MCM Mama Runs

MCM Mama Runs for Beer and Bling

  • Home
  • About MCM Mama
  • Racing the U.S.A.
  • I Heart Craft Beer
  • Product Reviews
  • Recipes
  • Disclosure
You are here: Home / running / Marine Corps Marathon, I just can’t quit you…

Marine Corps Marathon, I just can’t quit you…

January 29, 2018 by MCM Mama 15 Comments

It’s almost that time of year again. Time to start sorting out my registration for the Marine Corps Marathon. Do I try to get online and sign up for 17.75? And then run one of the hardest races in the area for the pleasure of handing over my credit card to pay for my guaranteed entry? Or do I take my chances and enter the lottery? Or is it time to give back and fundraise for a worthy cause (there are so many, I’m not sure who I’d even pick).

Regardless of what method I decide to use to enter the Marine Corps Marathon, one thing is certain: I will be running it again this year.

I didn’t mean to fall in love with the Marine Corps Marathon. I truly believed I would be one and done. Even after I returned to the world of marathoning, I never planned to return to the Marine Corps Marathon. I loved the race from the first, but I don’t like running in the summer. I especially don’t like running long during the summer.

But somehow, I ended up running my second Marine Corps Marathon. I’m still not sure how. FOMO probably. And I fell a little deeper in love. But I had no plans to run it a third time. Or a fourth.

Finally, I’m ready to come clean. I love the Marine Corps Marathon. It’s my hometown marathon and my favorite race in the area. It’s crazy crowded and the weather likes to make it an even bigger challenge, but even when I hate it (at say, mile 16), I love it.

  • I love the crowds – yes, I know there are sections that suck, but large portions of the run are filled with energy. I love slapping little kid hands around the mall and drinking a coke from the awesome MRTT table in Crystal City. 
  • I love the other runners – This race is truly the People’s Marathon. Runners of all abilities are around you at all times. New runners, runners with disabilities, runners carrying flags, or wearing signs of lost loved ones. So many seem to have a deeper reason to run this particular race.
  • I love the course – all the monuments and the Blue Mile. And the absolute insanity that is Crystal City. And running up the last hill to Iwo Jima being cheered on by Marines. 
  • And the Marines. Oh, how I love the Marines. Ahem. 
  • And finally, the medal. Each year it seems to get more awesome. 

I know to some, the logistics of the Marine Corps Marathon and the sheer size of it are daunting. But it’s my hometown race and every year that I run it, it feels more and more comfortable. I’ve learned that for me, this is a race meant to be enjoyed and that I should embrace every moment on the course. Come join me this year and run the city with me.

What’s your favorite hometown race? Share it with us for Tuesdays on the Run!

 Loading InLinkz ...
Follow on Bloglovin follow us in feedly

More from my site

  • Registering during Marine Corps Marathon Rush RegistrationRegistering during Marine Corps Marathon Rush Registration
  • Race views and ZOOMA challengesRace views and ZOOMA challenges
  • My “undertrained” MCM training planMy “undertrained” MCM training plan
  • Rating October: did my running pass or fail?Rating October: did my running pass or fail?
  • Marine Corps Marathon 2017 GoalsMarine Corps Marathon 2017 Goals

Filed Under: running Tagged With: marathon, Marine Corps Marathon, Tuesdays on the Run

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments

  1. Melissa says

    January 30, 2018 at 5:41 am

    I have only heard good things about that race so it is no surprise how much you love it! How lucky that it is your hometown race. If you wanted these days I’ll make the trip and participate.
    Melissa recently posted…Tuesdays on the Run: Birthday Week RunsMy Profile

    Reply
  2. Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy says

    January 30, 2018 at 6:58 am

    Other than the fact it’s a marathon, MCM sounds awesome. 🙂

    One of my favs is Last Run, the “race” through the holiday lights. The one I almost never race. Too dram, often too cold, too crowded on narrow streets, the awesome fireworks go on too long . . . yet it’s a ton of fun. 🙂
    Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy recently posted…January 2018: Did I pass?My Profile

    Reply
  3. Wendy says

    January 30, 2018 at 7:01 am

    It’s how I feel about the Chicago Marathon. I had hoped for one more go-around, but at this point I don’t think it’s going to happen. I’ll be there to cheer the runners on, tho.
    Wendy recently posted…I Have Found the Fountain of Youth and It’s In The Weight RoomMy Profile

    Reply
  4. Darlene says

    January 30, 2018 at 8:31 am

    I’ve only heard great things about this race but I don’t run marathons. I do want to race in DC.
    Darlene recently posted…TOTR: My Favorite Hometown RaceMy Profile

    Reply
  5. Sarah says

    January 30, 2018 at 9:30 am

    Okay. So I read this book (my year of running dangerously by tom foreman) and he talked about how much he loved that race. So I was like “I’m gonna do it!” and then everyone was like “BUT IT IS SO HARD” so I was like okay no I’m not gonna do it.

    Your post is making me want to do it.

