Charmed, I’m Sure

Posted by Will on October 17, 2010

Leg One of the 7 Day Marathon is complete (more info here).

My participation in the 10th edition of the Baltimore Running Festival was due to my deferment from last year (y’know, the whole toe ordeal). I tried to catch up, initially, on training in 2009, but it was all in vain.

As we did last year, Brittany and I stayed the night in the Charm City after picking up my running packet at M&T Stadium, home to the Baltimore Ravens. This makes the next day convenient and there really is no sense of repeating the DC-to-B’more trip less than 12 hours later.

That night I filled my body with a 1/2 pound Angus burger and pub fries (the “Dinner of Champions”) at a local faux medieval English tavern (Burke’s Restaurant) and turned in early, around midnight or so, for the 9:45 a.m. gun.

As I mentioned before, this was the 10th Anniversary of the Baltimore Running Festival. They hold a 5K, half-marathon, team marathon, and full marathon. I have to say, they do an excellent job in regards to logistics. I was really impressed (as I was last year) at how well organized the race was. Everything ran like a very well-oiled machine.

More impressive, and the thing that struck me the most, is how much the residents embrace the race. Unlike any race in D.C. I’ve run, the marathon and half-marathon really cut up in the neighborhoods and communities of Baltimore. To me, while it may be a traffic headache and logistics nightmare, that is a good thing. For someone who has visited primarily the Inner Harbor and Fells Point area, it was real enjoyable to be able to see more of the town. Baltimore has this gritty, blue-collar, hip vibe. So, for one day, I got to trade in the somewhat aloofness of D.C. for the geniality of Baltimore.

The residents really get into the whole event. Littered along the course (along with paper cups) were bands, boom boxes, general well-wishers, people with candy (Starbursts, gummy bears, etc.), men, women, the old, and the young. If you have ever run a race, I think you know how uplifting spectators can be. A good word goes a long way. Baltimore by far was the most hospitable and fervent gallery and for that, I am thankful for those high-fives and words of encouragement (thanks, Hon).

The run went really well. I had made two goals for this race; run the whole time and pace under 10 minutes per mile. Considering the amount of hills on the course and the grades of most of those feared and never-ending, elevated planes, I was quite happy that I easily hit both goals. I expect to hit a fair amount of rises, mounds, and knolls in Athens but I don’t think they’ll be as long or as steep but … honestly, what do I know?

I had a few surprises along the way. One was hearing one of Brittany’s former colleagues offer a word of cheer at the 9th Mile water station. Completely unexpected but totally appreciated (thanks, Kim). But the best moment was on the homestretch, Mile 13, and catching Brittany right before the final push through Camden Yards. Again, a complete surprise but that gave me an extra boost to push through that last tenth of a mile.

Next Sunday I will be taking a 13.1 mile stroll down memory lane through the Classic City with some of my best friends. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Photos by Brittany.

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