That’s right, folks…it’s almost the Fourth of July, which means the annual running of the Atlanta Track Club’s Peachtree Road Race. I just realized this morning that there are only 13 days until July 4, which means that I need to lace up my Brooks and actually start running. I have promised myself that I will not wimp out this year, and I will join 54,999 other folks to brave MARTA at 6 a.m., smile for the photographers at the start line, and snag my coveted t-shirt in Piedmont Park.

I haven’t run the Peachtree in a few years. The last time I actually trained for the race, I fell ill with a horrible case of viral meningitis and spent July 4 in bed, knocked out by Vicodin, and so sick I couldn’t even muster the strength or focus to sell my number on eBay. I’m one of those people who faithfully buys the early edition of the Sunday paper the weekend the Peachtree app comes out — and then treks to the 24-hour post office to ensure my entry is one of the first several thousand to hit the mailbox.

My favorite part of July 4, however, is without a doubt the fireworks. The past two years I’ve spent the evening of the Fourth behind One Buckhead Loop, where you can get a pretty good view of the show at Lenox without having to stake out a spot on the hot asphalt of the mall parking lot hours in advance. I’ve also been impressed with past shows at Centennial Olympic Park, and there are several other displays around town that I’m sure are worth checking out. While nothing quite compares to watching the shows up close — with their deafening booms and ashes that flutter down like summertime snowflakes — I have grown less and less tolerant of the ordeal that is required to enjoy a front-row seat.

Are there any other premium fireworks-viewing spots I should know about? The best tip gets my undying gratitude.