« Dead Legs | Main | Quick One »
October 31, 2004
Crazy Water Stop on the Bridge
Setting up our water stop at Marine Corps Marathon ended up being a total cluster. First of all, we were dropped off at the wrong bridge, so three of us had to bike around the Pentagon to find where we could get onto the HOV part of 14th Street bridge - where the runners would be passing. All the while, we're hauling gallons and gallons of Gatorade, water, cups, etc in our backpacks. My ALICE pack came in handy, easily packing 4 gallons of water and my own personal gear - shoes, jacket, snacks, Camelbak. By the time we met up with K., she had just finished running a mile across the bridge with her full shopping cart - boom box, bull horn, signs, candy, food, more drinks. She said that she got crazy looks from drivers on the other side and the Marines on the bridge. Wish I could've been there to see it.
The first wheelchair competitors were nearing mile 21 when we finished setting up. At least 15 or so other club runners came out, many in costume, to cheer and help us pass out drinks and food. It was a ton of fun and some runners were in full costume, which must've been uncomfortable considering how sunny and hot it was. I was excited to see that Mary Kate Bailey, a Marine Corps Captain, take first woman in today's race. I always root for the Marine team to take the Armed Forces cup (it's been a while), though I'm not sure what the final results are yet.
Needless to say, I expended all my energy shouting my lungs out. I'm not even going out for Halloween anymore, since I re-exacerbated my right achilles pain today. At least the left hip joint pain is gone and hopefully my legs will be refreshed tomorrow.
Posted by Leilani at October 31, 2004 09:06 PM