RED Episode 283 Runcation Recap with Tania: Marine Corps Marathon

Hi , I'm Tanya , Proud to be part of the Runcation Nation . You are listening to the Run Eat Drink podcast .

Welcome to the Run Eat Drink podcast . We feature destination races from across the country and after the race , we take you on a tour of the best local food and beverage to celebrate . So , whether you are an elite runner or a back of the pack , local food and beverage to celebrate .

I'm so excited this has been the coolest series for us to do .

I love it .

And get an opportunity to live vicariously through others and to experience some races we haven't had an opportunity to do yet .

I know Our bucket list keeps getting longer and longer .

It's growing .

And today it's going to get even longer because we are joined by Runcation Nation member Tanya , and she is going to recap a fantastic race that I'm sure will make our list go longer . Thank you so much for coming on the Runny Drink podcast .

Yeah , of course I'm happy to be here . Thanks for inviting me .

We are so happy to have you . I am going to tell you that Dana would like the live studio audience to just give you a round of applause . Can you hear the applause ? Did you hear the applause ? Can I get that at work ? Absolutely .

We'll get you one of those easy buttons that you can program with a sound .

Yes , I think I think yes , definitely , definitely . Yes , I think I think yes , definitely , definitely . So , for those in the Runcation Nation who are meeting you for the first time , please do , just before we get into your Runcation recap , tell us who you are , where you're from and what you're drinking , like we like to say on our live streams .

So my name is Tanya . I am originally from Albuquerque , new Mexico , and I currently live in Jacksonville , florida . I work at my medical examiner's office here in Duval County . I love it . I'm not going to go into more detail because some people don't want to hear that , and that is totally fine . It's not for everybody .

We'll get you back on for our new true crime podcast .

That's right . It's in development .

But yeah , I've been running pretty much my whole life , off and on . Since middle school I did track and field and then every so often I'd go to the gym or go outside or whatever in early 20s and then I found the love of racing in that community in my 30s and I haven't looked back . I love it .

Oh , so she was a runner , even when I was hating the mile I had to run as a freshman in high school to meet a PE requirement .

I was with you .

You , I mean , did you hate it ?

I hated running the mile .

You hated running the mile .

I hated it . I cried when my gym teacher wanted me to run the mile for a track meet Because I was a sprinter .

Oh , not about the distance running for you , it's about the speed .

But then you developed a love for the distance running in your thirties , like you said . So you caught the bug , yeah .

We've got you here this week to recap a race for us .

Yes .

And you know the deal . You're part of the runcation nation . We love to accomplish , explore and indulge and we want people to know about amazing races and great places to go after they have crossed that finish line , about amazing races and great places to go after they have crossed that finish line .

So I tell everybody , especially first-time marathoners , probably because it's my bias and it was my first marathon but the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington Dhington dc is definitely a must do , especially if you've never been there , but even if you have , it's a great tour of dc .

It's like us . We come to your neck of the woods now that you're in . Jacksonville to do Donna every year and , like you said , with Marine Corps , we got the bug also from our first race that we keep going back to Wine and Dine , because that was the one that got us .

And let's face it , it's on brand .

That's true , but I want to hear what's on brand about this one .

Now you are , I think , probably the let's call it the 10th or 11th person I've talked about Marine Corps Marathon with and to a person , everybody's . You got to do this race , you got to do this race , you got to do this race and I've never had anybody go . It was all right .

No .

Just that doesn't happen .

So this is perfect , this is perfect . So I think we should start , okay , so I think , the marathon . So the Marine Corps has a collection of races and you're going to focus on the marathon , yeah , okay . So is there a tough registration process for that ?

There used to be , but ever since 2020 they have not had to have a lottery . They were lottery for a while , so I worked really hard to get into the runners club , run it five times and then you're in for a life , no matter what . Oh but , now the past couple years it's just a free free for all until they fill up .

Is that still ?

The 50th is up next year and I have a feeling it may go lottery next year . I don't know .

Is the Runners Club still a thing ?

Yeah , wow , you run the marathon five times and you're in Mm-hmm , okay .

That's a nice little nugget for the Runcation Nation right there .

Thank you , I like that bonus , I like it yeah , you still have to pay for it , but it is guaranteed entry so you know it does get to the point where it's very popular again and they're having to do a lottery .

It's a nice little perk to have heck yeah , especially if that's one you want to do every year . I think that's a nice bonus , unlike certain other races that are in Orlando that charge you an exorbitant membership fee to join their club . Hint , hint . We didn't join that club , nor will we .

