Electric Run recap

Months and months ago six of my friends and I decided to sign up for the Electric Run in Baltimore. We loaded up the cars and drove down to Inner Harbor for the day. 

The expo:
Before the race, we did the packet pickup which was supposed to last from 7 to 9 pm. It clearly started early since we saw people with their packets and there was a massive line right before 7 pm. Their version of the expo was inside a gated off area by the start line. You had to go through security to get there. From what I could see you could pick up any items you purchased through their website and also purchase other things. There were a few more other stands, but we didn't hang around. We had to start getting pretty. 

FYI- the packet pickup the day of the race costs $5. Rip off if you ask me. If you get it shipped to you in advance it also costs $5 so I wish I had just done this option. There is also a packet pickup the day before which I believe is free.


Race day:
With a 9 pm start time, we went out for an early dinner to La Tasca. Stuffing our face with tapas and sangria is a perfect way to prep for a race! Ok not really, but this isn't a real race so it worked for us. 

Beautiful day for a race!

Our race prep really felt like a flashback to the 80s. Neon colors galore! My costume: hot pink tank top, rainbow tutu (reuse for the Disney Princess Half???), and my reflective Nike Pegasus 30s with neon yellow shoe laces. 

I ordered one hundred glow bracelets off of Amazon (much cheaper than the Electric Run stuff and much brighter) and we used them all. It was amazing. I tried putting on neon yellow eye shadow, but it was too close in color to my skin tone. Next I tried hot pink, but I ended up feeling like a drag queen. The weather was perfect- mid 70s and cloudy. During the race there were a few sprinkles, but it felt nice. 

My race:

This was a fun run 5k so there was no racing involved. I heard a rumor there were 15,000 runners and it seemed like it at the pre-run party.

Waves of runners started at 9 pm and were supposed to be done at 9:45, however, there was a huge line at 9:30. No way we were getting up there by 9:45. 

Ready Set Glow!

Safe to say waves of runners were still going past 10 pm. Go time! 

There were some people walking, some people running. My crew ended up splitting up between runners and joggers/walkers. I went with the runners. One thing I am starting to realize is that I really do need my inhaler to run, even in hot weather. Another struggle of mine came from my trip to Newport. When I was walking I tweaked my pelvis. Maybe I turned my leg a certain way while walking, but it started to hurt. I am not entirely sure what is wrong, but it is more sore and starting bothering me during the run. 

Glooooow!

Before we knew it the course was over. No special stops. For some reason I imagined there were be multiple stops with DJs and we'd dance at these stops. 

the runners

The course:

The course was all around Camden Yards and M&T Stadium. There were no hills so it was an easy course. There were no mile markers or any indication of how far you have gone. The course kept passing itself so that also made it confusing to tell how far you had come. The stops were not great. I think I expected more of actual stops or stations. Most of the time they were just blow up animals. One stop were bubbles then another smelled like cotton candy. Overall I was not impressed. 

Final thoughts:
I had fun, but I think I had more fun prepping for the race than the actual race. I was a little disappointed by the stations. I kept comparing this race to the Color Run I did in Philly last summer and it kept coming up short. The water post race was very warm. There were no porta potties during the run (and I wasn't the only one that had to pee midway through). Like I said previously, the stations were much of anything. I would not do this race again and probably would not recommend it. 


Next race: Maryland's Women's Sprint Duathlon

Wounded Warrior Project

I decided against Team in Training for now. Originally I wanted to do TNT for a sprint triathlon, however, they were not offering on this calendar year. I chose to table the idea until 2015 and find another charity to run for. 

Support Wounded Warrior Project

The military has always held a special place in my heart so Wounded Warrior Project came as an obvious choice. I spent a very short amount of time in a wheelchair and have new found appreciation for those with physical disabilities. These veterans need our help. The mission of WWP from the Wounded Warrior Project website:

• raises awareness and enlists the public's aid for the needs of injured service members 
• helps injured service members aid and assist each other
• provides unique, direct programs and service to meet the needs of injured service members

In September I will be running my first half marathon (Rock n Roll in Philly) back from being hit by a car. I am fortunate enough to be able to recover and be able to compete in this race. Some others are not as fortune and need our help. As I train, I am trying to raise $500 for WWP. Please consider any amount for each dollar makes a difference. 

Support Wounded Warrior Project

Thank you in advance!

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