Organizers keep you well informed about the marathon by sending you emails and letting you know of any news and changes. It was convenient to know that metro was opening at 5 a.m. on race day. The nearest metro station (DC Armory/RFK) is a block from the starting line. When I went to pick up my bib and timing chip the day before the race, everything was organized and there was no chaos. The free T-shirt I was given was nice and didn't look cheap at all. It's never a good idea with run more than 10 miles with a cotton t-shirt, I saw some people with bleeding nipples.
When i got to the race at 6 am, there were a least 4 thousand people running to the 100+ portable toilets outside the DC Armory and trying to get inside the building to warm up. My people parked at RFK and then we walked towards the DC Armory to warm up, temperature was in the 30s.
At 6:50, they told everyone to get out since the race was just about to start. I had never seen so many people (8,000 +) lined up getting ready to do one of the hardest thing (mentally and physically) I've ever done. I was supposed to go to coral #3 based on my qualifying time when I registered but I guess I could have gone to any of them since no one was checking.
Half and full marathoners start at the same time, I know some people don't like this but I was cool with it. The most important thing about running a marathon was having fun and I had the time of my life (even one of my friends said I looked happy at mile 13). There were lots of people at every mile and along the race cheering on their friends or just anyone running. There were police officers at almost every street corner controlling traffic. The water stops were spread out adequately and volunteers were awesome handing out water, Powerade, and GU gels.
Spectators were amazing, some of their signs were hilarious. One of best was this girl holding up a huge "nice legs!" sign (I told her to call me). When we got to Children's hospital, there was a lady welcoming people to DC. Well, after living in the DC area most of my life I had never been in this area...she was right, this was the real DC if you know what I mean. I started running a little faster.
My friends met me at mile 3, half, and before the finish line. That was real encouraging and motivated me a lot. After I crossed the finish line, I started getting muscle cramps and the medical team was awesome in taking me to a tent to stretch me, give me some ice and advil (I was crossing my finger for oxycodone, now that's good stuff). There was plenty of gatorade, water, bananas, pretzels, bagels, and oranges at the end. I know some people were complaining about the food. I had no problems, I was in no shape to eat a big mac or a whopper. Maybe some ice cream but you can't really ask for the world, you know.
Would I do it again? Yes, my first marathon was like a roller coaster - fun in the beginning, somewhat scary in the middle, and satisfying at the end. The medal given at the end was nice and made it official, no complaints from me.
To the kid who gave me water at the last water stop, you are gold. He looked right at me and yelled, "you can do it. You are almost there." I did it, in 3:19 minutes.... Sure I couldn't walk for two days but it was the best time of my life!