Okay , I'm not doing that Me either , I just yeah .

But that's a different conversation for a different episode .

We just have to get lucky . Then how expensive is it to register ? You still have to pay , but how yeah ?

So I want to say it was about $248 last year .

That's not bad . That's not bad .

No , not bad .

That's your , that's all the Encore support , that's your shirt , your medal , that's an and apparently an amazing experience . Is there a ? I feel like Roxanne talked to us about pace requirements or cutoffs or something of that sort . So when you're registering for this , what do you need to be cognizant of ? If you're a back of the packer like us ?

There is that , so I won't lie . There are pace requirements . Because it's such a big city , they do have to close down roads and people have to be cleared by a certain amount of time . So they set it at a 14 minute mile pace for the last person to cross With .

In that room .

Yeah , there's wiggle room , okay . Okay , there is a wagon that will pick you up if you are too slow , and of course that that sucks but yeah , we under totally understand why . And this it's a logistics problem because the course support is amazing , even for the back of the packers oh , that's good yeah , I can't complain about that .

But , yeah , I understand why planning for shutting roads down and how expensive the law enforcement support is for a race . That's an onerous cost for any race . I get it . I would say Runcation Nation if you're , if you've got your eye towards this one . While there may be some wiggle room , train for at least that 14 minute .

Definitely train for the 14 . But like one thing I've noticed is I tend to train by myself , so that's probably part of it . I don't have that group energy .

There's definitely something about the energy on the course .

Yes , that's what it sounds like to me , yeah .

Now we were talking with our friend of the show , cheryl , in another episode and she was talking about one of the sister races and in the course of discussion I believe it was an after discussion for patrons which , by the way , patrons you will get a little bit of bonus content here and , of course , the video of this interview .

And buy me a coffee .

And buy me a coffee . Yes , she showed us some medals that they had done . I want to say it was for their 40th anniversary run and it had sand from Iwo Jima in it .

Was that or was it from 2020 and it was a virtual ?

It was 2020's marathon .

Oh , okay .

Yeah .

That was super cool .

That was a cool medal .

Cool , it was very special . I'm I am absolutely bling driven . I probably was a raccoon in a previous life . What's the bling like generally for this race ? That was a seemed like it was like I thought it was a special year . Maybe I was wrong on that one , so it was a special year . Maybe I was wrong on that one , so it was 2020s .

I can't complain at all . My husband's a Marine .

You're not allowed to complain if your husband's a Marine .

He's not active anymore , so he's a vet .

but he's a former Marine .

He loves the AGAs , so I don't know if they have any plans to change it . I hope not , cause they've got a good thing going , but they are . They've been EGAs for at least the past 10 years and they're gorgeous , they're . I can show you some that I've got .

Oh , yes , we would love that . I know Dana would love that especially .

I'm a fan .

And we're taking . So we're taking a field trip with Tanya and she's going to show us some of her medals .

She's got a couple , just a couple .

Yay , those are the five , so this one is the one with the sand in it .

So the EGA , of course , is the eagle , the globe and the anchor .

Oh .

So there's that .

Look at that .

Those are sharp .

I like that red . It looks so dark .

It's nice that they've done variations on the similar metal for so many years . That's cool .

Yeah , and last year's was this one . Look at it , that is one Look at it .

That is sharp . Look at it .

Sorry , I have to scroll away , but it opens up .

Oh , no way .

And you get a . Oh , there we go . Can you see the dog tag .

Yeah , it's got a dog tag inside . That is awesome .

But that's not the only one that opens up .

I was going to ask you are they all ones that actually open ?

That red one that you light up , it's so sharp . Oh my gosh .

What is ?

that Does it have a challenge coin inside .

It's a challenge coin and it comes out , but I only have one hand right now . Oh , that's okay , oh my gosh , that is so cool . Also opens up and it just looks pretty .

Oh , my goodness , Okay , the medals . Their medal game is strong .

Super strong .

Yeah , I'm a magpie also , or maybe I was a raccoon .

I get the medal love . So now those are all marathon medals that you just showed off . Yeah , those are all the marathon medals . It's 14 minutes .

Yes .

I just we've talked about the bling motivation . I know I shouldn't talk about this , I know I shouldn't ask . It's always at this point where I am tempted by the bling that I want to ask this question which is happening later , which probably fits in later Is it really hilly ?

there are some hills and it wouldn't be a race by the Marine Corps If you didn't finish on an uphill of course . Oh , of course .

