!). Oh and if you can reserve a slice of watermelon for me at the end, that would be fantastic. Good luck to you!
Yay! DC is my hometown. I’ll be at mile 23.5 with all the cheering girls in blue! MCM was my first marathon, total blast. I’m not running this year b/c I finished an ultra a few weeks ago. Hope to see you!!!! Good luck!
You are in my city strolling my trails!!! Ill b at water station 10/11 !!! Wish I was running this year, GOOD LUCK!!!
Aw I saw the watermelon booth but didn’t get any watermelon 🙁
Good luck in the race! And yes I’m awake right now eating my prerace bfast!!!
No watermelon, just way too many cookies…
No judgement here, I think Chipotle is a great pre-race meal. The night before my first marathon, I even took a taxi to get Chipotle. Spent way too much for chain Mexican, but so worth it.
not yet…the durian in the fridge seems more tempting than the watermelon!
all the best for MCM!
wow that tray of watermelon looks heavy. Those lines are too crazy. I would have not been happy if I was in those lines.
Good luck tomorrow! Hope you have a great race!
Good luck tomorrow and have fun!
No watermelon today. Sorry. But had a big bowl of oatmeal with bananas before heading out for a 21 mile run. Cool pictures. Have a great race tomorrow.
Good luck tomorrow!!! I can’t wait to hear all about it!