The 2015 Marine Corps 17.75K

As I mentioned in my last post in 2013 I ran the Marine Corps 17.75K in order to get a guaranteed entry to the 38th Marine Corps Marathon. In 2014 I did not run either of these two races but I had heard the course changed from the previous year. Now in 2015 I knew I wanted to run the 40th Marine Corps Marathon and with the new lottery process in place from 2014 I decided that I should secure my spot by running the 17.75K this past Saturday March 28th. I also entered the lottery just in case something might happen to stop me from running the 17.75K and if I happened to get both entries I would give one to a friend....however I did not get in through the lottery so I HAD to run the 17.75K.

Registration

There are about 3,000 spots for the 17.75K and when the registration period opened at noon on March 11, 2015 just about a week and a half before the race I was ready sitting at my computer so I could get registered. I was lucky as my registration went through for this race which sold out in 7 minutes. I found that the registration process was very easy and only took me about 5 minutes as you had to fill in a bit of information. I heard from others who did not get in that they got to the payment page but then were kicked out and unable to register....I assume the way it works is that it lets you begin the registration process but depending on how fast others register if by the time you get the final page it sells out tough luck.

Packet Pickup 

The race took place in Prince William Forest Park in Dumfries, VA so naturally the packet pickup was close to this location which was a pain in the butt for those of us who don't live in that area especially since you only had one day to get your race packet which was a week day between the hours of 10AM and 6;30PM. Living in DC I would have to take 95 South to get there and waiting to go after work would be a nightmare since I would be stuck in rush hour traffic. So I decided to take the day off and pick up my race packet around 10AM to avoid traffic....95 is pretty much always backed up no matter what time. So on Friday a little before 10AM I left my house and headed to VA Runner over in Woodbridge near Potomac Mills. I ran into some traffic but nothing too crazy. The packet pickup was pretty straight forward and only took me about 5 minutes after which time I hopped back in my car to drive back home. At this point it was about 11AM and I noticed that 95 South was now very backed up and I was thankful I decided to leave my house when I did.

Race Day

The 2015 17.75K was scheduled to begin at 7AM on Route 234 right by Montclair Tabernacle Church. In order to get to the start if you were commuting like I did you had to go to one of three designated locations where a shuttle would drive you to the starting line. In 2013 the starting line was located a bit further east which was convenient for me at the time since I stayed at the Econo Lodge right across the street. This year there really were no hotels walking distance. There was a partner hotel with a shuttle but the nightly rate was quite steep. Anyways....so these shuttles ran every few minutes between 5:30AM-6:30AM. Runners were asked to be at the designated stations no later than 6:15AM. I figured I would have to use the restroom and check a bag before the race so I planned to be there by 6AM which mean I had to wake up at 5:20AM so I could get dressed, hop in my car, and drive the 30 miles from my parents' house in Alexandria. 

It was an extremely cold morning with temperatures below freezing...I think it was 30 out....I had planned on leaving my sweatshirt at the bag check so I would over heat but could have something to wear while I waited around. I boarded the shuttle at the commuter lot on 234 and when I arrived at the start it was about 6:15AM and it was freezing and dark out. I stood in line a few minuted to use the restrooms then I checked my bag. Now I had about 40 minutes until 7AM. So I looked for somewhere to wait that was more sheltered because not only was it cold it was also windy. There was no such place to find shelter...the church was open but those who got there very early had already filled it up to capacity so I stood with many other runners behind the Marine Corps RV to hide from the wind. 

One of the race sponsors Sentara handed out face masks for runners which were much needed and much appreciated as we all continued to freeze. I am not sure if it was poor planning or what but the sun was not scheduled to begin to rise until around 7AM so that may have been the reason the race was delayed about 15 minutes. We all stood near the start jumping up and down or doing whatever to try and warm up. My muscles felt so tight and when the race finally started I struggled about the first mile trying to warm up and get my muscles loose.

