This was my second time running the Rock-N-Roll DC half marathon. I knew from last year what to expect both at the expo and the race course but I wasn't prepared for the cold of the weekend. I moved from the Baltimore, MD to Cary, NC last Fall so I'm now a southern gal. This southern gal doesn't like the cold weather anymore.
I arrived in Washington, DC on Friday and headed right to the expo. The lines were long waiting outside due to security but once you were inside, it wasn't crowded. I took pictures at the Chocolate Milk Booth, saw my Brooks representative from Maryland and looked around at the Brooks merchandise.
Then I went to Charm City Run booth to check out the Balega socks and see my representative as a Balega Impi. I met Dan last year and it was fun to see him again.
I picked up my Tour Pass and proceeded to spend more time at the expo.
The expo was smaller this year but equally as fun. I left the expo and drove to Baltimore to stay with friends. Needless to say, I had to stop and pick up some cold weather gear because what I had packed I thought wouldn't keep me warm enough. An email was sent out to forewarn of the cold weather but I thought that it wouldn't be that cold! Friday night was brutally cold! After dinner, I laid out my flat me and headed to bed since race morning always come too early.
Saturday morning, we were up and on the way to Washington, DC by 6 am.
I really don't know how they run in those costumes and saw them several times on the course. I lined up in the corral trying to stay warm.
Halfway through the race at the end of Rock Creek Park is the blue mile. It's sponsored by Wear Blue to Remember, a nonprofit running organization that remember fallen service personnel. It's a hard mile physically and emotionally but well worth every step!
The next couple of miles are through the Adams Morgan neighborhood while the bands and sites along the course were fabulous.
Around mile nine at Howard University, there is a great women's drum corp,Batala. This is the third time that I've had the privilege of seeing them in a race. Wow, are they amazing! They really kept us going with their music!
The last couple of miles, I do admit were hard for me. I hadn't trained well for this race and my timing was off. I was tired and cold but kept going. As I got closer to the DC Armory, I heard another band and the crowds. I ran with several people that kept me going-one was a 78 year old man and it was his birthday. Another man was completing his 100th Rock 'N' Roll half marathon! This kept me going to the finish line!
The runner's village was superb with having heat wraps, chocolate milk, bananas and granola bars. After wards, I listened to the music and had a beer but was still really cold so I decided to head to the car. I had done another half marathon and my third Rock 'N' Roll race!
Another one of the reasons why I love the Rock 'N' Roll races is that when you receive your finisher results, you also receive these awesome badges! It's just plain fun!
This is an amazing race in Washington, DC due to the race course and the spectators. I would highly recommend doing this Rock 'N' Roll if you get a chance. If you did the race, what are your thoughts?
Please let me know. Till next time and remember, my journey continues...If you can dream it, you can do it as Walt Disney said!
Disclaimer: As a Rock-N-Blogger, I received a complimentary global tour pass, which I used as entry for this race. As always, the opinions are my own.
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