Happy Friday! I for one am thrilled that the weekend is here (ya know, just like I am every Friday!). For starters, this Friday Five Linkup is now hosted by the DC Trifecta! Yep, Mar from Mar on the Run and Cynthia from You Signed up for What?! and I are now officially the DC Trifecta and will be bringing you the Friday Five Link Up each week! Woohoo — these gals are local DC ladies like me and both so awesome. While I’ve yet to meet Marlesa in person, I feel like I know her! And Cynthia and I have met before for fun barre workouts — she’s so fun 🙂 If you haven’t yet already added them to your blogroll, please do so — trust me, you’ll love reading their blogs!
Now on to this week’s Friday Five, Race Edition (in honor of the HUGE race taking place this weekend in DC). Here are five of my suggestions for a big race weekend:
- Where to eat this weekend. For all you out of towners, let me offer a few suggestions. A lot of you will be staying in Virginia, and I can’t really help with that part of town — however, if you are willing to venture into DC (and you should be willing, let me add :)) I have some great recommendations for you. Start with this post I wrote right before inauguration — as a bonus, there is now a Good Stuff Eatery in Crystal City for you VA folk. Add in the following suggestions: Founding Farmers for a menu with lots of variety and a space that can accommodate groups, Ben’s Chili Bowl because it’s a DC institution (I’d recommend this for a post-race meal, not a pre-race meal!), and Eatonville for some of the tastiest Southern-inspired food this side of the Mason Dixon line.
- Where to go if you forgot racing gear at home. Lucky for you, DC has a few great running stores that will have everything you need. I would personally recommend three: Pacers, Potomac River Running and City Sports (not exclusively a running store but they have just about anything you’ll need for race day).
- Find a mantra. Pick a phrase or a quote or a word…something that you can say to yourself when things get tough at mile 21. For me, that phrase is “there will be a day you can not do this. Today is NOT that day.” It sounds silly but it helps!
taking this to heart…
- Get energy from the spectators. Last weekend when I ran that crazy hill half marathon, I only had one of my ear buds in and it was SO nice to be able to actually hear the spectators cheering. I’ve decided that I will definitely run with music for my marathon, but only have one ear bud in so I can connect and use the energy of the crowd. It’s like a free gift! 🙂
- Okay, so I cheated a little bit. This last one isn’t truly race specific, but…I’m running 20 miles on Saturday and am freaked out about it. One of the ways I will calm myself down is by thinking of all my friends running Marine Corp the next day and how amazing they will be. So thanks, MCM runners for inspiring me to keep moving towards my first marathon next month. 🙂
Good luck to everyone racing this weekend and I can’t wait to hear about all the fantastic times and great race experiences! Don’t forget to link up your Friday Five posts!
Love the MCM – my first marathon and I get completely nostalgic for it…. I also know how those hilly runs go…. head out to Belle Haven park if you never have and hit that trail going south… yeah, those are hills. 🙂
Elizabeth recently posted…Five For Friday!
I’m good with hilly runs for now! After tackling Custis trail a few weeks back and then that hilly half last weekend…I’m all set 🙂
It is inevitable that every race I forget something at home and end up buying it at the expo. 😉 totally by accident of course…
Mar @ Mar on the Run! recently posted…Friday Five – MCM Weekend is here!
LOL, right you “forget” something! Hahaha 🙂
Love that mantra!
Betsy recently posted…365/294: Writers Workshop
Thanks Betsy!
Good luck with your long run, I’m running 20 tomorrow too!
How’d your run go? Mine was tough, but I’m so glad I did it!
So glad to connect with you today! Enjoy your long run tomorrow!! When I used to race more often and I was starting to break down, I would either sing to myself in my head (Bruce Springsteen Born to Run) or count to 3 or 4 over and over again. It takes my mind off of being tired and keeps me at a consistent pace.
Michelle recently posted…Getting Spooky with our Halloween Bash {Ladies Only Blog Share}
My first “Big” race was a 5k for the Canada Army Run and I ran with one ear bud in too. The energy from the crowds and cheering stations was something I had never experienced before and at the end of the race I knew I was hooked. Who needs tunes when the crowd can carry you forward? I came home and signed up for my first half the day after that race and can’t wait to go back and do the half at the Canada Army Run in 2014.
Anita recently posted…Moving Maintenance
I have to say I really love your blog. I did a 20 miler a few weeks ago and was a bit disappointed with my pace too. But it is a huge relief to just get the 20 miles in and know that mentally you can do it. I always come back to your blog when I am looking for motivation to get out and run you rock!
Thank you so much for the kind comments, Jessica! I agree, I’m just so glad that run is done!!! Are you training for anything?
Love the suggestions for DC and the mantra! My running buddy Keith is headed up for the MCM this weekend; he has me totally jealous for this race now 🙂 have a wonderful 20-miler. On this side, they’re daunting, but on the backside, they’re conquered! Have a great weekend!
This post is actually two years old – I’m running MCM this weekend 🙂 Have a good one! 🙂