Around mile 3, I took some video...
We drove to DC on Friday. Checked into the hotel. Took the Metro over to the DC Armory for the Expo which I had hopes was going to be good. The expo was disappointing with a bunch of empty booths and several more just selling junk like sweat bands. It was disappointing. We headed back to the hotel for dinner and got to bed around 8:30ish.
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| The view of the Capitol from outside the hotel at 6am. |
I requested a wake up call but still woke up several times with bad dreams about over sleeping. Leaving the hotel so early was fine and I decided to get a cab to the start line. I met some other participants outside the hotel and we split the cab fare. Traffic close to the stadium was awful so we ended up just walking the last couple of blocks. It was really exciting seeing everyone pumped for the race but SO COLD. Of course I brought my nice running gloves and then they gave a us a pair at the expo (The kind that you wouldn't feel bad throwing off as you run), I forgot BOTH at the hotel!
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| The scene outside RFK stadium in the corrals around 6:45am |
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| Sun rising, Capitol on right |
They assigned everyone corrals according to your estimated pace or the prerequisite race time you had to send in when registering (not sure which). I stood in my corral, stretched and anxiously waited for my friends to arrive as I read their text messages about being stuck in traffic. The corrals started moving toward the start line and I never found my friends before the race.
The beginning of the race was the best part in terms of stuff to look at. The sun coming up over the monuments was really spectacular. The rest of the race through the neighborhoods was cool but I had no idea where I was in relation to the finish line. I didn't even really enjoy running with so many people. I was never quite sure of my pace or if I was just stuck behind someone. I was shocked how many people ran with bare feet or plastic sock things that are practically bare feet. While I was quite happy with my time, it was kind of a bummer that the actual clock was about 11 minutes behind my "net" time . The lack of mile markers and spectators was probably the most disappointing part. Then, the most ill planned part of this event -- the finish line was jammed with people. I was so nauseous when I finished and it was a little scary to be that close to so many people. Who ever planned the event thought it was a good idea to hand out medals at the finish line rather than water. The line for water and food was ridiculous. I think I may have rolled in at a very popular time though because my friend rolled across the finish line a little later than me and just breezed through everything (meanwhile I was slightly traumatized).
Mission accomplished. I feel good but I am still wrapping my brain around the fact that the race is over. As I reread some older blog posts I am reminded of how much work I put in over the last several months. My kids were excited for me and I got the "good job" from my near and dear friends and family. But I have to admit there was a special pride in my heart when I told my WW meeting. So many of them are moms and I just feel like they get it. They get how hard it is to fit everything in and put yourself first sometimes. Two woman actually told me I was inspiring. I mean how great is that? That's such a nice compliment way better than "You look great."
Unfortunately I would say pretty much all of last week I ate terribly. I weighed in up 1.2 lbs. I am down 24.8lbs as week 25 commences. Just a bump in the road. I also have a little virus or something right now which is just completely annoying, as they say life continues to happen. This week I am going to work on coming up with my new plan for exercising and eating as well as planning my next goal.
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