You got to take that hill .

Yeah , so the first three miles are uphill . I'm sorry , the first three the first three miles are uphill and that's probably the steepest part of the race .

So you get it out of the way from .

There . And then it's flat from there fairly flat fairly flat because you still have to go up and then down , like rock creek parkway near , near georgetown , and then , yeah , you end up on it looks . It's a lot worse on race day if you go by the iwo jima memorial .

It's like when they used to do the the last or mile 12 at donna , at the top of that bridge . Oh for the half . Yeah . Ran downhill into the Mayo clinic parking lot . Yeah , the last part's great , but oof . Okay , yeah , I'm so sorry , just I had to we will be getting back to the race course itself .

Yes , oh , yes , I would think it's . It's three months . It's the first . Three miles is uphill and then it's fairly flat .

Fairly flat . So if you look it up online , most people say it's a relatively flat course . Okay , but it is enough . I have a necklace made that has the elevation chart on it oh cool . So it's this little hump there and then it does a little like this and then it ends just on a slight little uphill .

She sounds like Jeff Galloway talking about the end of his race .

Oh yeah , oh , you end at a lower elevation than when you started . But there's a whole lot of this in between .

Yeah , Virginia Highlands , whatever Atlanta , no Okay .

It's net downhill .

Right .

It's mostly flat . It's net downhill , unfortunately . Okay . Okay , I would agree it is relatively flat , but there are still some areas nowhere near the first three miles , but still some areas where you do have a little bit of hilly .

Okay , okay , okay .

Good to know , but then you have to go down . There's a big downhill in Georgetown and I look forward to that every year .

At least there's that she's keeping it positive If you're going uphill , you've got to at some point go downhill .

Leaving Georgetown . It's great .

She's going positive . She's going positive , Is there ?

You have a spouse that served . Is there a cause that is normally attached to the Marine Corps Marathon ? Is it for different causes or because it's called the marine corps marathon but the marine corps marathon does not like it's not their race . If that makes sense , yes , so they do provide support .

They were newly promoted .

So that's special . They're like baby-faced butter bars , that's special .

They're like baby faced butter bars . That's cool .

But yeah , they salute you and then they give you your medal . How cool is that ? But yeah , it's lined with lots of brass , especially at the finish . They're all cheering you on up that hill .

So naturally that it provides the necessary motivation .

Naturally that it provides the necessary motivation .

Yeah .

But to get back to your original question , as far as like charities and whatnot , there's a lot that are associated , like the Semper Fi Funds , run Blue and then Team RWB . Those are really big ones and they all have a presence there . I'm pretty sure you can get bibs through all three of them .

I could be wrong , Don't quote me on that but I'm pretty sure they all offer that . I know we've run Anchorage Run Fest with Team RWB .

We've seen them at multiple yes , at multiple race weekends . So that is .

Yeah , they're great , and I ran with them , not like officially , but I wore their shirt , for the first couple at least .

And , yeah , they're great . Naturally , I would think that it just the whole course and atmosphere and every everything , the runners and the military presence , the marine corps presence , just motivate you all the way through .

Yeah , absolutely that you'd alluded to it , though it's not just marines all the way through .

Yeah , absolutely , you'd alluded to it , though it's not just Marines on the course . You get a lot of community and crowd support also .

Yeah , especially if you're going through the neighborhoods shop owners , you know even homeowners , they'll come out and cheer you on .

Um , yeah , crowd support right . What I want to say is you're in Jacksonville , you've run Donna .

Yes .

Compare the two in terms of crowd support .

Donna is a party the whole way and of course I've only done the half so I can't speak for the full , but considering you do it twice , I'm guessing it's just an extended part , that's what we've heard .

That is what we've heard , so I don't know .

It's just an extended part . That's what we've heard . That is what we've heard , so I don't know . It's different . It's great , but it's different .

It's motivational , but also probably emotional .

It is very emotional , especially like mile 13 is the blue mile and we've heard of this , yeah that's their blue mile . So I challenge everyone not to at least well up during that mile . That's hard .

And for those that don't know about the blue mile , can you tell them what they , what you would encounter ?

Yeah . So where blue is a great organization they work with for the fallen and for the families I'm pretty sure that's their slogan for the fighting fallen and families . They are support for those who have family , friends , loved ones who are serving currently , who have passed , and they want to keep those memories alive .

I can imagine .

