Hello! Last night I had a very fancy dinner of pizza and Fire Ale (Fireball + Ginger Ale). I’m happy with that life choice.
I may have stayed out a little too late so my run wasn’t the best. But I’m pretty happy I ran at all considering.
Anyway – you’re probably here for some tips on running the Marine Corps Marathon! So let’s get to it…
Marine Corps Marathon Tips
The Marine Corps Marathon is only 9 days away! I ran it last year and it was one of the top 3 races out of the 20+ I did! I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for an awesome marathon.
Tips for Running the Marine Corps Marathon:
1. Get to the expo early! I waited in a very long line to get my bib.
2. Try to book a hotel near the finish. This made for an easy walk to an ice bath. I’ve heard public transportation gets super jammed.
3. Have your camera ready! There are a lot of great sights and landmarks from running past Georgetown to a majestic line of flags with pictures of servicemen and women to the memorials and more. It’s an AMAZING course! If you’re not going for a PR consider snapping pictures and enjoying the course.
4. Bring some throw away gear. It’s going to be cold as you walk to the start – make sure you pack something to wear that you can toss. Put this on your packing list so you’re not scrambling on race weekend to find something.
5. Enjoy the finish! Once you cross the finish line a Marine Corps Lieutenant will place a medal on you.
Then, there is a long line of Marines waiting to shake your hand. It is the most awesome finish line experience ever.
Check out my race recaps for more insight:
Question: What did you have for dinner last night?
I loved running MCM! It was my first marathon, and it’s a great experience all around,
My boyfriend ran the MCM 2 years ago and I went to watch- it is an awesome race for spectators! (I’m from DC and still loved it, haha) the race doubles back in some pretty close areas so you can see your runner from a lot of different points!
Great tips. I ran MCM last year and will be running again this year (how lucky is that?!). I live in D.C. and run past the mouments all the time, but it never ever gets old. Taking time to just enjoy the atmosphere is so important.
Perfectly timed tips! I’m not running MCM this year, but after getting all inspired at Chicago last weekend, I decided I really want to do Marine Corps next year! I’ve heard great things about it, and I love the monuments in D.C. Now that I’ve gotten the official RER stamp of approval I’m definitely going to have to do it! 🙂
That pizza looks delicious!
We had a weirdly traditional “Sunday dinner” type meal with pot roast and mashed potatoes. Super yummy though!
Thanks for the tips! I am looking forward to running this race at the end of the mth. I will take these into consideration.
Damn… that pizza looks really good.
You had me at pizza and fireball. I don’t have either of those so I guess I will settle with cucumber Vodka and cucumber Dry Soda.
Thanks for the tips! I’m running it and can’t wait! Kinda in the just want to get it over with stage right now. I’m have to super taper meal of pizza and porter with the pats on.
Good tip with staying near the finish line. When I ran it it was just a huge mass of people going toward the Metro. If you get claustrophobic or have anxiety about that type of thing, you don’t want to try the Metro, it is a zoo! I always get choked up (and being able to breath is important during a marathon!) when I see the rows of flags. Gets to me every time.
I had smoked chicken tacos for dinner last night! Yum!
I would love to run the MCM, though it would feel huge compared to every other race I have run.
Dinner last night was salad, steak and baked potatoes, delicious.
How great that the marines all shake your hand at the end! I feel for them with all the sweaty runners’ palms they’ll be touching though!
Oh my…what is a fireball??? I LOVE ginger ale…. totally jealous right now even though you’re not inhaling that right this second.
I live in DC and still haven’t done this one! Mayhaps I’ll go downtown this year to check out the atmosphere, it sounds amazing!
That’s right! Last year you were flying everywhere and running everywhere!
MMMM fire-ale. Me likey the sound of that.
Just reading your tips make me want to run that marathon!! What an awesome experience!! I had a celebratory Pumkick beer last night after the Royals won (baseball). Then grilled chicken with veggies and mac and cheese.
Marine Corps looks amaaaaazing! Someday I’m gonna fly to the US and run a bunch of races there, this might have to be one of them! Looks so cool. ……the pizza ain’t too bad either 😉
I LOVE THIS RACE!!! Great tips – I’m running it for my second time and the expo line was CRAZY last year. I think I waited around 2 hours just to get into DC Armory. Insane. But, worth it 🙂
I ran the MCM last year too, my first marathon. I’d add as a tip that you should have a mantra to get you over The Bridge after mile 20…it was like the walking dead out there!
ooo great drink combo and pizza choice!! I’d do the same, but diet and rum 😉