PatrickMMoore.com

Start Times:

There are 2 waves of start times: the Scarlet Wave starts at 8:25 AM and the Gold Wave at 8:40 AM. Fortunately, we will all start in the second, later wave. You're welcome to use the Pace Tables to predict what times we'll cross the mile various markers and finish line.

* Estimates account for an 8:40 start and the chance that it could take as much as 15 minutes to actually cross the start line. Therefore, finish times are an approximation based on predicted pace and crossing the line at ~9AM.

Note: All times are EST as race day marks the end of Day Light Savings. Change your clocks before you hit the hay.

Remote Runner Tracking:

Timing gets tricky because the runners only care about what time the clock reads when we cross the finish subtracted from the time that we crossed the start. The ChampionChips in our shoes will give us hyper-accurate readings at all 8 of the mat crossings (Start, 5 miles, 10 miles, 13.1 miles (Half), 15 miles, 20 miles, 23.5 miles and Finish). You can sign up for text messaging via cell phone, pda, etc. to receive real-time updates when any of the runners cross one of those locations. The Remote Runner URL is:

http://www.marinemarathon.com/Results/remote_runner_tracking.htm

Recommended Viewing Locations:

Closest metro stops to the various parts of the course:

Arlington Cemetery - Start Line, Miles 10 & 14-15
Foggy Bottom - Georgetown, Rock Creek Park & Miles 5, & 9-10
Smithsonian - Mile 13 & the National Mall
Crystal City - Crystal City Street Spectacular
Rosslyn - Finish Line & Festival

Unlimited-Ride One Day Passes will be available for sale at the Packet Pick-up Expo at the DC Armory and from the fare machines at most metro stops.

Post Race Meet-ups:

After the race, it'll be a sea of people surrounding the finisher's area. So, we'll need a plan to join Runners with Spectators for post-race hugs, photos, bragging about our medals, etc. It's very likely that we'll all finish at different times beginning at around 12:30 and ending at ~2PM (depending on actual pace and start times). One place to meet will be the Runner's Link-up location under the U-W flags. "Team Votava" runners will head towards the "V" flag/area (for victory, vodka or very tired) to meet-up. So, try there first. If nobody is there, we'll head next to the Netherland Carillon (away from the bustle of the finish line) which is a big tower structure where there's room to stretch, eat, hydrate and hangout while everybody arrives.

Check out the Marathon Link-up Map for more details.

Race Goals:

The Marathon is on Sunday, October 29th, 2006 at 8AM. I am training for a time of ~4 hours and 30 minutes, which is an average pace of 10 minutes/mile or roughly 6 miles/hour.

Mid-September Update:

As I mentioned on my blog, we ran a half-marathon preparation race and it went really well for everybody. I squeaked over the finish line in just barely under 2 hours (1:57:58 to be exact), which means it could be possible to shave a few seconds off the 10:00/mile pace. Maybe it was the Philadelphia's 'brotherly love' or all the hard training, but things are definitely on track for a great race in October!

Ten Days Left:

With only Ten Days until race-day, we're seriously tapering down the running schedule and it's nice to have some time/energy at the end of the day. The final information came out today from the race directors and there are several important links: Official Schedule, Final Instructions, Spectator Info and Finish Festival. Also, I've added a section with spectator specific information for y'all to check out. Let me know what you're thinking about the above information.

History:

A marathon is 26.2 miles and was first run by Pheidippides in Ancient Greece and (as legend goes) is named after his run from the battle at Marathon to Athens. Additionally, it's said that he dropped dead upon arriving to announce that the Persians had been defeated. Hopefully, this doesn't happen to anybody at our race!

Real-Time Stats:

The technology described in this press release will allow people to follow our race progress, in real-time. Updates will arrive when we cross the start line, 5 mile, 10 mile, 13.1 (halfway) mile, 15 mile, 20 mile, 23.5 mile markers and the finish line. You'll be able to sign-up to receive text messages on your cell phone to let you know where and when we'll be running past your position.

Course:

Check out the course using this handy-printable course map. Also, there's another interactive map provided on the race's website.

Pretty awesome mix of Google Calendar and my marathon training schedule. Anybody interested in coming for a run?

I am following Hal Higdon's Novice Training Schedule. Also, I have found the Gmaps Pedometer website to be extremely helpful and have listed some of my favorite routes.

Arlington, VA and Washington, DC Running Routes:

1. NoVA to MCM Course (1) (16.01 miles)
2. Barton Place to Smithsonian (7.24 miles)
3. Barton Place to Iwo Jima (longer) (3.49 miles)
4. Tour de Bridges (5.44 miles)
5. Tour de Bridges (longer) (10.17 miles)

Alexandria, VA Running Routes:

1. Girard St. to USPTO (10.12 miles)
2. USPTO to Four Mile Run (8.85 miles)
3. USPTO to Reagan National Airport (4.66 miles)
4. USPTO to Waterfront (3.61 miles)
5. USPTO to 1st Baptist Church/Tuckahoe Lane (3.32 miles)
6. USPTO to Braddock Rd. Metro Stop (3.12 miles)

Upstate NY Running Routes:

1. Rochester Long Run - Erie Canal to Genesee River Trail (20.26 miles)

I've begun to save my running route bookmarks using del.icio.us and they're tagged with: Running , Alexandria , Arlington , Washington, DC .