2011 DC Marine Corps Marathon

[Tinkerboy00]

Anyone else running in this one.

This will be my first time AND my first FULL Marathon

 

[MouseDogMom]

Congratulations! You picked a great one. This will be my second Marine Corps (5th full.) I was injured last year and didn't have a particularly good time, so I'm trying again in hopes that I'll actually see some of the city while I'm running! But the support from the crowd is wonderful, and it's a terrific race.

Jackie

 

[FFigawi]

I'll be there too. This is one of my training races before heading to RnR Las Vegas in December.

 

[Navy Disney Fan]

First FULL MARATHON for me too. I usually run 6-9 Halfs a year but I wanted to step it up this time. Since I am retired NAVY, I wanted to be part of the Marine Corps Marathon, with all the amazing things said about this race. Then on to GOOFY in 2012 since I have already trained all year anyway....
I am excited

 

[bunnyfoo]

I'll be there! It will be my first time running MCM but my second full

 

[anewmac]

Not running but saw the title and had to say OORAH from this Marine Wife Good luck

 

[ludari]

Not this year but maybe 2012. Being a former Marine it's on my list.

 

[Tinkerboy00]

First FULL MARATHON for me too. I usually run 6-9 Halfs a year but I wanted to step it up this time. Since I am retired NAVY, I wanted to be part of the Marine Corps Marathon, with all the amazing things said about this race. Then on to GOOFY in 2012 since I have already trained all year anyway....
I am excited

Very similar to me!

I ran my first 5k, 10K and Half Marathon last year.

This year I am doing two Halfs and my first FULL, then Goofy Challenge in Jan 2012

Great to see so many Dis people running this one. Maybe we need a meetup at this race too?

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Me. First full. *gulp* And yeah, I'm running Disney 8 weeks later.

 

[MouseDogMom]

Very similar to me!
Great to see so many Dis people running this one. Maybe we need a meetup at this race too?

Vicky and I were already planning to get together at some point during the weekend, so it would be great to make it an official WISH meet. (Just don't tell DH... I'll just surprise him!) Maybe an early Saturday afternoon dinner? We're staying near the finish line, but after last year, I'm comfortable enough with the Metro to go pretty much anywhere in the city. If anyone has any recommendations, feel free!

Jackie

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

We are staying at the Key Bridge Marriott. It looked close.

 

[MouseDogMom]

We're at the Hyatt Arlington at Key Bridge. Assume that's close to you.

I knew after last year I'd pay pretty much anything to be at the finish line. I waited 90 minutes for a shuttle back to my hotel. Was NOT doing that this year!

Jackie

 

[FFigawi]

Very similar to me!

I ran my first 5k, 10K and Half Marathon last year.

This year I am doing two Halfs and my first FULL, then Goofy Challenge in Jan 2012

Great to see so many Dis people running this one. Maybe we need a meetup at this race too?

Uh-oh, more pressure to attend another meetup.

 

[bunnyfoo]

Vicky and I were already planning to get together at some point during the weekend, so it would be great to make it an official WISH meet. (Just don't tell DH... I'll just surprise him!) Maybe an early Saturday afternoon dinner? We're staying near the finish line, but after last year, I'm comfortable enough with the Metro to go pretty much anywhere in the city. If anyone has any recommendations, feel free!

Jackie

That sounds like a great idea to me! I'm staying with a friend who's in the Dupont Circle area so I'll just need directions or whatever on the Metro to get to the meet.

Uh-oh, more pressure to attend another meetup.

Now, now ...

 

[crewmatt]

I'm in for this as well. It's an awesome race. Slight change to the course this year for roadwork. Interested to see how it'll play out.

 

[Tinkerboy00]

Im totally up for a quick meet.

I guess we need to get on our hotel reservations so we dont wind up too far away.

We lived in DC for 5 years so know the city pretty well, and still have several friends in the area luckily. Another reason why we wanted to do this race.

 

[marathonmommy]

I think I am in...might register today with a charity. Will probably hook up with semper fi. Think I have talked a couple of colleagues into joining me. What hotels, with the possibility of availability, are near the finish. Right now, I have ressies at the holiday inn at key bridge. Is that within walking distance? Any benefits to staying in crystal city? How does that shuttle there work? Logistics, logistics....

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I think I am in...might register today with a charity. Will probably hook up with semper fi. Think I have talked a couple of colleagues into joining me. What hotels, with the possibility of availability, are near the finish. Right now, I have readies at the holiday inn at key bridge. Is that within wlking distance? Any benefits to staying in crystal city? How does that shuttle there work? Logistics, logistics....

We're staying at the Key Bridge Marriott.

 

[MouseDogMom]

We stayed in Crystal City last year. It was a great area - close to the Metro, lots of places to eat, and the shuttle stop was maybe 2 blocks from our hotel. VERY easy to get to the race start. Felt a lot like Disney while we were waiting for the bus at 5:00am!

The reason I'm not doing it again this year was the return. The line for the shuttle and the metro to get back to Crystal City was 90 minutes. We seriously considered taking a cab, but couldn't find one by the time we were desperate enough to do it. Getting out of the finish area is a mob scene, no matter how you do it, so we decided to just stay there this year so we could walk back to the hotel. Even if it's 4 or 5 blocks, it will be easier than standing in a shuttle line that winds for blocks and blocks. I'm sure it seemed worse than it was because I'd had a miserable race and was in a lot of pain, but after being on my feet since 4:00am, I wanted nothing more than to be in my room, and it was at least 4:00pm before we got back. 12 hours is a really, really long day!

From all the research I did, the Residence Inn Arlington is the closest, but it fills fast. The Hyatt, Holiday Inn Arlington/Key Bridge, and Courtyard Arlington are the next closest, followed by the Marriott. None are more than a few blocks. The finish festival covers a good portion of the Rosslyn area anyway.

One other thing about staying in Crystal City - you run through there at mile 23. It was very tempting to me, since I was having a tough race anyway, to just veer off the course and stop at my hotel! Fortunately, I'd planned for that possibility and left my room key in my checked bag. I would have had to wait for my roommate to get back since the room was in her name.

Jackie

 

[FFigawi]

From all the research I did, the Residence Inn Arlington is the closest, but it fills fast. The Hyatt, Holiday Inn Arlington/Key Bridge, and Courtyard Arlington are the next closest, followed by the Marriott. None are more than a few blocks. The finish festival covers a good portion of the Rosslyn area anyway.

Our group is staying at the Virginian. It's only a few blocks from the finish too.