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Jul 15, 2008 8:07 PM by
lenzlaw
843 posts since
Jan 19, 2008
Jul 14, 2008 7:52 AM
What do you want to know about the MCM?
Hi guys,
I'm manning the water station for the DSG running group this weekend (hello Tuan), and Rick Nealis, the Director of the MCM, is going to be running with us. He's answering questions before the group run. Would anyone like me to ask him anything? If everyone hates Marathonfoto, does anyone have suggestions? (Not that he would listen per se, but I firmly believe that if you're going to complain about something you need to offer a viable alternative.)
I will be sure to let him know that the out and back at the finish is a disaster. I would be quite happy to run the MCM every year as my one marathon. That out and back is making me look at other options. I'm fairly certain all non-gluttons for punishment will agree with me on that complaint. And no one is going to make me believe that they can't get creative and sneak in another mile somewhere in the DC/VA area.
Feel free to post all week. I'm "off" today and tomorrow, and then I'll be in Dallas on business Wed - Fri. I'll check the board when I get home late Friday, and then I will pounce on him at 6am Saturday morning. Thanks!
Lauren
6,197 posts since
Jan 18, 2008
Re: What do you want to know about the MCM?
For starters:
- Did they get rid of the "extra mile" loop into Rosslyn at the end?
- Please keep spectators out of the finisher/refreshment area. I think they try to do that, but don't always succeed.
- Put the baggage claim right after the finish. Having that stuff is much more valuable right after you finish than after walking the length of the finish festival.
Forget about reason, forget about rhyme. Beg, steal or borrow, you got another hill to climb.
G. Lightfoot
2,453 posts since
Aug 15, 2007
2.
Jul 14, 2008 8:04 AM
in response to: lenzlaw
Re: What do you want to know about the MCM?
I'm going to be that annoying person who posts and re-posts as things other people say trigger things in me... but one problem was that on the mall there was minimal crowd control and at points it became pretty narrow because of the crowd creeping onto the course. My friends who were spectating said that when the really fast runners were coming through it was down to almost a single lane because all of the spectators crushed forward to see.
I do today what you won't, so tomorrow I do what you can't.
In Training: Pittsburgh Triathlon | My Running Blog
6,197 posts since
Jan 18, 2008
3.
Jul 14, 2008 8:33 AM
in response to: DCtoPgh
Re: What do you want to know about the MCM?
I'm going to be that annoying person who posts and re-posts as things other people say trigger things in me... but one problem was that on the mall there was minimal crowd control and at points it became pretty narrow because of the crowd creeping onto the course. My friends who were spectating said that when the really fast runners were coming through it was down to almost a single lane because all of the spectators crushed forward to see.
I noticed that too. I don't know how much can be done about it. At times in years past, particularly from about 25.5 to 26, I would get this "Tour de France" feeling. At Philly last year I was cheering and when I would ask people to move back they just gave me a dirty look.
Forget about reason, forget about rhyme. Beg, steal or borrow, you got another hill to climb.
G. Lightfoot
1,179 posts since
Dec 14, 2007
4.
Jul 14, 2008 9:57 AM
in response to: lenzlaw
Re: What do you want to know about the MCM?
I second having baggage pick up closer to the finish line! What is the sport drink going to be?
229 posts since
Jan 22, 2008
Re: What do you want to know about the MCM?
I want to know what color this year's shirt will be. Can you ask that for me Lauren ? 
Also ... too many male marines at the finish line. Can we have more female marines please 
Ironman Florida 2009 or Death ... preferably not death
200 posts since
Mar 29, 2008
6.
Jul 14, 2008 11:31 AM
in response to: zoom1
Re: What do you want to know about the MCM?
Can you ask about the buses at the end... maybe have more... or something to shuttle people back to CC and other metro places. I waited with my dad and bro forever and finally gave up and started walking back to CC metro. my knee was busted and my dads were about to lock up. It was a painful walk since my knee was huge by this point and I was almost in tears... I had just PRed in a marathon I thought walking a mile or 2 wouldnt be too bad. We were lucking and flagged down a guy leaving the pentagon who tooK pity on us and drove us to CC. I am sure we made his car smell great.... He was my knight in shining armor that day...
also the line for beer was WAY too long.
2,449 posts since
Nov 1, 2007
Re: What do you want to know about the MCM?
