BQ Gift

I did a BQ in 2011 at Marine Corps. One of my best races ever. It's a very crowded race. Get there early, use the porta-potty, and get to the front of the corral. I didn't follow that advice and my first 10k took 53 minutes. I was supposed to be at a 7:50 pace. There was simply no where to go. Fortunately I felt great and held 7:30's the rest of the race. There are a couple hills in the first 10k also, so go out conservatively and don't waste energy trying to weave through the crowd.

Enjoy the National Mall, get great pictures, and tell her to smile. My avatar is from that race, both feet are off the ground. MCM has magical photographers that can take a good race photo. Yes, it can happen!

The 14th street bridge is tough. You go from throngs of supporters to dead silence, it will be cooler and windier, and it comes at miles 20-21, where you are really starting to hurt. I distinctly remember the feeling of being alone and all I could here was my breathing. This is where the race switched from physical to mental for me.

The good news is once you're off the bridge the crowds pick up, the Marines start clapping for you, and you can really feel the energy from the crowd. The final stretch up to the Memorial is a crazy two-block hill, but you have Marines screaming at you and then it's flat again, and you're through the chute.

The weather can be variable. It snowed like mad the day before the race and I was flipping out in the hotel. I had packed everything from full UA cold weather gear to shorts. It was absurdly cold waiting for the race to start, like 35 degrees, and 55 by the end. I wound up tossing a nice fleece, so if it's cold at the start wear something you can throw away without regrets.

If she BQ's get her the plaque made with the bib and the medal.

And tell her good luck!

I did a BQ in 2011 at Marine Corps. One of my best races ever. It's a very crowded race. Get there early, use the porta-potty, and get to the front of the corral. I didn't follow that advice and my first 10k took 53 minutes. I was supposed to be at a 7:50 pace. There was simply no where to go. Fortunately I felt great and held 7:30's the rest of the race. There are a couple hills in the first 10k also, so go out conservatively and don't waste energy trying to weave through the crowd.

Enjoy the National Mall, get great pictures, and tell her to smile. My avatar is from that race, both feet are off the ground. MCM has magical photographers that can take a good race photo. Yes, it can happen!

The 14th street bridge is tough. You go from throngs of supporters to dead silence, it will be cooler and windier, and it comes at miles 20-21, where you are really starting to hurt. I distinctly remember the feeling of being alone and all I could here was my breathing. This is where the race switched from physical to mental for me.

The good news is once you're off the bridge the crowds pick up, the Marines start clapping for you, and you can really feel the energy from the crowd. The final stretch up to the Memorial is a crazy two-block hill, but you have Marines screaming at you and then it's flat again, and you're through the chute.

The weather can be variable. It snowed like mad the day before the race and I was flipping out in the hotel. I had packed everything from full UA cold weather gear to shorts. It was absurdly cold waiting for the race to start, like 35 degrees, and 55 by the end. I wound up tossing a nice fleece, so if it's cold at the start wear something you can throw away without regrets.

And tell her good luck!

Thank you for the advice, but she already ran it! and BQ'd! I want to do something to celebrate!

btw, x2 on getting there early. we did not get there early enough and she said the beginning of her race was a mess trying to get around people.

I'd avoid depending on something Boston-related. That qualifying time might not be enough to actually get her into the race... Sorry to be the buzzkill!

Massage, Edible Arrangement, a nice dinner out - or in!, gift certificate to her favorite running store/athletic clothing brand...

hmmm, I like the gift certificate idea, maybe take her to pick out a new pair of running shoes. she is the one with the lost toenails (my other recent thread) because her shoes are too small.

Then yes - buy her SHOES!