Yeah , I don't know it gives purpose to your miles , and especially with a course that has an area in Haines Point where that is located , that just doesn't have the crowd support that you have elsewhere . That mental battle is really starting around mile 13 , 14 , 15 . And that just gives you something else to run for .

Yeah , absolutely yeah . You just mentioned , like kind of where the mental battle begins , so that's a great way for us to segue into preparation for the race , and you've clearly done this race once or twice based on your metal wall .

Just a couple times .

What training plan do you gravitate towards and can you talk about ? What do you do in terms of training for heat and hills and give us a little insight into your process ?

I'm no expert by any means , I'm not a run coach .

Yeah .

Walk breaks as necessary . So I don't follow a strict Galloway plan but I really like his method . I really do feel like it saves my legs . So that's my plan I it's not set in stone . It has to be a little more fluid but being in florida , that really helps the heat and humidity , because people will be complaining up in dc .

Yeah , you're like where's my lotion ? I'm feeling a little lizard skinny . Today now we had the same thing . We were up in Anchorage and they were putting a black flag warning on the race course at the Anchorage run fest because the high was going to be 75 degrees and they were serious don't go for a PR , take , take your , take it easy .

What are you talking ?

about Great yeah , so good . Like I'm somewhat acclimated to Florida , but I don't know that I ever will completely be , because I am a desert girl through and through . So this humidity kills me every year .

So you are officially saying that it's a wet heat , not a dry heat ?

Yeah .

See , it's a . Thing .

It is a thing . The air is thick , and I didn't understand what that meant until I lived here .

Yeah , oh , it really is .

It's brutally miserable here in the summertime .

DC's a special kind of place because it's really hit or miss . That race can be truly hot and humid .

Okay , we were going to ask about this .

It can be hot and humid , with the sun blazing . And , like last year , they made the right call because apparently there were a few people that had medical emergencies . I didn't think the weather was too bad .

That's it Exactly and that's the way you got to look at it , for when that happens .

And we've had Exactly , and that's the way you got to look at it , for when that happens and we've had it happen and we know that and we're just what you finish the race they give you , or you finish the race that's in you that day , exactly . So that's how I feel about it .

Now I was going to say when you're training for this race , do you incorporate any hill work or specific heat training ? She's got like going out in the hotter part of the day specifically , or no .

I don't do well in the heat , so I'm prefacing that with that or this with that .

I understand Preach yeah .

So Florida , as you have to get up before the crack of dawn , especially for those long , slow miles , and even then the sun is blazing and it's 10 o'clock in the morning and you've still got three , four , five miles to go , the struggle's real .

Huh , what hell . I didn't know if you threw in some . You threw in some afternoons on the dreadmill maybe , or you found the local parking deck or you ran one of those beautiful bridges you have up there in Jacksonville .

No .

No .

I do have a treadmill . I did buy one oh there you go . It's great for hill training . I did incorporate that this last year when I did Marine Corps back-to-back with New York the next week and I feel like it made a huge difference and did some like strength training and things . But yeah , no , I'm a bad example . I tell people don't train like me .

Because it depends on you . Everybody is made differently . Everybody's in a different climate . Everybody's body handles nutrition differently Absolutely . Everybody handles different courses , different weather . It's all you do have to customize your training . It's true ? Yeah , it's true .

And enjoy it , because if you're enjoying it , you're not going to do it . And then race day is going to come , whether you're ready or not , and if you're not , you're really going to feel it . You are .

And then for this race , do you carry your own nutrition and hydration with you , or how's the on-course support ? Do you supplement on-course with your own , and if so , what ?

Yes , so I . There's another guy that I follow that runs a lot of run to the Disney races and I forget his handle right now , but he was on another podcast talking about how he was instructing another runner on the heat and humidity someone who wasn't used to it . He's like just small sips frequently . I do that . I find that really helps .

Exactly Makes total sense . Exactly , what flavor of Tailwind do you take with you ?

I like mixing them . Ah , very good , I really like mixing . I don't think they make it anymore , but when they did , the green tea and the berry were really good together .

The green tea and the berry . I just like to get all the inside information .

Yeah , we've got some tailwind . We're going to be evaluating and doing a little bit of a test and a T&E for the Runcation Nation .

I like it , they do say , and I've been taking it for since 2018 , so a while now and it worked well for me . I will say , for longer races and such , I still tend to supplement with some snacks . They say you can , that's all you need all day really , but for longer races I need a little more yeah , and to cut it with water .

