Bloggers Invade DC

No, it wasn't just me invading DC.

Apparently the DC National Marathon was a huge draw for food bloggers this year. A ton of bloggers from all over the country came to race in the marathon and half marathon portion of the race. My original plan was to go in and spectate, but due to some unforseen circumstances that kept me awake until 5am (more on that later this week) I obviously opted for a few extra hours of sleep. Congratulations to everyone who ran and PR'ed!!!

After the race, all of us bloggers packed ourselves into the backroom of Northside Social in Arlington. It is a super cute wine and coffee bar. I went with the usual riesling (I'm much more a beer girl than a wine girl).

It was so nice to meet the girls whose blogs I read everyday. It's funny meeting bloggers in real life because you know so much about them already from reading their blog. There was about 40 other bloggers there and we PACKED the back room. I was busy chatting it up with everyone, so I didn't take as many pictures as I would have liked, but did get one with two of my absolute favorites: Kelly from My Verbal Vomit and Kacy from Low and Behold:

I also snapped a photo with Brittney from Life In a Holding Pattern, who was just as sweet in person as she is on her blog:

I also finally met (but did not get pictures with unfortunately) Tina from Carrots n Cake (who I live about 20 minutes from back in Boston funny enough), Nicole from the Yuppie Yogini, Beth from Beth's Journey, Mindy from Just a One Girl Revolution, Victoria from the District Chocoholic, Chase from the Chase Project, Beth from SwimBikeRunDC (who totally ROCKED the half marathon btw), Caitlin from Healthy Tipping Point, and Emily from Daily Garnish (and her husband Casey), just to name a few! Like I said, there were a lot of people there!

The party wound down by 8, but I headed upstairs with Kacy, her SIL (who posts on Kacy's blog), and Kelly to continue our gabbing. I had another glass of wine (you think you know where this is headed, but no, I stopped at 2). I love these instances where you can discuss the "stuff that doesn't go on the blog." You other bloggers know what I'm talking about! We wrapped up and headed our seperate ways around 9 (early night for me, I'm an old lady).

I was supposed to get back to the metro station by 10 in order for the hotel to send a shuttle for me. Well, I arrived at 10:02 and they wouldn't come get me. WTF is that?? 2 minutes late?? So I ended up taking a cab, which I can expense, but still, it was the principal. Couple that with the fitness center with no AC and horrible pillows and this may be one of the worst hotels I have stayed at. If I wasn't spending so much time here over the next six months, I would reveal the hotel, but I don't want them spitting in my room service or giving me dirty sheets, so I will refrain.

Anyone else run any races this past weekend? Have any coming up?