The 6th Annual Capital City Half Marathon and Commit to Be Fit 5k is now just 15 days away.

You are receiving this email as you are already registered for the event or we thought this would be of interest for you and we want to see you at the party.

This year we are doing something totally revolutionary in the race business. We are having a 10 day Packet Pickup Party at Fleet Feet Sports at Polaris. Free parking, convenient hours and cool stuff. Here is the deal for Packet Pickup: Get you bib number online here. You must have your bib number for packet pickup. Once you have the number, bring it with you to Fleet Feet between the dates of April 22nd and May 1st.

Fleet Feet is offering great savings to all participants during packet pickup: 20% off anything in the store April 22nd through April 24th. Then 15% off from April 25th through April 28th. Then 10% through the close of Packet Pickup on May 1. It pays to get there early.

Packet Pickup (and in person registration if the event is not yet full) is open during all normal store hours. Mon-Thurs: 10am-8pm, Fri-Sat: 10am-6pm and Sun: 12pm-5pm.

Fleet Feet is located in the Polaris Area just North of Columbus at 1174 East Powell Road in Lewis Center, OH 43035. The phone number for more information is (614) 846-5625.

To get directions to the store you can map them here.

If you can not pick up your packet at Fleet Feet we will have a limited packet pickup at the LC Pavilion on Race morning from 5:30am to 7am.

This year we have a new start time. Due to the warmer weather everything is moving up an hour. The Mascot Chase will start at 7:30am, the Half Marathon at 8am and the Commit to Be Fit 5k at 8:15am.

In order to provide you with the ultimate experience we are limiting the half marathon field to 5,000 and the Commit to Be Fit 5k Field to 2,000. We are just about sold out, but if you know someone who is still interested they can Register Now!

Don't forget to add your photos and stories on the Capital City Half Marathon page on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @CapCityRun.

This year we have created the ultimate upgrade package. For the $40 upgrade fee you get a Mens or Ladies Brooks Podium Half Zip with the Official Event Logo plus a credential that gets you free parking at the event site and access to the VIP area with food, drinks and private restrooms. Just choose the VIP upgrade on the registration form.

Already registered, don't worry, you can upgrade here.....

The VIP package is limited to the first 250 upgrades and we now have just 20 left.

Join us for the Third Annual Cinco De Mayo Cuatro Miler at Tartan Fields Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio at 6pm on May 9, 2009.

The course will include running and walking on the cart paths of the front 9 holes of the private club. It is the ultimate four mile course. We have also joined forces with Patron Ultra Premium Tequila. Your entry fee will include 2 free Patron Palomas, technical t shirts, a chips and salsa celebration, chip timing and of course the now famous Cinco Finisher's Medal.

Registration is open and will be limited to the first 1,000 people. We are already at 600 registratoins. event has sold out in each of the last 2 years. Register Now.

We have joined forces with MIT, the official training program for the Capital City Half Marathon to bring you some last minute coaching tips.

So. We have passed the first test: we are running and being smart about our pace. It's only about mile 2 or 3 of the race and we are feeling good. We've let Skippy McFasty run past us because we know he'll be suffering later in the race. We've settled into a comfortable and conservative pace and we're really starting to enjoy this tour of Columbus.

But then, out of nowhere...there are a couple of tables of beverages and people yelling out at you and all these smashed cups on the ground. What's going on? Oh right. That's a fluid station. But wait, I'm not thirsty yet. Do I really need to drink something?

YES!!!

Rule #1: Drink something at every fluid station.

Once you start to feel thirsty, you are already dehydrated. To maintain optimal running conditions, you want to stay as hydrated as possible. This means drinking plenty of fluids. Once you get behind in your hydration, you cannot make up for it by drinking more. Google "cardiac drift" if you don't believe me.

Luckily, you've been drinking Gatorade or a combination of water and your choice of gel/cube/candy bar during your weekly MIT Long Runs. So this is nothing new.

Help Me Help You

Many fluid stations are crazy. Everyone's yelling; everything seems in disarray. How do you get what you want?

Rule #2: You get what you look and yell for.

As you approach the fluid station,in the Capital City Half Marathon, the people handing out fluids will be yelling out what they have. Yell back what you want. Soon you will find that special someone who has what you are looking for and is willing to share. Gatorade will always be first and Water will always be second on the Cap City Course.

Rule #3: Walk...but don't stop.

Whether you choose to walk or run slowly through the fluid station, be aware of the people around you. Once you have what you want, get out of the way, but make sure to look over your shoulder because there will be plenty of people around you.

Rule #4: Don't ruin someone else's race

One of the worst things you can do is be ambivalent about your cup of water when you are done. There are trash boxes, try to put your empty cups in the trash. The over 1000 volunteers are all working hard enough on race morning trying to create a remarkable experience for you, be respectful and find the trash box.

The Most Important Rule to Remember!!

Rule #5: DRINK SOMETHING AT EVERY FLUID STATION!!!!

Do you really need me to repeat it again?

"I distrust camels, and anyone else who can go a week without a drink." - Joe E. Lewis

New in 2009, The Capital City Half Marathon and Commit to Be Fit 5k will be using the new ChronoTrack disposable timing system. This is a disposable, lighter tag that you peel off of your bib and easily attach to your shoe to record your time. Tag time is the most accurate form of timing available. In addition, the new timing system will eliminate pre-race chip assignment, post-race chip return, and fees for lost or unreturned chips.

Want to see how it works? For instructions, check this out

Want to watch it in action? Check out this video.

Please email me your feedback, photos, suggestions and comments on how to improve the event experience for you as we prepare for 6th Annual Capital City Half Marathon and Commit to Be Fit 5k.

Get Fit. Stay Fit. Live Fit.
David