Running a big marathon in famous place has its own charm. So I was excited to be in Marine Corps Marathon through lottery way back in March, as I knew I would be running two of the biggest in world - First Paris then Washington D.C in the same year. And finally in October 2014, 6 months after Paris I got my chance to run one of the biggest marathons in U.S.
I started from Richmond on early Saturday morning by very first Amtrak ride (yes..first ever) ride. Sub-two hours journey with no driving, wi-fi, scenery and decent coffee too. I reached DC Armory before noon expecting moderate crowd, and i never been this wrong. There was a quarter of a mile long queue to get in the expo. It moved fast, but still took good time to reach the gate,
At the gate, Security asked to keep all eatables outside (including sealed ones). So rather reluctantly, i kept all my gels, bars outside unsecured. The place was a familiar one, as i was here for Rock n Roll DC expo in March, except this time Marines were manning all stations. The Bib was colorful, the T-shirt good (rather snug) but not much to see around, so i headed out.
Only to find my gels, bars all gone. I looked around but no sign of them. I asked a few people but no one had any idea. I was disappointed. The irony was that it happened at Marine Corps Marathon. I still had a day to recover from my misfortune, and to arrange for all the lost stuff.
I was up before my series of 5 alarms could start ringing at 4:30 am, exactly 90 minutes after my brain allowed me get some sleep (after deflecting my ever attempt to sleep for 4 hours). So yes, i woke up disoriented an tired. I grabbed my chicken sandwich and coffee for early breakfast, and got ready. I was outside by 5:30. It was still dark but not cold. The Mt.Vernon Metro was easy 5 minutes walk, so i was in no hurry. At the platform there was just one another person. Yes, a fellow marathoner. The train arrived quickly before we could finish our marathon pleasantries. We were surprised to see just two other runners in the coach. Our combined surprise only lived till the next station where the platform was as crowded as 9 AM on a weekday.
Music and announcements were buzzing from the speakers all over start area. The start was still an hour away, so i lied down to clear the cobwebs from my mind, which turned out to be a good idea, as i was much better after 30 mins of lying down on cold asphalt.
Part 2 - The start line
And, that was not all, two Apache (i think!) attack helicopters flew overhead couple of times. I was all ready now, to make this marathon 26.2 miles to remember.
The start was quick and in 10 minutes my wave was near the start line. I could see the two big red inflatable gates and people throwing away what they don't need to the side. The sidewalks were full of discarded clothes, plastic wraps, bags and bottles. At least they were not in the road or required maneuvering like I had to do in Paris.
Part 3 - Who starts with a HILL? The first 10 miles
Part 0 - Not every Expo is a great One
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| Long shadows longer queue |
At the gate, Security asked to keep all eatables outside (including sealed ones). So rather reluctantly, i kept all my gels, bars outside unsecured. The place was a familiar one, as i was here for Rock n Roll DC expo in March, except this time Marines were manning all stations. The Bib was colorful, the T-shirt good (rather snug) but not much to see around, so i headed out.
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| 24851 - The Bib |
Only to find my gels, bars all gone. I looked around but no sign of them. I asked a few people but no one had any idea. I was disappointed. The irony was that it happened at Marine Corps Marathon. I still had a day to recover from my misfortune, and to arrange for all the lost stuff.
Part 1 - After the sleepless night
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| The early morning and the crowded 'marathon' metro |
The start area was around 20 minute walk from station. The temp here was much lower than the city. I followed a few first timers discussing DOs and DON'Ts of their first marathon. Uniformed marines welcomed runners before the security check-in and wished good luck for the run.
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| Marines jumping out of plane. This was thrilling ! |
Part 2 - The start line
The start line was huge, as big as Paris. I looked around to place familiar faces from Richmond but couldn't. I entered the 4:30-5:00 line. MCM does not assign Bib based on specific pace or put your corral numbers on Bib, so runners could get in with their favorite pace group. The start line announcements and music were rising the tempo. And then Marines started jumping from the plane with American flag. That was the most amazing thing to get the blood flowing before the race.
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| The Start line views |
The start was quick and in 10 minutes my wave was near the start line. I could see the two big red inflatable gates and people throwing away what they don't need to the side. The sidewalks were full of discarded clothes, plastic wraps, bags and bottles. At least they were not in the road or required maneuvering like I had to do in Paris.
Part 3 - Who starts with a HILL? The first 10 miles
My wave crossed
the giant orange float, and immediately greeted with marines holding flags of
different countries. I don't know but my guess is the flags were of countries
where American marines have served since inception. We were on a slight uphill
by end of mile 1. The mile 2 was a hill in itself, albeit small. First half
mile we went up then we came down. There were marines at every mile marker
supporting the runners. Some of them showed tough love too, like the marines
shouting at large man walking up the hill on mile 3 ' You can do better than that.
Start running now'. As we
reached the end of mile 3, the hill was also over. When I reached the 5K mark,
it was already ~34 mins and a Michael Jackson look alike was entertaining the
runners from side lines. Mile 4 was a very fast downhill to the Potomac river
side. It was a beautiful mile with a castle (Georgetown University) on the
other side of the river. The route was relatively flat now. In mile 5 we
crossed the Potomac river and officially entered DC by crossing Virginia state
line.
