after. spend some quality time watching tv and drinking water in the hotel before with the AC blasting.

Do not sightsee on Friday. Rest up. This is your first marathon you want to enjoy it. I know it would be hard with all the stuff to see in DC, but rest.
You probaly won't be in any shape to sightsee afterwards. There is a alot of walking involved with all the tourist stuff in DC!
Good luck with your training!

Another vote for after the race. I think the walking around will be good for you. The only problem you'll probably have (as mentioned above) is with going down the stairs. Just use the escalator or elevator wherever you go.

We went up the empire state building after I did the NYC marathon. We ended up climbing the last several stories since the 2nd elevator that you have to take had a long line. Going up was fine. There was no way I would have gone down the stairs.

HighFlier:

First off, good for you for registering for your first marathon. With you being a very hard worker, you will do fine.

Second, always, always, always sightsee AFTER the event. Not only will this ensure you are at your very best for the race, but you will also enjoy the sights that much more, because you will be in the right frame of mine. Yes, you WILL be tired and hobling around, but if it is a popular destination marathon, you will be among many friends in the very same "wobbly" boat.

When I did Dublin Marathon in 2004, the fiance and I decided to do the city "On/Off Tourist Bus" the day after the marathon for this very reason. We flew in two days before the marathon, did the marathon, and then took time to enjoy the city as a proper tourist. While (stiffly) getting on and off the bus to see cathedrals and churches, oh my, we decided to spend extra time at the next stop, The Guinness Brewery. After the tour of where the Goodness of Guinness is created, they dump you out into their Oak Room, which sits several atop a tower that overlooks the city. It was there where we wound up spending way too much time -- and not just because of the beer. Runners from far and wide, especially a large contingent of Cannucks, were swapping war stories, drinking in the fountain of youth, and resting tired legs.

Rest before. Race well. Party hard. In that order.

Though I will break this on my honeymoon

I ran my first ever marathon in DC - not at marine corps but at the inaugural running of the, now defunct, Washington DC Marathon. My father, who lives in Florida, met me at the airport and we travelled into the city together. Except for a trip to the "expo", I hung out in the hotel room prior to the race. We had pasta in the hotel restaurant the night before. My dad was at mile 16 or so on the course - and again at the finish. I ran a 3:27 debut and was thrilled to have my dad there. After the race, I cleaned up and then we went to lunch at a restaurant on the course from where we watched the late finishers passing by. Later, I met some cousins who lived locally and we partied into the wee hours. I was glad that I'd remained focused on my race beforehand, and got that much more out of the celebration afterward because of it. Remember why you're there.

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