The Adventures of DJ: NWM Half - Washington, DC

Well the weekend is finally here! All the girls met up at the loft around 7:30 and we were on the road by 8AM!

With Kris driving, Brandie in charge of PR and Navigation, Kristen and I sat back and enjoyed the ride!

A view in line waiting for packet pick-up

We arrived at the hotel in Loring-Dunn around 3, giving us 3 hours to get to the packet pick up area. After checking into the hotel, picking rooms (rather creatively I would say), getting our luggage situated, we were off to the metro and into DC!

Navigation to packet pick up was a tad difficult for us. We were just given an address and even with all our smart phones - we still got lost! Yet, to our rescue came a cab! He drove us to about a block away.

It just keeps going

Once there we almost immediately saw the outrageous line for packet pick up. What a mess. Nike obviously did not have any logistical staff for this event! Given we still had a couple of hours to get our packets - we opted to walk through the expo first. What were we thinking?! We should have known not to expect lots of fun new vendors to shop - it was a Nike event! There were only a handful of businesses on site giving free sessions: Paul Mitchell was doing hair, Bare Minerals was doing make-up, LUNA bars were offering free cheerleader signs, and then there was Nike EVERYWHERE! It was a fun environment - just unlike any expo we have ever attended.

Once inside the tent there was still a line

After being a tad bummed about it we headed to stand in line for packet pick-up. I'd be surprised if no one GPS'd the distance we had to walk just to get to the end of the line. However, we were to packet pick-up within about 45 minutes. Once into the tent - they had nothing ready… after ID'ing you they then scanned a generic bib, timing chip, and bracelet while handing you your swag bag.

Being that the husband and I run in Atlanta frequently - I was disappointed in the logistics of the NIke event. (ATC - mad props to you! Even with running the Peachtree and 65,000 people picking up packets - I've never waited in line like this!)

Kris, Me, and Kristen at the Expo

Granted after getting our bibs we were a bit more excited! So we opted for another go round at the expo. Excitedly scanning our cards for free shoes - no one won! We also had someone offer half our group free nike+ bracelets and tell us about getting more bracelets on the course tomorrow! Yay - finally - a fun event!

After several photo opportunities, we headed back towards the hotel to find dinner. We ate at a just opened restaurant called - Blackfin (?) - I opted for the chicken fettucine alfredo and a beer. Yum!

Then it was bedtime!