Marine Corps Marathon: Arlington, Virginia, October 29, 2023 – Marathon #35
Well, this has been quite a week! I’ve been battling illness most of the week, trying to stay hydrated and get ready for this race, which I’ve been looking forward to ever since I signed up. This is my 6th consecutive marathon in my 11-week streak, so the body is feeling it. But this race is extra special because my friend Rene—the one who makes sure I actually get to all these marathons—is coming along for the trip.
I’ve heard so many great things about the Marine Corps Marathon (MCM), and I was definitely excited. I also checked the weather forecast for Arlington: temperatures were expected to be around 78-80°F with high humidity. Ouch! It seemed like the Marines had special-ordered the weather just for us.
Friday – Arrival and Expo
Rene and I arrived on Friday and went straight to the expo to pick up my bib. I always like to get that out of the way first since you can’t race without it. After we walked around the expo for a bit, we found a spot for dinner. We had already decided that Saturday would be for sightseeing since the race wasn’t until Sunday.
Saturday – A Day of Sightseeing and New Friends
Saturday morning, I realized I hadn’t even figured out where the start line was or where Rene should go, so I convinced her to head back to the expo for those last-minute details. I thought it would be quick, but when we arrived, we had to wait 15 minutes in line just to get in! And by the time we left, the line was wrapped around the building. There were so many runners!
Once we had everything sorted, we headed out to explore the sights. Our first stop was the U.S. Capitol Building. While we were taking pictures, I noticed a group of officers standing near the entrance. Anyone who knows me knows I’m always looking for an opportunity to thank officers or military personnel for their service. So, I approached them, and that’s when we met Officer Big Dqqky—yes, that’s really his name on his business card. I asked about his unique name, and he explained that his colleagues gave him the nickname because he used to be an honor guard at Arlington National Cemetery and rode a horse. We chatted for a while, and I shared my marathon journey. He even introduced us to a few other officers, and we took some pictures. He gave me patches to send to my four brothers who are all officers. It was such a cool experience. I plan to come back and tour the Capitol when I have more time.
We did manage to go inside, but we ended up chatting a little too long, so we had to rush through the rest of the building.
Sunday – Race Day
On race morning, I was up early, feeling surprisingly good despite still battling that sinus issue. I let Rene sleep in a bit while I headed to the shuttle so I could get to Runners Village early. After seeing the long lines at the expo, I wasn’t sure what to expect on race day, but I was pleasantly surprised by the organization. The race started near the Pentagon, which was super cool to see. I got there early enough to relax and talk with some of the young Marines who were helping with the race. I was really impressed with these young people. They were so respectful and kind—something that’s been lacking in society lately. It was a refreshing reminder of how people used to treat each other.
The race course was great, but the weather was a challenge. It was hot and humid, which made it hard to get the kind of pace I usually aim for. Still, I was glad to finish. The course ended up being closed early due to the heat, but I kept pushing forward. I did have a little mishap at the end when I stepped in a hole going up the final hill and rolled my ankle. It hurt, but the show had to go on.
The Final Phase – The Race to the Airport
For the final phase of our trip, Rene and I decided to see just how close we could cut it when trying to board our flight home. Ten minutes before boarding, I was still at the rental car (not at the airport). We made it through TSA with just one minute to spare before boarding. Rene jokingly said she didn’t sign up for this “race,” but she was a trooper, and we made it on the flight just in time.
Next Up – Marshall University, West Virginia
Next week, I’ll be putting one foot in front of the other at Marshall University in West Virginia. Can’t wait to see what adventures await me there!