Michelle Runs With It

This was my 4th time running the Baltimore Marathon, making it my 21st marathon. It was my first time pacing with the Baltimore Pacers and the best I felt for facing one of the toughest marathon courses.  For those unaware of how Baltimore's half and full marathon courses stack up to other courses across the country, it is challenging due to its rolling hills. With the start being at sea level outside of Camden Yards, you climb up to the Maryland Zoo at Druid Hill Park. Suitably named for being the highest peak in the city. As you continue on, you run back down to the Inner Harbor and out along Federal Hill (not up it, thank goodness) and back to Harbor East, Fells Point, Canton, and then up to Patterson Park - another peak. Then up to Johns Hopkins Campus and Lake Montebello with rolling hills the last 10k. You see A LOT of Baltimore and every neighborhood comes out to cheer in their own spirited ways - hilarious signs, candy, beer, bands, DJs, and lots of cowbell! The city become...