Hanging out with my face mask on by the Marine RV trying to keep warm pre-race

The course ran through Prince William Forest Park and was full of hills....soooo many hills. About the first 3.5 miles were on gravely trail then you were on a paved road for the 6 miles or so then back on to the trail for the remaining miles. I had not looked at the course map prior to the race so I thought it would be a out and back race when I spotted mile marker 10 near mile marker 1. Between miles 1 and 5.5 we seemed to continue to go up hill with some slight down hills. You would run on a flat for a few minutes only to see a giant hill looming up ahead. After mile marker 5 I was looking for the turnaround and looking forward to some downhill action but the turnaround never came and that is when I realized it wasn't out and back but somewhere along the course...mile 9 the course took you pack to the original path for the last 2 miles. At mile 9 we got back onto the trail and went downhill for a bit but then at about 9.3 miles we ran into a sharp uphill...at that point I still had not warmed up and my legs felt like lead so I attempted to run the hill but ended up walking it...when I got to the top of the hill I began to run again only to run into another hill around mile 10 but this time it was not as steep so I ran it. Once I crossed that finish line I was so happy that I was done and now had a medal (apparently this was new this year as in the past they gave finisher coins) and I had my access granted pass for the MCM. I was so tired and cold I decided to not go to the food and giveaway tents I just picked up my bag and hopped on the shuttle back to my car.

Finisher medal, race bib, and access granted card

This year's course was different from 2013 and much more difficult. I can't say if it was the same as last year since I did not run it. If it wasn't so cold I think this would have been a much more enjoyable race. It truly was a challenge and I was very proud to cross that finish even though my pace was about a minute per mile slower than usual. If you are looking for a challenge I would suggest signing up for this race especially if you also want to run the MCM just be prepared to perhaps take a day or half day off work to get your race packet if you are driving but don't live in the area and to get up very early and deal with the weather...in 2013 the weather was much nicer. 

The 2013 17.75K/Marine Corps Marathon and My Quest to Do Both Again in 2015

In October 2013 I ran my first full marathon…the 38^th Marine Corps Marathon. At first I had planned on training for it. I was running about 5-6 miles three times a week and attempting a longer run usually about 7 miles on the weekend and hoping I would eventually get into higher mileage. I was also getting speed work and hills in twice a week through Potomac River Running’s Running 201 program. I eventually did on 14 mile run on my own then decided long runs were too boring on my own and that the half marathons and ten milers I was signed up earlier that fall would be enough (I only did 3…definitely not enough). Come time for the marathon I wasn’t as prepared as I thought but hell I was going to do my first marathon. I had hoped to finish it in less than 4 hours but being unprepared mentally and physically got me across the finish line in a decent 4:14:57. My first marathon started out with me at a decent 8:10min/mile pace but I sped up and ended up activating (right word?) my ongoing piriformis issues around mile 7. For the remaining 19ish miles I ran/walked/jogged, stopped at the porta potties several times because of “stomach issues” (not sure what that was about…I didn’t eat all through the race except one Gu so that could be it). Eventually I finished and it was the best feeling ever and I had plans to do it all again in 2014 but to actually train this time.

My 2013 MCM Finisher Medal...the globe spins

A grainy photo I took as I waited at the start of the 38th MCM

Now for 2013 the registration process was first come first served but due to the mass number of registrants the systems kept crashing resulting in many complaints and a lottery system imposed for 2014 onward. Luckily for me in 2013 the 17.75k, another MCM Race series event, announced that the prize at the end would be an access code for a guaranteed entry to that year’s MCM. The 17.75K is run at the end of March in Prince William Forest Park in Virginia near Quantico.  In 2014 I missed the registration for the 17.75K and decided my second marathon would be the Richmond Marathon in November. I registered for it in November of 2013 so I had plenty of time to train….fast forward about 7 months and I have really aggravated my piriformis so much so that I am stuck not running for the next 5 months….that’s what running 6 halves, 3- 10 milers, and several other races in about three months will do to you if you don’t stretch and strengthen. So I deferred my Richmond Marathon entry to this coming November 2015.

My race bib, access granted card for the MCM, and finisher chip from the 2013 17.75K

In October 2014 I moved to DC…I’ve always lived near the city but never in it…so I got to experience all the hype of the 2014 MCM and see all the runners waddling to brunch after the race with their medals all around the city…this really made me jealous so from that point on I became determined to run the MCM once again in 2015 despite having another full just 3 weeks later. This time I plan to train smart.

