Rock and Roll DC-It's About the Experience

This weekend, I was afforded the luxury of giving back to my sport and sponsor.  Brooks is the title sponsor for the Rock and Roll DC Marathon, and once again, I was invited to represent my niche in the running world.  It is a unique way to see the sport, and an honor for me as an athlete.

            The DC Marathon is the only road marathon I run.  And, this trail runner is always shocked at the commercialism at these events.  At many of my trail races, perhaps the race director has a box in the corner of last year’s  swag.  Maybe they have an online store (Russell-your ears should be ringing).  But, at these expos, the commercialism is paramount.  The R&R DC rents out the Armory and every available foot is filled with vendors. 

Walking through the expo, I will admit that “kid in a candy store” feeling.  You name it, they have it.  But, on second pass, you realize that you do not need the majority of stuff they are selling.   (Brooks--this does not apply to you.  You have never let me down, and you cater to the “true runner”...you will find no filler with Brooks.  Running is ALL they do, and NO ONE does it better).

It is not the case, elsewhere.   I was surprised at how many companies, that sorta kinda have something to do with running, were selling their stuff.   I don’t know why you would go to a race expo to buy an item specifically marked “tennis skirt”, but I saw many people doing so.   Other shoe companies were selling different types of athletic shoes.  If you are a runner, please, I beg you, don’t buy cross-trainers.  And, a little piece of me dies inside; when I watch someone tell their friend they are buying a pair of running shoes because they are “cute” or they “like the color”.  For the love of all that is good, walk over to Brooks and let them find the right kind of shoe for your stride.  And, don’t get me started on the adjustable beds.  Seriously, what the hell are they doing here?

When you strip all that away, you find the runners.   The majority are half marathoners and from discussion, are first timers.   The stories are great...recovery after illness...bucket list...rebuilding after a life change.  These are the ones that want me to take their picture.  My pride abounds for these runners.  

The first time marathoners are easy to pick out.   Simply look for the “deer in the headlights” look.  They are overwhelmed.  They are intimidated.  They are scared.  They question if they are ready and if they have trained enough.   They take comfort when you tell them “You did.  Your training was just what you needed.  You will finish.  And, more importantly, if you get out of your head, you’ll have a great experience”.  I tell them, “I’m running, too.”  It helps with my street cred.  They buy everything in sight.

At the starting line, you see so many of these bright, new purchases being proudly worn (don’t do this, by the way).  There is a palpable excitement when fighter jets fly overhead, and the anthem is sung to a ginormous flag.   There is no doubt where you are.

But once you get past the pomp, you have to run your distance.   Sure, there are landmarks that break up the trek, but you have to run every single step to get from the start to the finish.

 This is my favorite part.  I’ve been running long enough, that I can size up a runner, by how he/she moves.  I can predict who is going to have to dig a little deeper than they thought, and who will have that beautiful gazelle stride that makes it look easy. With well over 20,000 runners, you will see it all.

            Here is where the rubber literally hits the road.  You can see it in the faces; they have passed the starting line crowd, and they hype. They find their stride, or they don't.  
         Now, it doesn’t’ matter that you just bought the “perfect” pair of laces to go with your outfit. You have to do what you got up early, or stayed up late to train for… and run your race.

            Here is where you find tears.  And, walk breaks. And, puke stops.  

            Here is where you see runners finding a way, or not.

            Here is where you see the smiles start to form, when they realize that they “got this”.  Or, you see the resignation, that maybe they shouldn't have told all of their friends they were doing this.  

            Here is where runners become marathoners.

And, here is where, after you finish, you are treated like such a rock star, that you realize, it’s not about the expo and the commercialism, it’s about the experience.