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Tuesday, October 29, 2002
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Meg's Marine Corps Marathon Report
On Friday afternoon, we left Raleigh and headed up to the D.C. area. Most of our trip was blanketed with rain and cold, assuring us that Fall is here. We arrived around 11:00pm at the Crowne Plaza Holiday Inn, just one block away from the White House and a few more from the Mall. On Saturday morning, we headed down to the race expo, which was being held in Crystal City, Virginia – just across the Potomac from Washington. The Marines funneled us through multiple floors to get our race packet, race chips (for timing, not eating), and shirts. Along the way, almost every single kind of vendor that you could ever dream of was there. We picked up some new running socks and tried different kinds of bars, and, of course, visited the MCM store to pick up a shirt.
After an early lunch, we headed over to Arlington Cemetery and the Iwo Jima monument to check out the start and finish areas. That afternoon, we crashed in our hotel until we found a Macaroni Grill to carbo load out in one of the suburbs across the river.
On Sunday morning, bright and early, we hopped on the METRO line along with all of these other strange people wearing too little clothing for the chilly temperatures and all toting clear bags (for clothing check at the race). At 8:30 AM, approximately 20,000 runners started the Marine Corps Marathon. I was toward the back since I am slower than molasses. We wound our way around the Pentagon a few times, then headed across the Memorial Bridge into Georgetown’s quaint shops. Continuing through miles 11-13 we ran through the scenic Rock Creek Park – a completely wooded area in the heart of downtown that was showing the shades of the season. From there, we went up and down the Mall, passing the Smithsonian museums, the Washington Monument, Capital Hill, and the Lincoln and Jefferson memorials. At mile 22 and 23 we were to head across the 14th Street Bridge back over into Arlington. The 14th Street Bridge is the real test for those of us who are slower. You have to cross the bridge in a given amount of time, or you will be asked to ride the bus to the finish line and receive a DNF (“Did Not Finish”). I knew that I was on schedule to meet the requirement, but I had two or three Marines ask me to get on the bus. One of the few times in my life, I totally ignored them and kept right on running. I kept saying to myself, “I did not work 6 months of my life to ride a bus.” I was so upset that I just kept running and running until I knew that I would be close enough that they wouldn’t make me ride the bus. All the while, I was passing people who were walking and struggling. Finally, we made it the Arlington Cemetary and I trudged up the steep hill to the Iwo Jima monument. Amazingly enough, I could still run. I don’t know how, but I did. I crossed the line running. I didn’t finish in anywhere near the time I wanted, but I finished, nonetheless. I have a Marine Corps Marathon Finisher medal. I have the shirt and I will wear it proudly.
What next? Well, Bert and I are doing a 5K at Christmas together, so we will be getting ready for that, and next year, I’ll try to head back to another marathon and see if I can make it through another 26.2 miles. I’m sure that I will surprise myself, yet again.
-- M.
Just to clarify, I (Bert) didn't run in the race, but biked around the DC area, which was a lot of fun! I met up with Meg at a couple of spots along the way, and met her at the finish line. I am so proud of my marathon-finisher wife!
--B.
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2:48 PM :: link ::
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Tuesday, October 22, 2002
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Democracy Jeopardesque
Category: Election Day
Answer: Of November 1st through November 8th, the day that cannot be an official 'Election Day.'
| Place cursor here for solution. | What is November 1? (Because Election Day is always the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November) |
I know it's not Presidential election time, but here's a link to Presidential Election Results and Procedure anyway.
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9:50 AM :: link ::
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Sunday, October 20, 2002
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Marathon Details
Well, the time is near. Meg's big race is a week from today! Please pray for traveling mercies, as we will be traveling through the town where the last alleged sniper shooting took place. The Marine Corps Marathon organizers assure the runners that the event is safe. They are employing some undisclosed surveillance technology to supplement the already beefy security at the race. Every year they have armed Marines along the course, because it's the Marine Corps Marathon.
If you get a chance, check out our Update & Events page for some neat interactive toys (links at bottom of page) that show the marathon route.
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10:14 AM :: link ::
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Thursday, October 17, 2002
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Free Hockey Tickets!
Meg was offered hockey tickets at work today. It seems that the person in upper management couldn't make the game. So, we're off to see the Carolina Hurricanes tonight! Whoo Hoo! Our Seats: Section 113, Row B
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5:04 PM :: link ::
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Tuesday, October 15, 2002
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Weather Jeopardesque
Category: Meteorology
Answer: The name of the first weather satellite, launched in 1960.
| Place cursor here for solution. | What is Tiros 1? (Television Infrared Observation Satellite) |
Are you a weather buff?
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1:53 PM :: link ::
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Wednesday, October 09, 2002
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I found a website that seems to make quittin' time come a little quicker:
www.waitallday.com
Don't thank me all at once now. :)
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4:48 PM :: link ::
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Tuesday, October 08, 2002
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Holiday Jeopardesque
Category: Annual Holidays
Answer: This day--celebrated mostly by those in Detroit, Cleveland and Buffalo--is celebrated on the third Saturday in October as a day to make someone happy. It is an occasion which offers all of us an opportunity to remember not only the sick, aged, and orphaned, but also friends, relatives and associates whose helpfulness and kindness we have enjoyed.
| Place cursor here for solution. | What is Sweetest Day? |
Curious? Check this website for more info.
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1:11 PM :: link ::
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Wednesday, October 02, 2002
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Reiner on the Radio
Reiner Knizia (creator of such games as: Lost Cities, Stephenson's Rocket, DragonLand, Quandary, Through the Desert, Tigris & Euphrates, and dozens more) made a radio 'appearance' on NPR last weekend. To hear it, visit this link (which opens your default media player): Reiner on the Radio
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7:50 AM :: link ::
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Tuesday, October 01, 2002
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Geography Jeopardesque
Category: U.S. Lakes
Answer: This 17-mile circumference lake has the longest name of any in the United States, and contains eleven letter "G's". Its name means, "you fish on your side, I fish on mine, nobody fishes in the middle."
| Place cursor here for solution. | What is Lake Chargoggagoggmanchoggagogg in Webster, Massachusetts? |
Want Proof? Check this website.
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9:13 AM :: link ::
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