Well hi there! Sorry for the race recap delay. I am finally back from my Washington DC getaway! Hope all is well in your world. Let’s do a little marathon race recapping, shall we?
I had such a marvelous time…so fun getting to see college friends and many friends who I consider more family than anything else. This was my 4th time running this race and my 21st full marathon. It’s actually one of the only marathons I’ve run more than once! I just love the challenge of the course, the marines cheering you on every step of the way, and the organization overall. It is hands down one of the best 26.2 experiences around.
So since I arrived late on Friday we got up fairly early on Saturday to head to the race expo. I loved the change of expo location…the National Harbor which is absolutely beautiful. I kind of wished I had more time to explore this area but I loved it.
I grabbed my race number, took some pics with Marines and I was ready to go.
Sunday funday! Race morning was quite the early morning for me. Since I stayed with a girlfriend who lives right outside of DC she was gracious enough to take me straight to race headquarters to jump on the shuttle for the race. This process was actually much more organized than I thought it would be. Since the Metro rail stations opened late a lot of people had to do the shuttle thing that morning to arrive to the race on time. It actually all really worked out and I preferred this honestly over taking the Metro! It was much faster and security check in was a breeze. I got there about an hour before the start and got a pretty pic of the sunrise and cool flyover before the race.
We got the ready set go and we were off. It’s usually close to 30,000 who run this race every year and we all kind of start together. So the start was slow and it’s a lot of weaving in and out but eventually the crowds thinned out and I made my way through.
I definitely had a strategy for this race going in. I wanted to ideally get close to the 4 hour mark this time as I knew my training had been pretty on point this go round. And honestly it has been over 4 years since my injury that I had gone sub 4 so even saying that to people as far as my goal scared the living shit out of me. But that was definitely in the back of my mind for the day. I started off strong with my pace and held on solid for a majority of this race. I fought through a couple of side cramps and random issues but I felt good mentally and physically through about mile 22 or so.
Once I hit Crystal City around miles 22-23 there was a ton of energy which really helped when I was feeling super tired and not into it. Then the race kind of winds back around and we end it with a huge climb on to the finish. The Iwo Jima hill ya’ll…it is nothing to mess with. It’s basically a death march with all of the spectators watching so you kind of have to keep your game face on. Around this time I stopped looking at my watch because I knew I was just tired and super ready to be done. When it was all said and done…I came here and did what I have been wanting to do for over 4 years now. Finished with a freaking sub 4! Hallelujah and thank you baby Jesus. Nearly AN HOUR faster than my last Marine Corps Marathon. Yes, I said an hour. That is not a joke.
I feel really good about that time and it makes me smile. Considering also the random DC heat wave things went better than expected for sure.
I also have another opportunity to really crush it in December when I run the Dallas Marathon and I am hoping for some cool amazing weather.
26.2 number 21 is a wrap. Mission accomplished.
Anyone else have some races coming up? Best of luck to those of you racing the NYC Marathon this upcoming weekend!
thedancingrunner 
Awesome! Congratulations on the sub 4 hour run!! 😊
Thanks so much!
Amazing! Congratulations on your run 🙂
Thank ya! It was a good day 🙂
You, lady, are a freaking beast! I love it! Congrats on your sub 4 and 21 marathons? Wow. I’m just hoping to finish my first one in NYC this weekend. You’re such an inspiration. Thanks for the great post!
Yay for NYC! Enjoy every mile!! Can’t wait to read your recap as well. Best wishes!
Thank you!
Congrats on the sub 4!! Woo Hoo!!! I was supposed to run my first 26.2 Sunday but sidelined with an injury. Congrats again 🙂
I have no doubt you will be back up and running soon. Sending positive recovery vibes your way! And thank you!!
Fantastic! Great time, especially considering how warm it was.
Yeah I was really hoping for cooler weather but DC is so iffy that time of year!
girl you crushed it!!!!! way to go on the sub 4 and an hour time improvement that is crazy insane but you have worked so hard its totally earned 🙂
Thank you! It sure does help going into a race and being both mentally and physically ‘there’! 😉
Woo hoo, congratulations!!! That’s an amazing time! I’ve heard. I’ve heard nothing but good things about this race, it really sounds like a great one.
Thanks! You’d love it!
Congratulation Chels!
Thanks sweets!
I also ran this race.. my first time running MCM. What an amazing event! Congrats on your sub-4!
Excellent! Hope you loved it! Will have to check out your recap as well!
Congratulations on making your goal, especially in warm conditions! I’m running NYCM this weekend, eek.
Best of luck to you! Hope ya’ll are able to get some decent weather!
Awesome work!! Those medals are crazy nice too! Congrats and good luck on your next one!
Thank you Martha!
Congrats on a great race!!!
Thank you!
great running well done
Thanks so much for the support!
Congrats on your finish and that sub 4!!! Hopefully, I will run this someday!!
I have the Team RWB Old Glory relay on 4 November and 2 Halfs later in the month!!
Team RWB is so awesome! Go represent them well!
Congratulations Chelsea on awesome race and sub-4 time…loved the race recap! Makes me want to run it in even more! And, 21 marathons already, wow!!
Thanks for being so supportive! I sincerely appreciate it and best of luck on your next one!
Always Chelsea and appreciate your support and encouragement too, that’s what us run-bloggers do, right?!!!! Have a great weekend!
You are amazing!!! That is an awesome race and run time. Jealous of your stamina and drive… Have an awesome weekend! 🙂
Hope your weekend was great! Thanks 🙂
Congrats that is so awesome!!
Thank you love!
I have those Nike leggings, I wore them yesterday they’re my faves! I’m wearing the pink version right now! 🙂
They are soo comfortable! I love ’em too 🙂
Congratulations!….I ran this in 2015!
Thank you! It’s such a great race…I’ve already done MCM 4 times now. One of my many faves!