Oh , okay .

Oh , I'm not going to be sipping on that and like that wouldn't , I would get way too thirsty . It's all that salt . Sure Okay , I love it , I really do , and their recovery stuff is really good too afterwards .

Yeah , their recovery stuff has protein in it . That's a nice bonus right there .

And I keep a little Hydro Flask . I'll bring a Hydro Flask with especially for local . If I have a local half or something , I'll keep a Hydro Flask with very cold , like coconut milk . I have a toasted coconut and almond milk that I like . I'll put that in and then I'll have my shaker bottle ready with the powder .

Yeah .

We're getting inside information .

And coconut water if you don't like it . Generally I know Vita Cocoa's got one flavor that's got a little more of the coconut pulp in it , which has a little more coconut flavor .

Yeah .

But , yeah it is a really good natural hydration option .

Yeah , it is definitely .

I imagine no costume at this particular race for the marathon .

What Surprise . I have not run in costume for Marine Corps , but there are people that do . And because it's the last Sunday in October , sometimes it's on Halloween , oh that's cool .

I didn't know that because I was about to make a joke and go to the Marines . Call it a uniform , not a costume , Just saying .

Oh , I see what yeah , okay .

So I want to say 2020 was supposed to be on Halloween and of course that the in-person got canceled , so that was dash , but next time yes , next time .

Do you have a favorite go-to gear that you run in when you don't run in costume ? As far as like brands or yeah , because like I'll do the belega socks and all and there's a certain Boulder leggings .

RIP Boulder athletic wear .

I know so sad they're still in there . I know I feel like they're just trying to keep going . I want them to keep going .

She's going to run until those things just disintegrate .

I ordered so many I'm not going to .

You and I both , I've got a whole two drawers full .

I know it , I know it , I know it . I'm telling you the sum I know and the pockets and everything . It's so functional , so clearly . You like boulder , like I do .

I worn them for marine corps also because I had one of their like Liberty skirt but like flutter cut and it was adorable , so I wore that for like my first two . But yeah , I am a brand ambassador for rabbit and I love it . I love their gear , so I've been wearing that Nice .

We'll link to that in the show notes . Not a sponsor of the show . No no but we will Could be , just saying .

I wish you would as a rad rabbit .

We have a rad rabbit . I like it . I like it .

So we've talked a little bit about it . You alluded to it . The course takes you through some amazingly historic areas in the metro DC area or in DC proper . For those that are going to be traveling there for a runcation , what is your recommendation ? Should they do rent a car , ride , share public transit ?

It does depend on what you want to do . So , having been someone who did live there for a few years and frequently visits- this is important what my husband and I do . Um , typically we do drive up still , but we make the most out of the metro . We pretty much exclusively use the metro system because it's so good .

It's horrendous on a good day .

Yeah .

Just so we're clear . And now you're adding Marine Corps marathon on top of that . Yeah , Plus whatever else might be going on on that given weekend . You never know . We showed up to DC the last time and and Rolling Thunder was there .

My mom lived in Crystal City for a little while and she hated every year she's these bikes . They're so loud .

And there's a lot of them .

But yeah , no , it's true there's always something coming and going on , so plan accordingly , but we love making use of the metro system . You pretty much can get anywhere . It's a very walkable city .

Now , what about lodging and where you recommend staying . I don't know if you stay with family while you're up there or because you make a drive of it and then use the Metro , but where do you recommend staying ?

If you can make some nice running friends , they're great to stay with . So that's generally what we do .

It does help .

I'm part of some Marine Corps groups on Facebook and social media and I see a lot of people stay in crystal city , roslyn . I would like to add . Ballston is not a bad idea , especially if you're gonna be taking the metro . It may not . They're trying to revitalize it , if you will , and they're putting up more apartments and things .

Okay , I was going to ask , ask , so let's talk . Race morning , you're there . Are you taking the metro to the start line ? Is that a doable approach ? What do you recommend there ?

you can take the metro . They open up . Oh now , I should have looked at that . But race morning I want to say they open up at 6 sharp , so it is earlier than they normally do . Oh , okay , and it works out just fine . I would say get there , be there at 6 , 6 , 10 , 15 maybe , but then you want to get off . They have a couple stops .

I imagine there are going to be organized corrals and it's the marines announcers getting you , possibly making you do burpees , or I don't know really not .

No , okay , no I . The energy is palpable as soon as you get to the . Like Disney or New York , any other race that people have done . Race morning's just special .