Photo spot at the end, I didn't even know it was there. Maybe better way of "herding" the finishers towards that area after crossing the finish line?
Screw Jane Fonda!!!
1,118 posts since
Aug 28, 2007
Re: What do you want to know about the MCM?
My only issue last year was that I wanted a Finisher shirt and Brooks ran out. I think a few others were upset about their items too.
I can't offer a solution (other than Nike) as I'm sure their deal with Brooks is already set up. My question or suggestion to him is to get Brooks to do a better job with having an adequate supply of the merchandise.
Dig deep, people, you can do it!
414 posts since
Dec 4, 2007
Re: What do you want to know about the MCM?
Photo spot at the end, I didn't even know it was there. Maybe better way of "herding" the finishers towards that area after crossing the finish line?
I concur with everything. I was a little upset that I didn't know about the photo spot until I got back and checked the board????
Proud mom and Athena runner.
Kara (and Jman)
3,946 posts since
Jan 19, 2008
Re: What do you want to know about the MCM?
I never got a finisher shirt either. And by the way Zoom, just let those nice young marines be at the finish, I really appreciate all that eye candy, it made those 26.2 miles worth while. Those marines were as good as the hug I got from you.
2,954 posts since
Jan 19, 2008
11.
Jul 15, 2008 7:24 AM
in response to: zoom1
Re: What do you want to know about the MCM?
I want to know what color this year's shirt will be. Can you ask that for me Lauren ?
Also ... too many male marines at the finish line. Can we have more female marines please
I had to hunt one down to get my medal. Fortunately it wasn't very far.
And yes, MarathonFoto sucks. I've said it before and I'll say it again. I've also said it before but I'll type it here again -- go with ASI Photo. Even Brightroom is better.
And I second the issue of the crowds at the finish. The Marines did a good job of keeping people out of the immediate finish area but it was still WAY crowded. The festival was crowded too but what can you expect with that many runners and friends and family.
I'll need a Marine at every 1/4 mile for the first 10 reminding me not to go out too fast. OK, maybe that's asking too much.
No more chocolate brown shirts. Karl deserves the color choice pick this year. Why not olive drab? (Or "sage" . . .  ) Gray or blue technical are good too. The cotton shrinks.
These are all very minor nits. I'm actually quite impressed with the job these folks do for the MCM. If none of that changed, I'd still run it.
Obsessed with running and racing. It's all about the bling, baby! Suck it up and RUN!
2,453 posts since
Aug 15, 2007
Re: What do you want to know about the MCM?
No more chocolate brown shirts. Karl deserves the color choice pick this year. Why not olive drab? (Or "sage" . . . ) Gray or blue technical are good too. The cotton shrinks.
I thought the brown was hideous but I still wear it proudly. And Jerry I could hug you. I could have sworn my shirt shrank but then I figured I just got fat after the marathon. Even though I didn't gain any weight. I just assumed marathon Kat was as tiny as she got and then after that it was all uphill from there and my shirt just didn't fit as well. But shrinking cotton would be a more logical explanation!
I do today what you won't, so tomorrow I do what you can't.
In Training: Pittsburgh Triathlon | My Running Blog
2,954 posts since
Jan 19, 2008
Re: What do you want to know about the MCM?
It was definitely the cotton, Kat. Did your XS really shrink that much? Isn't it ironic that the shrink's shirt shrunk? (Say that 5 times fast.)
My Disney technical shirt fits just fine. And even though I am shrinking, it's still too small. And did I learn? Nope, I ordered the same size again this year!
Obsessed with running and racing. It's all about the bling, baby! Suck it up and RUN!
644 posts since
Jan 19, 2008
Re: What do you want to know about the MCM?
No more chocolate brown shirts. Karl deserves the color choice pick this year. Why not olive drab? (Or "sage" . . . ) Gray or blue technical are good too. The cotton shrinks.
These are all very minor nits. I'm actually quite impressed with the job these folks do for the MCM. If none of that changed, I'd still run it.
I like gray or blue as a color choice. Red would be great also, and it's a Marine color to boot. Last year's shirt is still neatly folded in my closet. It's just tough to wear a shirt that is a 99% match to my complexion. As I mentioned last year, when I put the shirt on, it was hard to tell where it ended and I began. Talk to you soon.
Karl
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