10 Days Until Race Day

Over the past few days, I have gotten some really exciting e-mails from the Baltimore Running Festival.

Yesterday's did it's fair share of fear-mongering by instructing me, at least five times, to read the attached race packet "word for word", "from cover to cover". While this may seem like an inconvenience, it actually got me insanely excited. I did not read the local hotel listings, or the under armour ads word for word, and still have yet to read the packet cover to cover, but everything about where to park for the expo, the location of clock and mile markers, and the race route highlights have got me practically peeing in my pants with excitement. Seriously.

Here are some of the important and fun things I've learned so far in my mandatory reading...

• My race starts at 9:45 AM. I thought it started at 9. Good to know.
• The Baltimore Running Festival will be broadcast on live television (NBC, WBAL) from 8-11 AM.
• Baltimore is an official USATF qualifying race for the Bostom Marathon. I haven't even come close to running a marathon but, as a runner, it's impossible not to at least dream about Boston. If Nikki can run Baltimore in under 3:35, she's a shoe-in for Boston 2013!
• Race shirt exchange is allowed. I like this information since I have been disappointed since March about the largeness of my shirt from that National half.
• There will be clocks and mile markers at miles 1, 5, 10, and 13. I'll rely on my trusty little Garmin for the rest.
• The use of personal music devices is strongly discouraged in this race. Good thing I already decided to go tune-free. More on that tough decision to come.
• There will be several bands and DJ's along the course.
• Themed miles on the course include: The Babe Ruth Mile, the Preakness Mile, the That's Italian Mile, the Johnny Unitas Mile, the Cal Ripken Mile, the Star Spangled Banner Mile, and more. Running only half the course, I'm sure I won't get to experience all of these but I am falling hard and fast in love with Baltimore.
• Spectators (and fans from afar) can track runners by signing up to receive text messages to their cell phones when their runners pass certain mile markers in the race, and when they cross the finish line. I think this is one of the coolest things ever.

I could go on and on. There are lots of things to look forward to. The number one of those is running on adrenaline. To make it even better, I received an e-mail with another one of those fun countdowns this morning. Ten days and counting!

I'll tell you again Baltimore: I am ready. I can't wait to become one with your hilly streets on October 15. Yipee!!