National Marathon and Half Marathon

[roomthreeseventeen]

I'm only about 3 miles away...I think I'm going to taxi as close to the start as I can. Seems like no other option!

I switched my hotel to one 1.5 miles from the corrals, so I can walk if I have to.

 

[cloudnut220]

I just checked weather underground for the preliminary race day weather...and it looks like upper 40s with a chance of rain and snow. Guess I'll be wearing a long sleeve under my team t shirt.

Speaking of the team, we're Foodtila The Hon, so if you see someone in gray under armour with that on the back and Beth on the front, it's probably me, so say hi!

 

[fashionista311]

I'm staying at the host hotel in dupont circle, so i'll have to cab it before the race.

For after the race, I was hoping to have the boyfriend come pick me up..i'm afraid trying to catch a cab back will be a nightmare. Do you guys think he will be able to come pick me up (there's no way I'm going to have him wake up at 5 am to drive me to the start and then hang around while i race)? Or is this a horrible idea because all the streets will be closed down and he'll have a nightmare getting to me? He would like to see me finish, but if he doesn't it's really not the end of the world to me.

 

[FireDancer]

I'm staying at the host hotel in dupont circle, so i'll have to cab it before the race.

For after the race, I was hoping to have the boyfriend come pick me up..i'm afraid trying to catch a cab back will be a nightmare. Do you guys think he will be able to come pick me up (there's no way I'm going to have him wake up at 5 am to drive me to the start and then hang around while i race)? Or is this a horrible idea because all the streets will be closed down and he'll have a nightmare getting to me? He would like to see me finish, but if he doesn't it's really not the end of the world to me.

I would have him take the Metro to see you finish and then both of you can take the metro back to the hotel. I wouldn't want to deal with trying to get to the start with road closures and I also imagine a lot of the lots will be full since more people will be driving to the start because of the Metro not being opened as early as last year.

The DC Metro is extremely easy to figure out if you haven't used it before and there is a stop right in DuPont Circle.

 

[cloudnut220]

So a question for those who have done this race before.

How strict is National with the "you must arrive no later than XXX" times. I'm trying to figure out how early my relay team needs to leave Baltimore. I'm not worried about me since I'm running the first leg, which will mean walking from the parking lot to another parking lot by 6.30. I'm worried about the runner of our second leg, who is going to have to get from the car, to the metro and then to farragut west by 6.45.

Is National Disney strict? Or like most other races I've seen, where they'll let you slide in a few minutes late?

 

[cloudnut220]

Also, does anyone remember a family reunion area or anything?

 

[fashionista311]

I would have him take the Metro to see you finish and then both of you can take the metro back to the hotel. I wouldn't want to deal with trying to get to the start with road closures and I also imagine a lot of the lots will be full since more people will be driving to the start because of the Metro not being opened as early as last year.

The DC Metro is extremely easy to figure out if you haven't used it before and there is a stop right in DuPont Circle.

thanks! we ran it by our friends in the area and they both voted for the metro too. honestly, i don't even care if he sees me crosses the finish line (he's seen me run plenty and this will not be a pretty race in terms of time for me), i just don't want to get lost making my way back to the hotel...i have ZERO sense of direction

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Guys, new race time temperature prediction according to Weather Underground is 25.

 

[FireDancer]

Guys, new race time temperature prediction according to Weather Underground is 25.

I hope not. Weather Channel has the low for Saturday as 34 which I could deal with (high of 47).

 

[verticalchaos]

Guys, new race time temperature prediction according to Weather Underground is 25.

Amy, just repeat this to yourself: I have run a Half in single-digit temps. I have run a Half in single digit temps.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Amy, just repeat this to yourself: I have run a Half in single-digit temps. I have run a Half in single digit temps.

LOL. Manhattan was 14, which isn't exactly single digits, although it felt like it.

I guess my hand warmers can go in my suitcase where the shorts were supposed to be.

 

[verticalchaos]

LOL. Manhattan was 14, which isn't exactly single digits, although it felt like it.

I guess my hand warmers can go in my suitcase where the shorts were supposed to be.

I was counting in wind-chill. Didn't that put it at single-digit? Or maybe I was just extra cold in my little 20-yard pacing area. LOL.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I was counting in wind-chill. Didn't that put it at single-digit? Or maybe I was just extra cold in my little 20-yard pacing area. LOL.

Yeah, it was like 8 or something.

I'm reconsidering my mile and a half walk from the hotel to the corrals. Might spring for a cab.

 

[cloudnut220]

I can't believe how cold it's going to be, especially since we've had such a warm march so far! I think I'll be staying in the car as long as possible!

For those of you staying Saturday night, the Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang is talking snow http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs...mp-win-out-snow/2011/03/11/ABQOb1LB_blog.html

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

The Armory will be open and warm. No need to stay in the car.

 

[fashionista311]

weather.com just updated to low a 34, high of 47 with partly cloudy

keep your fingers crossed for warmer temps!!!

 

[cloudnut220]

It just occurred to me that it might actually be worse AFTER I finish my leg of the race and I'm waiting for the rest of the team to finish. I better make sure I have some dry and warm clothes somewhere!

 

[marathonmommy]

I am such a cold WIMP! UGH! At least we get to wait inside for much of the pre-race, according to the info provided. I hope they don't make all corrals line up at the same time . . . I'm in corral 9!

 

[cloudnut220]

I am such a cold WIMP! UGH! At least we get to wait inside for much of the pre-race, according to the info provided. I hope they don't make all corrals line up at the same time . . . I'm in corral 9!

Everyone's going to be doing that final call to the line! It will be crazy!

 

[verticalchaos]

I am such a cold WIMP! UGH! At least we get to wait inside for much of the pre-race, according to the info provided. I hope they don't make all corrals line up at the same time . . . I'm in corral 9!

Unless they have wave starts for each corral separately, you probably will all be lining up at the same time. In the NYC Half last weekend, shortly before the Star Spangled Banner they began collapsing the corrals into one group and we all started at the same time. I'm pretty sure that's what they did with the Manhattan Half too, though I was a course marshall on the other end of the park for that one. In my admittedly small experience with HMs, Disney is the only one I've experienced that gives each corral their own start.