When my running partner came back from this race in 2014, he right away said he wanted to go back and do it again the following year - and I needed to come with him! So, we signed up that same week to get the best price on our registration! (they opened registration for the week after the 2014 race to sign up early for 2015!)

Then we had to wait almost an entire year to actually make the trip!

Lodging: There are several hotels within walking distance to the start line! Just be sure to book early to get your choice hotel! We booked early and were able to get a room at the Marriott, which is right across the street from the Convention Center where packet pickup is located (there is actually a skywalk to get to the Convention Center so you don't have to worry about crossing a busy street!). the start line was a block over, on the opposite side of the hotel!

Expo/Packet-pickup: packet pickup on Friday afternoon was quick and easy! I think we both had our packets in a matter of minutes. It helped that we got there early, and most people were still at work. We then spent some time wandering through the expo, which was HUGE! I could have easily spend hours checking out all the fun stuff!

Race Day: Since we were staying so close to the start finish line, we were awake bright and early with all the music and festivitie... guess it was a good thing we were already awake and getting ready to run! We got dressed, grabbed so food (supply of banana's, almonds and other goodies we had in our room) and headed down to join the party!

This was definitely this largest race I have ever run! last I saw, this was listed as the 2nd largest half marathon in the country, but who knows, it might even be back on the top again! Once you get out from the immediate downtown area, the course majority of the course is through residential and industrial areas of town, and the course support is amazing! Between the various bands on the corners to people cheering from the sidewalks, there was virtually support everywhere!

Of course, the thing everyone looks forward to with this race is the lap that you get to take around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway! Keep in mind tho, there don't allow any food/gels to be consumed while you are on the speedway, so if you are going to need fueling during that stretch, you need to take care of it before you head in, or wait until after! There is one water station inside the speedway, just after you come off the front stretch. As you head up the front stretch, be sure to slow down and enjoy the moment and take a photo or two - I mean, how many times will you have the chance to be ON THE TRACK here at Indy? Many people were stopping to get photo's of themselves kissing the bricks etc, but since we took a Speedway Tour the day before, we just grabbed a few photos and kept going.

With this race being early in May, you never really know what kind of weather you are going to get. It was pleasant and cool when we started, but by the time we were approaching the last 3 miles of the race, it was starting to get warm. I was grateful for Matt, who kept me moving forward and pushing me to keep going. Part of me just wanted to be done, so I kept moving forward!

After crossing the finish line, getting out medals and bag of treats we headed to the part to meet up with the rest of our group. We didn't stick around the post race party too long as we needed to get showered and hit the road back north.

Over all, loved running the speedway and Indianapolis is a beautiful city to explore!