You can feel it .

But there's not a whole lot going on in the Runner's Village area .

It's not like disney where people are like no , your bib says e , you can't be here and see , or anything like that but , I recommend people stick with what you registered for , at least trained for , that way you don't get run over sure , but if you had a friend , maybe , and the two of you were separated by corrals , you could theoretically go get with them

That's true , I agree . Any race , any race .

Doesn't matter .

Or your Boston Marathon .

Exactly , Any race Exactly . And on the course are there pace groups .

Yes .

Yes .

And I think they're marathon maniacs .

Okay .

I'm pretty sure .

Good to know .

But pre-race , if the weather is good , which is most mornings that they have this . I think I've only not seen it once , but they do an Osprey flyover .

Oh cool . The V-22 Osprey is the vertical takeoff and landing aircraft personnel carrier aircraft .

They'll have people parachuting with the flag out of the plane .

That's special , that's cool .

Oh , so that's cool .

I grew up next to MacDill Air Force Base . We didn't have Ospreys , we had F-16s , but it was the air show every year . In fact , it just happened in Tampa last weekend and it draws over 100,000 people each weekend to the base .

It's pretty wild , wow . So that is what's good about the pre-race and the start , or are there more bells and whistles that we missed ?

at the start , you get an air show . You get an air show you get an air show .

I'm just I'm checking and you can hear them before you can see them . So that's even cooler . And you start by arlington cemetery , which is close to where you're gonna finish , and then they always have some somebody singing , yeah oh , wow it's cool Now .

you mentioned water stops about every two miles . Do they also have nutrition stops , first aid stops in addition to that ?

Or they do and I want to say it , trying to think if it's staggered or around the , I want to say they're close to the water . Stop , the water stops and then they'll . It's tended to change every year . They'll have a sponsored hydration or nutrition , like last year . I want to say they're doing it this year too .

You're the second person to mention this to us .

I love Untapped . I love it .

I feel , like we may have to see if we can get them to send us a sample to try .

Gosh , I hope so . They're so good . Oh , good to know we're learning all sorts of great stuff now . We've talked about the course , the kind of spaced out water , new nutrition , that kind of thing , the finish line experience .

How's that ? Tears , no , it's great , it really is . You get into chris . So towards the end mile 21 , 22 you're in crystal city and then for a few miles it's kind of concrete jungle desert , if that makes sense . So very little course support after crystal city , which sucks because it's towards the end . You're really needing it at that point .

That's got to make you feel like a badass .

And then you get your medal , saluted by a newly minted lieutenant yeah , yay , and then is there a post-race party .

There is . I'll be honest and say that I haven't really attended it okay usually exhausted and hungry and wanting to shower and and sleep and eat at the same time . We understand oh yes , absolutely for sure but I know there is like post-race event stuff going on in roslyn okay have the free beer that that varies every year .

It's sometimes it's not the one you want , it's the one you need .

Absolutely , whatever they say , absolutely , and besides that , I'll tell you after 13 miles of hot running that McUltra will go down like a fat kid on a seesaw . And then you don't realize that every single one of those you're drinking is 4.7% ABV . And then all of a sudden you're like , ooh , I need food , or so I've read on the internet .

Yeah , we , yeah , we really wouldn't know .

No Now , given your limited experience with this race .

Oh yeah , so limited .

Yeah , just you've read about it on the internet . In your opinion , the challenge of this race is it physical or mental ?

Yes .

That is an acceptable answer .

Yes , a marathon you cannot take for granted . It killed the first guy that ran it Coming from somebody who has really flubbed training in the past before and got sidelined with an injury and just muddled their way through a marathon .

I don't know what that's like .

I think if you do at least a few , you know what that's like . But yeah , there's obviously going to be the physical challenge , but this one gets you right in the feels with the service members and their families are cheering them on too , and you're surrounded by active duty folks who got their leave and they're able to run .

That's something that we haven't talked about , so the Marine Corps will give leave to come run this .

I can't speak for them . I'm not sure .

No , but there are soldiers . I've heard this exact thing . So , yes , like I've heard that they won't let them all go . They got wars to fight and stuff , but there are some that they'll get trained up and then they'll actually get approved to leave , to come back , and it's super cool .

Yeah .

And then you get the people that you strike up conversation with that are wearing grandpa on their back or their brother's picture on their back , or sister , or mom , dad tell me about someone , so you spend a mile talking about them . It gets you in the feels . So there's that .

