Recap: 2012 Orc Stomp Fun Run 5k

I can't imagine a better way to start Gen Con than with some fresh air and a run around a pretty state park.  Wait.  Yes I can!  Fresh air, a run around a pretty state park, and ORCS!  Thats right, a band of orcs came by for the race!

Alek and me with the friendly band of orcs

If you're thinking of attending Gen Con and want a fun run, this is your event.  The race organizer and all of the runners were incredibly nice (as I've found with everyone I've encountered here so far).  For the ridiculously low $10 entry fee, you get a shirt, some snacks, water, and even a finisher medal.  The only complaint I have has nothing to do with the event.  The morning air in Indianapolis happens to smell like oil.  I'm not sure why it does, but it makes running mildly unpleasant.

We'll definitely join this fun run on future Gen Con trips!

Orc Stomp Fun Run 5k Playlist

Greetings from Indianapolis! Today is the start of GenCon 2012.  That means tomorrow I'll be running the Orc Stomp Fun Run 5k! (I had to build at least one run into the long weekend).  Since its an orc stomp, I went for a hell/death themed playlist.  Without further ado, my playlist:

Bat Out Of Hell    Meat Loaf

Hell   Foo Fighters

This Devil's Workday    Modest Mouse

Thank You For The Venom My Chemical Romance

Love Me Dead     Ludo

Crawling Linkin Park

Satin In A Coffin Modest Mouse

Plague (We need no Victims) Lola Ray

Race-cation Planning: Destination Columbus & Indianapolis

Anyone who follows my blog will know that Alek and I have taken quite a few race-cations.  So far, these have all been a result of me finding a race I wanted to run and us planning a trip around it.  For our next trip we've taken a different approach.

Alek mentioned a few months ago that he'd like to go to Indianapolis for GenCon in August.  He asked me if there were any half marathons nearby during the previous or following weekend.  After some searching, I found the Ultrafit Columbus Half Marathon in Columbus, Ohio.  This half marathon takes place the weekend before GenCon and looks to be a fairly small race.  We decided to stay in Columbus from Saturday through Tuesday and then drive over to Indianapolis where we'll spend the rest of our vacation.

While looking for things to do during our 4 day stint in Columbus I found the Columbus Zoo, which even allows you to stay onsite in a yurt.  We decided to stay there for our last night.

GenCon runs from Wednesday until Sunday, so we'll have some time Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning to explore Indianapolis.  I've been told that the Indiana State Fair is worth a visit.

Alek and I also registered for the Orc Stomp 5k Fun Run, one of the GenCon events.  This run will be very small, as it is limited to 30 people.  I was excited to build another run into what will be a very busy week.  It is often difficult for me to get runs in when there is so much new and interesting stuff to do on vacation.

What recommendations do you have for things to do in Columbus or Indianapolis?  Can you suggest running routes for non-race runs in either city?