“Then where does the power come from, to see the race to its end? From within.” (Chariots of Fire)

KISS THE BRICKS AT THE INDY MOTOR SPEEDWAY!

For some of you this may be your first “big crowd” race. In addition to the archive link Tim provided below, here is some helpful information.

**This week: taper, taper, taper. Give your body to rest Thursday and Friday. Get some sleep and avoid strenuous workouts. Stretch, go for an easy run, recharge.

**Before you go: Make a list of what you need to bring (shirt, shoes, socks, energy gel, body glide, etc. Leave the headphones home – course rules state “participants will not be allowed to wear earphones or earbuds”– though you’ll see plenty people wearing them! There is a lot of entertainment along the route.) Confirm hotel reservations. Make dinner plans for early Friday evening. Be sure whatever you eat Friday night is something you’ve eaten before a long run and you know it settles well on your stomach. Bring with you to the hotel what you would normally eat before a long run for breakfast.

**The weather Saturday is supposed to be sunny, with race time temperatures in the 50’s and 60’s. Dress for 15 degrees warmer and hydrate, hydrate, hydrate both in the days leading up to the rae and during the race. Don’t over dress and be sure to wear sunscreen!

**Pick up your packet by 9:00 p.m. on Friday evening at the Expo: Indiana Convention Center at 100 S. Capitol Ave. Bring your confirmation booklet with you – however if you forget, they will look up your bib number (bring photo id). Save your energy! The expo is really a neat experience and you can purchase just about anything running – related, however, walking around the expo can be tiring. Unless you absolutely have to, do not wear any clothing purchased at the expo for the race – you should wear clothes, shoes, socks, etc., that you have already comfortably run in. Put your chip on your shoes and your bib number (fill out the back with emergency information) on the front of your clothes.

**Indiana is on EDT, an hour earlier than our time. Plan accordingly for travel, etc.
The race starts at 7:33 a.m. and it is suggested that you find your corral by 7:00 a.m. Allow plenty of time for parking, gear check, porta-potty stops, etc.

**Family and friends can track you with your bib number at http://www.500festival.com/. Your bib number is on the back of your confirmation book, next to your address.

**Your assigned corral will be located on your bib number. Those with a faster corral assignment can move down to run with another runner in a slower corral, but the slower runner cannot move up. If you stop to walk or slow down significantly move to the right to let faster runners pass you.

**The energy at the starting line of a race like this is amazing – remember, though that this energy can zap you. Stay relaxed and focused. Remember – you’ve trained hard for this. You can do this! Since the race is chip-timed – be patient at the start and move forward at an even pace with the crowd. Zig-zagging through the crowd only uses up energy and makes your run even longer! Listen to the sound of 35,000 feet all running at the same time. It is one of the most amazing sounds.

**Smile for the camera: there will be professional photographers taking pictures all along the route – you’ll be able to see and order them a couple days after the race!

**Post Race: Celebrate your accomplishment at Military Park until 2:00 p.m. Food, beer, music, and shopping – what better way to celebrate? Make plans where you will meet up with family and friends. Go to the Miller Lite tent and have your finishing time put on your participant T-shirt! Miller Lite is doing this as a free service to all interested runners.

**Indianapolis Speedway: Stick around Sunday for activities at the race track, including free pancake breakfast and opening day at the race track. There's a great museum as well.

**Tell us your story – if you have pictures or a story you’d like to share, send them to me and I’ll get it into the Foot Trails magazine.

**Good luck and remember – not everyone can run a half-marathon foot race. It takes proper training and a half-witted attitude to even make it to the starting line. Regardless of your finish time, remember to enjoy all the weekend has to offer.

See you on the race track!

Mary