Yeah , but it sounds like it's worth it .

It's so worth it , See look .

See yeah , again . It's the bling , she's not going . Eh , it's okay .

And you get a patch . Dana , you get a patch too .

Oh really , yeah , Very cool . See , this is my kind of bling right here , right .

Yes , exactly . But she made an excellent point that when you cross the finish line , maybe you're not going to stick around for the post race whatever , because you want to shower .

We're guilty of that .

And you want food and beverage .

Yeah , we are guilty of that . We'll get our own food and beverage later .

Yes , I've been guilty of having my husband bring me a Bloody Mary to the gate . Oh , and nothing hits like a Bloody Mary after you've been sweating in the heat for a couple hours .

Oh yeah , the salt , yeah , and it's salty .

It's good for you Tomatoes .

It's vegetable right . Technically , it's a fruit .

Whatever , I'm not going to argue with you . Potato vodka , yeah .

Made from potatoes . What do you want from us ?

Potatoes are very versatile . It's like other vegetables aren't even trying .

That's right . Come on , step up your game . Be part of the Bloody Mary celery celery stock flowers trying , I don't know I haven't seen any cauliflower spirits yet oh , I'm not sure .

I want to try that , no we have had sweet potato vodka though we have yeah , when did ? We two tit mice . That that's for they're a Donna sponsor .

Yeah .

Yeah , sweet potato vodka , good yeah . So we've done the same thing . We've said , okay , there's a post-race party , we're going to see it real quick , but we're not sticking around . Yeah , and you go , get cleaned up . Where are you going for a celebratory meal after this race and where ?

should we go ? Where should we go ? My train is lost , dog pizza oh , it's pizza . Yeah , all right , all right and I always think I'm gonna finish this whole thing and I eat two slices and I'm done because your stomach is a little wonky afterwards . Yeah , the next day I finished the entire thing , but day of yeah , I get lost dog pizza .

We are going to have links to everything that Tanya mentions in the show notes .

Yeah , and they're cool . They support , like shelter dogs oh .

Oh .

You're doing good . Oh , I love that we proudly support lost dog and cat rescue foundation they're a cool place and their pizza is really good which one should we get ? I ? What is the name of it ? Wait , I can pull up the menu I want to say I can help I think I get the kujo every time . It's like I'm sorry With chicken .

Oh , the Cujo .

Yeah , is that it ? Let's see it's pesto marinara chicken mozzarella .

That sounds amazing . I'm a sucker for pesto period .

We should . I'm on the appetizer . It's a appetizer with pesto also .

Which that ? That's different because usually it's white pizza with pesto that you see okay , yes , yes , yes , I . So we should right , we should get it , yes so what kind of pizzeria would you describe this , as this isn't like a white tablecloth cut , eat your pizza .

They got pizzas called kujo , so it's probably not a knife and fork white tablecloth no , I think they do have knives and forks if you need it , but no , I go in like my sweatshirt and comfy pants and my ufos and your metal and your metal oh yeah , I wear my metal for the next day .

Good yes , I'm a believer in that . You go to a town . They're hosting a big race weekend . Wear your medal .

I do have to . And leaving New York was funny . I say that because typically we're driving to DC , so I don't get the airport experience . But leaving New York , coming home , you could pick out all the marathoners because they're all wearing the hat , the jacket , the metal , the shirt .

They've got the standard issue uniform on from the standard issue uniform , you can hear it ? Hear them clanging . It's like walking around Disney on a race weekend . You hear the clang ?

And I imagine that's what you pick up at the expo . That's the gear . I imagine that they tend to pre-order it .

Lots of places are doing pre-orders now yeah , it just makes it easier . Just makes it easier for new york and I carried it with me to wear there and I'm glad I did , because there was like a finisher beanie I really wanted . Oh , I bought that .

Yeah , I wish Disney would go to that pre-order online thing yeah . Because if more races did that , they'd have fewer angry podcasters talking about what a bad experience they had at their merch stand .

Thank you Just saying I'm not bitter though this needs to revamp a lot , I feel like .

We're going to have you back on for that discussion , I think .

Like a Disney race and I tell people that I'm like , if you really want to , it can't be matched , it's its own thing . Yeah , they're not perfect .

And nobody is .

No races .

Exactly .

Now for Lost Dog Pizza reservations , or no , Nope ? Okay , so this is a casual spot . I love that .

Yeah , it's a casual spot . They do have beer on tap and in coolers . My husband's been able to find left-hand beer there , so sometimes you get surprised .

