Thursday night will kick off the pre-race festivities for the Hartford Marathon weekend for me.  I have never run the Hartford Marathon before and am nervous about it because of the fact that I never ran it before.  I don’t know what the morning will be like getting into town and where to go, where to park, what to wear, what the course is like, etc.  I almost feel like I am running one of my first races.  And unlike a runDisney race, this is a “real race” where people take it very seriously.  I won’t be running in costume; but hope to be running in my new gear from my sponsor Mintz & Hoke.  When we ran the O’Hartford 5K in March there was an exciting energy in the air in the city.  I anticipate that with the Hartford marathon it is going to be even more energetic and exciting!

I’m hoping that by attending the Girls Night Out on Thursday night and hearing other talking about running, and seeing the setup for the race in the city,  my nerves will be settle a little bit.  Dimity McDowell from Another Mother Runner will be speaking at the Hartford Club. I can’t wait to see her!  I have met her at several races and she was cheering at the Philadelphia Marathon last year and I had the chance to take a photo with her and Denise Dollar when she was cheering on Sarah!  I will be picking up my bib at the Expo on Thursday night prior to the dinner so I will get to experience the way the Hartford Marathon Foundation puts on the event at the XL Center.

I am also hoping that by resting my leg for the week that my calf will settle down and I won’t have issues on Saturday.  I ran on Sunday and my plan is to stick to walking for the rest of the week.  As much as I want to go out for a run during this beautiful weather this week, I think it is best to just walk.

Have you run the Hartford marathon before?  Do you have advice for this race like where to park, what time to arrive, how is the course?  I’d love to hear from you and see you there Saturday!