Any Marine Corp Marathon and Washington DC Tips, Tricks and Must Do’s?
I have never ran the Marine Corp Marathon before, but I am excited to run it this year. It is the last weekend in October and I’m starting to look for advice.
Has anyone ran the Marine Corp before? Any tips?
Anyone live in the area and can tell me what weather is like that time of year?
I’m bringing my husband and 3 year old with me and it is my first time to Washington DC. Any advice on MUST sees? Other than Lincoln which is top of my list.
I feel confident with the miles, but is there anything along the course that you found hard or a surprise?
I would love any and all info I can get.
Peace Love Run 🙂
Karen @karenlovestorun | 16th Aug 13
I didn’t know you were running MCM! How exciting! I love DC, it’s a beautiful city, especially in the fall. I don’t have any tips on the race because I haven’t run that one…but I have been to DC plenty of times.
First, the National Mall is BIG…I wouldn’t suggest walking it the day before (aka: I did this the day before the NWM HM and I got a terrible blister and I was exhausted at the end of the day). I would try to do all of the monuments and big things. When you go to the Capital Building, the Botanical Garden (it’s inside) is next door and I always think it’s beautiful in there.
The weather should be cool, definitely chilly in the morning but if the sun is out it should warm up nicely (meaning mid 60’s maybe? 70’s if it’s warm).
My uncle has run the race over 10 times! I should ask him for some tips to pass along 🙂
Karen @karenlovestorun
Half Crazy Mama | 16th Aug 13
Thank you Karen! Great tips!!! I’ve always wanted to run MCM and I got in this year. I’ve also always wanted to visit DC so I am happy about that too. 🙂
Jenn @ Fairest Run of All | 16th Aug 13
Greetings from the DC suburb of Bethesda, Maryland! I bring glad tidings from the red line.
DC in October is an interesting transitional period where you may find yourself in a mild summer or a brisk early autumn depending on nature’s whims. It’s hard to say exactly what you’ll encounter until you’re close enough for a solid forecast. However, I feel confident in saying that over the course of my lifetime here I don’t remember any bitterly cold Octobers, so you’re unlikely to need to pack any winter weather gear.
The National Mall IS big – Karen is correct! But the museums are free and there’s some great stuff in them. I particularly enjoy the Natural History Museum, with its awesome ocean and dinosaur halls, and the Freer Art Gallery holds a special place in my heart for its Peacock Room by James McNeill Whistler. The American History Museum has a lot of interesting memorabilia, like a pair of ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz.
If you’re looking for food, Dupont Circle has a lot of good restaurants and a Hello Cupcake bakery right by the Metro exit. 😀 Chinatown is also well developed and is accessible via red, yellow, and green lines. Let me know if you have any more specific questions! 🙂
Half Crazy Mama | 16th Aug 13
You are awesome!!! Thank you so much!!!
Bonnie | 16th Aug 13
We took the kids last year and went to the Air and Space and Natural History Museums. They were neat. I don’t recommend walking from the mall to the Lincoln Memorial. It is so much farther than it looks! I’ve been up in the Washington monument before. I thought that was cool. Have a great time! Good luck at MCM! I want to do a marathon someday. Only done halfs so far.
Cassie | 19th Aug 13
If you can, see the monuments at night. They are spectacular. Especially the Korean War monument it is meant to be seen at night.