    … I think I’m gonna do it one day!!
    Sarah recently posted…Favorite Hometown Race | Tuesdays on the RunMy Profile

    Reply
  6. Lesley says

    January 30, 2018 at 10:33 am

    I know a few people who’ve done this marathon, and the 10k is on my bucket list. I’m not sure when I can make that happen. I was thinking this fall, but it wouldn’t be enough time to recovery properly between that and what I want to do next spring.

    Reply
  7. Jennifer @ Fit Nana says

    January 30, 2018 at 11:03 am

    I, too, love that race so much which is why I also chose it as my favorite! But, I never saw any of THOSE Marines while I was out there. I feel so gypped! lol
    Jennifer @ Fit Nana recently posted…My Favorite Hometown RaceMy Profile

    Reply
  8. Lacey@fairytalesandfitness says

    January 30, 2018 at 11:30 am

    Marine Corp is one of my favorite marathons. I feel like that about Virginia Beach Shamrock. Even though the weather usually sucks during that time of year, if I don’t run it, I get major FOMO. I still have not signed up for that race yet, I don’t know if I will, or opt for a different race this year.
    Lacey@fairytalesandfitness recently posted…A sport that is fulfilling all on its ownMy Profile

    Reply
  9. Wendy says

    January 30, 2018 at 11:35 am

    I haven’t actually done the full marathon of our “hometown” marathon. I’ve done the half and I really enjoy the atmosphere, but I’m into trails now so not sure if I will ever do it. a part of me wants to just because it IS my hometown race.
    Wendy recently posted…Re-Evaluating Fitness GoalsMy Profile

    Reply
  10. Kimberly Hatting says

    January 30, 2018 at 2:05 pm

    I SOOOOO want to do MCM someday. I think even the hubby is a bit intrigued with it (though he is a retired Air Force LTCnl, he has a deep affection for all branches of the military). ((sigh)) Someday….
    Kimberly Hatting recently posted…Fun Times on a Favorite TrailMy Profile

    Reply
  11. Deborah @ Confessions of mother runner says

    January 30, 2018 at 4:39 pm

    How do you not love those Marines?! 🙂
    Deborah @ Confessions of mother runner recently posted…Eggtastic Mediterranean Energy Bowl Meatless MondayMy Profile

    Reply
  12. Michelle @ Running with Attitude says

    January 30, 2018 at 4:39 pm

    I’ve been debating MCM for my first marathon this year but the potential heat and time limits worry me. You make a really good case for running this one!
    Michelle @ Running with Attitude recently posted…2018 Race Calendar is Taking ShapeMy Profile

    Reply
  13. Lisa @ Mile by Mile says

    January 30, 2018 at 4:56 pm

    Id love to do this race someday! A few years ago I happened to be visiting DC the weekend of the race. It was awesome to see all the energy and it made me really want to run it at some point! And being that Im in Baltimore it’s not too far away.
    Lisa @ Mile by Mile recently posted…Month in Review: January 2018My Profile

    Reply
  14. Marcia says

    January 31, 2018 at 7:15 am

    MCM is one of my all-time faves. If I were local, I’d likely be running every year as well. Get in there and run it girl! You’ve got a great bling collection going.
    Marcia recently posted…Chicago Area Races to Run This YearMy Profile

    Reply
  15. Janelle @ Run With No Regrets says

    February 2, 2018 at 4:24 pm

    I don’t blame you one bit, the Marine Corps Marathon looks like an incredible experience! I hope to enjoy it for myself one day…
    Janelle @ Run With No Regrets recently posted…New Jersey Marathon Training Weeks 3&4 RecapMy Profile

    Reply
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Who is MCM Mama?
A slightly obnoxious mom and wife who loves good beer and running, who struggles a bit with depression especially in the winter and when running isn’t allowed, who’d rather go on a fun vacation than upgrade the kitchen or add a master bath, and has a minor addiction to the Marine Corps Marathon.

Recent Posts

  • Half Marathon #85: Appalachian Series – South Carolina
  • Half Marathon #84: Appalachian Series – Georgia
  • Coffee with a side of rain
  • Half Marathon #83:Appalachian Series – Alabama
  • Hotel Coffee is better than no coffee…
  • Training for Back to Back to Back Half Marathons
  • Runfessions of a Really Cold Runner
  • Kicking off the year with coffee!

Archives

A slightly obnoxious mom and wife who loves good beer and running, who struggles a bit with depression especially in the winter and when running isn’t allowed, who’d rather go on a fun vacation than upgrade the kitchen or add a master bath. Read More…

Half Marathon #85: Appalachian Series – South Carolina

Half Marathon #85: Appalachian Series – South Carolina

Mainly Marathons Appalachian Series – South CarolinaMarch 27, 20222:47:45 What I wore: hat, tank top, long sleeve quarter zip, capris, and Altra Rivera Location: Seneca, SC (State #41!) Let’s just start out with the truth – this race was the hardest of the races and pretty much sucked. I chose to do the early start […]

Copyright © 2023 · MCM Mama Runs on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in