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| Clock wise from top - Mile 1 - Marine with Flags, Mile 4 - Potomac River, Mile 5 - Crossing to DC, Mile 5 - To waterfront Park, Mile 6 - Hi-fiving marines, Mile 8- Crowded from both sides |
We approached
Potomac from the other side now. There were lot of spectators near the
Georgetown waterfront park and a float gate was made for runners to pass
through. I reached 10K mark after 1:05. I was at a comfortable
pace. I was clicking pictures and making small talk with runners. I was
enjoying the race. The runner were coming from opposite side on left side now.
With so many runners on both sides it was really crowded. We ran under a few
bridges. Spectators were shouting from top of them. The turnaround was at near
mile 7.5. Again, we crossed the same bridges. I looked at my watch at 15K
marker (9.3 miles) I already ran .15 extra. Mile 10 we approached the heart of
national mall. We were running next to Potomac river, which looked beautiful on
a sunny day. I was hovering around 11 min pace and feeling good.
Part
4 - Miles in National Mall - Miles 11 to 20
There were so many
people everywhere. We crossed Watergate steps in mile 11. Not just the runners
but spectators, tourist, locals, other runners on a regular run, bikers were
there. Some cheering, some amused and some looking confused with so many people
running on middle of the road. It was amazing to run in this place. A flock of
geese flew over the runners honking in encouragement. We could see Jefferson
memorial sitting perfectly next to Tidal basin. I always feel that it is the
most perfectly placed memorial in DC, just near the water. The route took us to
'East Potomac Park' in mile 13. The views were amazing. Potomac river on one
side and the green trees on the other. I was halfway at mile marker 13.1 in
2:26 hrs.
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| Clockwise from top - Mile 11 - Alongside Potomac, Mile 12 - Jefferson Memorial, Mile 14 - Runners with Flags, Mile 17 - The funny poster, Mile 18 - Washington Monument, Mile 19 - Capitol |
We ran the
periphery of Potomac Park in mile 14. I was tired so I walked for some time
sipping on water. There were groups running with American and Marine flags. Many were running in memory of fallen soldiers. As we turned towards national mall, I could see the tall
structure of Washington monument from far. After the mile marker I was back to
running. Mile 15 took us back towards National mall. We passed the tidal basin
and Jefferson memorial (again) in mile 16. We were in the independence Avenue
in mile 17 and we passed World War I memorial and approached the Washington
monument. I was in my run-walk mode now. I was tired but enjoying the show. We
passed Smithsonian museums in mile 18 towards Capitol building. The setting was
kind of surreal for me. Running alongside famous landmarks with so many other
runners while receiving cheers and hi-fives from marines and supporters.
Tourist clicking our pictures as if we were the main attraction. I even stopped
and shamelessly asked a by stander to take my picture in front of Capitol building
in mile 19. And it was not just me. There were many runners like me, who rather
than looking at time in their watches were looking around, taking pictures and
having fun. We passed the Smithsonian castle in mile 20 and left the national
mall. I finished mile 20 just after 4 hrs.
Part 5 - The
hard 'walking' miles - Miles 20-25
As if I was suddenly
out of a running fantasy, we were in the highway now. US route 1. No
spectators, no supporters. Yes, Marines were still there, but the route was
suddenly boring. We were on a flyover with no shade in mile 21. The next mile
(22) we were back on the Virginia side towards Pentagon and thankfully out of
the highway. There were people again on the sides, supporters too. We were in
the Crystal city climbing an out and back hill in mile 23. I was walking just
like all the other walkers around me. Some sprinklers were setup along the way,
which were a relief in the heat. The turnaround point was mid way in mile 24,
and then I 'walked' downhill to the next water stop at mile marker 24,
which had small donuts from Dunkin Donuts in cups. I was kind of hungry now
too. I ate that and a handful of regular M&Ms. I was clocking 14 min mile
now. Mostly walking, but I knew I will finish the race. The advantage of
running big race is that you are never alone. You always have fellow runners to
talk with; discussing the route, past runs, injuries, next plans etc. I saw the
40K sign in mile 25. My watch was at 5:10 hrs with another 1.3 miles to
go.
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| Clockwise from top - Mile 21 - Boring US route 1, Mile 23 - Sprinklers, Mile 24- Downhill Mile, Mile 25 - 40K mark near start line |
Part 6 - The
Finish
We passed the
starting point. The tents were still there but the place was empty. It did not
take long after that to reach the 26 mile marker. Many tired runners including
me now wanted to run the next 0.2 miles and I ran. I crossed the yellow finish
line in 5:29:03 (12:32 pace), which was on expected lines. I was happy to have
another big marathon after Paris under my belt. Marines were there to
give the medals. And no, he did not hand me the beautiful medal. He placed the medal
around my neck. Saluted, shook hands and congratulated. Only if I could record
that moment. It was special.
This was a great
race. Efficiently organized. The route was beautiful except the last few miles,
but then they are always hard in any marathon. I hope to get another chance to
do it again someday.
