I plan to have the first bus leave at about 7:05 and the second bus depart 5 minutes later. Then, if the first bus goes a bit slower, and the second bus a ltttle faster, they should reach the airport at the same time. After a bathroom, water, and Cinnabon break, I will lead the multitude down the escalator, along the moving walkway, thru the parking lot, up into the plantation, down the rental car access road, back up the trail connector, thru the tunnel, left into the trees, and onto the Mt. Vernon Trail. At this point you go right for the new scenic river and monument run, left for the traditional run. Next stop - Reston!
The weather may be cool and rainy. Dress appropriately. You will need to carry some water on some stretches of the run. Bring a bottle to start, toss it at Roosevelt Island (in a trash can!), buy some water or gatorade at the CVS a mile or so later, and refill the bottle at each water fountain you come to from there. If you are going to buy anything, you will need some money. Make sure you have some identification on you. Vasilene is your friend.
Daunted by the thought of running the full 21 plus miles from the Airport to Reston this Sunday but don't want to miss out on the adventure, comraderie, and fun? Then take one of our exciting "Rosie Ruiz" options - its the best of two worlds!
The Full Rosie: Take the bus with all your friends to Reagan National. Bask in the adulation of the early morning travellers as you stride like a god in your shorts and singlet up to the head of the line at Cinnabon. Then, as the other runners schlepp toward the Mt. Vernon Trail, you take a right after the first moving walkway and get onboard the Metro!! Transfer to the orange line at Rosslyn and go to East Falls Church. Surprise! You are on the W&OD and just an easy 12 mile scamper back to Reston.
The Half Rosie: Run with the group to Rosslyn but at Lynn Street go left and up to the Metro stop. Hop onto a Vienna bound train. Wave to the slugs running up and down the hills along I-66 as you blaze past at 50 miles an hour. Pick up the run again at East Falls Church. You just cut off over five miles. If done properly, no one need know that you've done this. When at the finish people comment on how fast you have become, look down modestly at the ground and say "must be the speed training I've been doing."