To enter the MCM this year I sat ready at my computer waiting for the clock to say 12:00PM on March 11, 2015 and the registration for the 17.75K to open. I got in! Apparently the event limited to about 3,000 people (not sure that is correct but that’s what someone told me) sold out in about 7 minutes. The regular lottery process opened on March 13^th for 10 days. I also signed up for that just in case I don’t finish the 17.75K…if I do get into the lottery and finish the 17.75K then I would give my access code to a friend who may not have gotten in either way…hopefully I’ll end up getting in.

The 2015 17.75k is this Saturday March 28^th at 7AM and I should find out about my lottery entry tomorrow. I’ll let you know about how both turn out in my next post on Sunday. I’ll also provide you with a description of both the 17.75K and MCM in my race posts for this year that way they are fresher in my mind and more accurate. 

Stomach Issues on the Run

So last night I went to a gala with my boyfriend and had a fair amount of adult beverages and got home and ordered a pizza which we didn't finish but reheated and topped with a fried egg and bacon and a good amount of red pepper flakes for breakfast the next morning...I wasn't planning on doing anything physical the whole day so I used a lot of flakes....well the bf says he's going on a run about an hour after breakfast and since the weather was so nice out I decided I'd join him despite feeling the red pepper flakes start to react in my belly.

I've always been sensitive when it comes to eating before running. I usually wait at least 2 hours before going running after eating...I find if I do it sooner and haven't digested nature calls once I begin to run. So I tried to use the bathroom before we hit the pavement but alas I didn't really have to go at the time. About a mile in things started to go south and I could feel my stomach burning. I told the bf I had to call it quits and headed home while he continued. On my way home I decided to stop at a Safeway do my business and hopefully continue my run...I did all that but yet the stomach was not cooperating and I ended up at a total of 2 miles. 

Anyone else experience these sort of issues? My bf had no problems despite having the same meal as me at the same time and he said he's never had such issues. Many times I've tried walking my dog before a morning run so I could get my business done but don't get the urge until I'm about a mile into my run. Do I need to get up earlier? I've heard drinking coffe helps things love along but then I have other issues. It seems like my best option is after work runs but once it's summer these won't be pleasent 

The Rock N Roll Half DC 2015

This past Saturday March 14^th I ran the Rock N Roll Half DC for the third year in a row. At last year’s race I had finished in 1:45:21 and was hoping to get there or better this year but with my ongoing priformis issues I knew it would be a stretch…and boy was a right.

Race day was cold and rainy so I wore a The North Face’s Stormy Trail Jacket that had been advertised as “waterproof” with my new brooks tank top underneath and my Lululemon running tights. I thought about wearing a long sleeve tee under my jacket or another layer but I thought it would get warmer later in the race and I would overheat. That morning I got up got dressed, walked Lola, and used the restroom. While putting my timing tag on my running shoes I noticed the runner information wasn’t mine…but a young man’s…I looked my number online and confirmed that the race volunteer who gave me my bib must have suffered an episode of dyslexia and handed me bib 4765 instead of my bib 4675. I probably should’ve double checked the bib when she handed it to me but at the time I was in a rush, had only seen my number once, and I figured since I handed her a printout of my race confirmation slip she would’ve given me the correct one…well it was now race morning and nothing I could do about it…

I still hadn’t decided if I wanted to drive to my office, which is near the race, or just take the metro. I had originally planned to walk or bike home from the finish so I decided to metro to the start so I wouldn’t have to get my car later. I left my house about 45 minutes before the race start hoping I would get to my office by 7-7:10 so I could use the restroom again and head to the start. As I jogged to the metro I could feel that my muscles were super tight especially my lower back piriformis area…with the incorrect bib, tightness, and bad weather I knew I would struggle through this race but what I didn’t know was just how much.

Once I got to the metro station it turned out the next train wouldn’t arrive for 11 minutes and that meant I would have less time to use the restroom and relax before the race. Once I got out at Metro Center and used the restroom at my office I headed to the start. It was much colder than I thought and it was super wet out puddles everywhere.