Your husband's a man after my own heart .

Left-hand milk stout love it , just saying he likes the whole star also good he's been able to find that when we lived in arlington that that lost dog had it sometimes that's a perfect segue into my next question .

I am so sorry , I was just I'm looking at pictures of the pizza pizza and he me and I was like , oh , I'm supposed to ask about the beverage .

Let's talk about the beverage . Are you looking for a celebratory beverage , in particular after this race ? If so , where are you going ? And then , where should we go ?

She talked about the Bloody Mary , but let's hear more .

Her husband's not going to bring us a Bloody Mary at the end of the race .

Oh , that's true , Carry on .

You know bloody mary at the end of the race . Oh , that's true . Carry on . You know what I do for . The bloody marys , though , is so we were privy to this mix when we went to a wedding for one of our friends at margaritaville .

That's okay too , Absolutely .

It just all depends also on how your tummy is .

And that's a big one . And that can vary from race to race .

And that's a big one , and that can vary from race to race or if you make it a true runcation and you have the celebratory , the recovery day , then afterwards you may want to visit breweries , etc . Yeah , one cidery . I really like because it's for you know , we usually spend most of our time in Virginia , stay with our friends in virginia .

I love a trend .

Yeah , they're all okay yes , there's lots of breweries too , um sure of the places we like to go . Oh , I didn't prep this very well that's okay for all of this that's okay .

We understand from cheryl that lost boy cidery is not based on the movie the 80s vampire 80s vampire movie .

It's not I don't know their backstory , I don't know their backstory .

But I got excited . I was like , oh , is this the movie ?

no , okay , that's okay , it's still good cider because I think lost boy and I have a lost boy , peter pan oh , there's , that is peter pan too .

Yeah , that's .

Yeah , but I really don't know . I just know their cider's delicious .

I think that's probably an homage to Peter Pan . Peter Pan yes .

Because I just was on their about page . Ah yeah , so at any rate we know .

Yes .

It's not a movie reference .

And it's also not a fluke that it was mentioned once . We now have some independent confirmation . We do ?

We didn't solicit Not at all .

We didn't .

They didn't compare notes . I love it . I love it . So where are you accomplishing , exploring and indulging ?

next Tanya so funny , you should ask . So my husband and I are taking a run , true , like runcation . He's never been to the keys . So we're gonna go down to the keys and I'm gonna run the seven mile bridge run this weekend . It's so hard to get into that oh , it sold out in four minutes .

I couldn't believe that dang race and the skyway 10k or two we have not been able to successfully get into yet .

Yeah , how did you get into it ?

I was up very early . I got it in bed on my phone . I just pressed the button as soon as it turned six o'clock .

So only one device , the universe rewarded her for only using one device . I guess , Amy will be on a Disney race day . She'll have four devices , two browsers in each one , chrome and Safari , and multiple tabs , and yeah , and then her phone . Yeah , it's calling me going get log on , try it .

For Disney . You have to . It's . Yeah , I feel like . I feel like such a zoo disney's so hard and I was so frustrated trying to get into dopey a couple years ago and I was when everybody had that issue . What was it 2022 , yes , or was it 23 ?

it was 23 . It was both .

They always have an issue I don't know their web page looked like it had been eaten by Lilo and Stitch .

It was awful , but I was on hold for two hours or something and then of course everything sold out . Of course that whole mess Nightmare .

That'll be the day that we get an explicit tag on this show .

You think ?

If that ever happens , yeah , that will be . Oh yeah , that will be , ooh yeah . If whatever happens , Going through all of that , where you're on hold for two hours , then everything gets sold out from under you Cause you're yeah , oh me and for you .

But it's okay , it's all right , I was very upset , I was very mad , but I ended up doing goofy with a great charity .

Oh , it worked out . Sometimes you are handed an obstacle and then it becomes something even better .

The obstacle is the way .

Yeah , the obstacle is the way , yeah , so .

Where can the Runcation Nation connect with you if they wanted to follow your antics or just say hi , I'm also a fellow Runcation Nation citizen . I'm also a fellow Runcation Nation citizen .

I am mostly on Instagram and my handle is at this underscore Phoenix . Underscore runs .

And we will have a link there as well . Tanya , thank you for joining us and congratulations on completing this race and I can't tell you how much we appreciate you being a part of the Runcation Nation . You're awesome .

Oh my gosh , what a good time . We can't wait to accomplish no-transcript .