We beat Al Gore
Written: Oct 22 '00
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: well organized, good time of year (October), great one for beginners
Cons: Pentagon parking lot and bad weather
|
|
|
| monkeyhoot's Full Review: Marine Corps Marathon |
Yeah, we beat Al Gore in the Marine Corps Marathon. Kicked his and his secret service guys sorry behinds! But hundreds of people beat us since we finished in 4 hours and 30 minutes. Ouch.
It was my husband's idea to run a marathon. He is usually a bright man... if anything will tell you if you've found a compatible mate, training for a marathon together will. Going on 18 mile practice runs does not put people in their best moods.
This was our only marathon and it will be my last, but it's not because of the Marines or this race in particular. I just don't find running that long to be the best use of my time!
In fact, this race was so well organized it blew my mind. There were thousands of people running and they had places for everyone. They had busses take everyone to the start line. Even the expo they held the day before was beautifully run. We registered and picked up our numbers without a problem.
However, we went on the first day when not everyone was there, and noticed on the second day that the lines were long.
The weather was horrible. Cold and wet. The race was gruelling physically and mentally. But when we finished a big Marine was standing there with a warm space poncho for me and a medal. He said, "congratulations - good job!" I cried.
I can't imagine how difficult it would be to organize an event of this proportion. The materials they sent us at the outset were extremely helpful - recommending hotels and giving us tips about how to save money and beat crowds.
The race itself was clearly marked and there was liquid at every water stop. That's pretty good considering how many people passed through that water stop before us! It would have been spirit crushing had there not been water at an anticipated stop. Stuff like that can really screw you up mentally.
We picked the Marine Corps Marathon because several books and local marathoners said it was a good one for beginners. The course is flat, the sites are usually beautiful and the weather in October in Washington D.C. is usually perfect running weather (42 degrees). Our grey, cold and wet day ruined any pretty sites, but the course was wonderfully flat. It's a bit boring at times and at one point you are running around the Pentagon's parking lot.
You must seriously train for a marathon and I'd recommend reading up on training and asking people who have run one. You need to start at least four months ahead and be pretty regimented about it. You need to learn how and what to eat while running. You need to learn how to hydrate yourself well.
All in all I'm glad I can say I've run a marathon. I would never have done it without my husband and we had a really good time together but it is no walk in the park.
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
monkeyhoot
|
|
Member: Joyce
Location: Lawrenceville, NJ
Reviews written: 37
Trusted by: 12 members
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.