From the start I struggled to warm up and settle into my normal pace. I stepped in numerous puddles and my shoes filled with water. As the miles went on I got stomach cramps, my muscles clammed up, my waterproof jacket soaked through and I was sooo cold and unable to maintain my normal running pace. Every step was painful but I was determined to finish. As the miles disappeared behind me and we arrived at Mile 11 on H St NE near my house I longed to take a detour and go home and warm up but I had only two miles left so I trudged on. When I finally saw the finish I was sooo happy and crossed the finish in 1:54:27 according to my watch…sadly I will never know my official time since I am sure once the real 4765 discovered his bib was missing they reassigned him a new number and deactivated 4765 as when I tried to look it up in the results it did not appear. At least I got to run the race and collect my medal because after all I did run the half and it wasn’t my fault the race volunteer gave me the wrong bib.

Map of the Rock N Roll race course

I already signed up for the 2016 Half since despite this year’s unfortunate events I still love running this race. My favorite thing about the Rock N Roll Half DC is the course….unlike many other DC races this race truly takes you throughout DC not just around the mall. What I do not like about this race is that the finish line chute forces runners to have to walk about a quarter mile up the parking lot to then have to turn around and walk about half a mile to the metro station. I find this to be very cruel since running 13.1 or 26.2 miles to have to walk some more is just torture especially on days like this year’s race where it was cold and rainy. Each step I took to get to the metro was just painful. I thought about taking an Uber home since if I metroed I would have to switch trains  and walk 5 blocks home but Ubers had a 3x surcharge so I decided to just metro and called my boyfriend to meet me at Metro Center and drive me the rest of the way home. On the metro ride back the metro as always had issues and left us in the tunnel about 10 minutes with the AC on. I was shivering uncontrollably when my boyfriend got me. I was never so happy to take a hot shower. Hopefully 2016 will bring more favorable weather.

2015 Half Marathon medal...different than the last two years

St Patrick's Day 5K and 10K

This weekend I ran my first race…well two races… of 2015…Pacer’s St. Patrick’s Day Double. This race consisted of running a 5K that began at 8:15AM followed 45 minutes later by a 10K. Runners taking part in the double would finish the 5K then have a break…or not…depending on how fast they ran the 5K before starting the 10K. Both races began and ended in the same location in front of the Washington Monument on 15^th St NW.

The weather race day was anything but favorable…temperatures where in the mid to high 20’s and it began sleeting a bit after 9AM. The course for the 5K began to the left of the Washington Monument…so you were facing towards Independence Ave...the course then turned right onto Independence and made its way onto Ohio drive and eventually turned around just after the Memorial Bridge overpass and then continued along the tidal basin and around the Jefferson Memorial before making its way onto Raoul Wallenberg Pl back toward the Washington Monument. The 10K course followed a similar route but went down Rock Creek Parkway to the turn around right after the Kennedy center from their the course looped back around to Ohio Drive going around the tidal basin and the Jefferson Memorial then up Maine Avenue turning left on to Independence where at the intersection with 23^rd St the second turn around led you back onto Independence towards Kutz Bridge after which you followed the same route as the 5K back to the Washington Monument finish. So the run it’s self was very pretty and scenic mostly flat with just a few hills.

Starting line for both the 5K and 10K

I ran the 5K in just over 23 minutes and was still feeling my bumps and bruises from falling down the stairs earlier that week and my ongoing hip issues…my left hip/piriformis gets really tight when running and causes to have poor running form that results in piriformis pain…it was getting better with yoga but this past week I was lazy and only went on Monday then fell down the stairs Thursday…anyways so upon completing the 5K I had about 20 minutes before the start of the 10K so I went to use the restroom and blow my nose. Those 20 in between minutes were not good to my already sore muscles which stiffened as they cooled down in the frigid temps. I made the decision to take it easy on the 10k as to prevent any injuries. I ran the 10K course which became a little slippery once the sleet started to fall and the little ice particles coming down and into my eyes was not pleasant. However I finished the 10K and was very happy to do so and happy that I took it easy and didn’t cause myself further injury before the Rock n Roll DC Half.

Runners huddled around the aide tents between races on a dreary day

To summarize the St. Patrick’s Day 5K and 10K were both very nice races and I am sure they would have been much more enjoyable in more favorable weather and if I wasn't injured. I will definitely being registering again next year since this course is one of my favorites in DC.

Next weekend I am doing the Georgetown 10 Miler 2 Day Challenge…running a 10 mile race on Saturday and another one on Sunday. I plan on going to yoga pretty much all week and taking these two races at a moderate pace as well. 

Office Race Times for St Patrick's Day 5K and 10K

5K-  23:34

10K-51:48