ING Georgia Half-Marathon - RunHalf Marathon

I started off in Coral 3, so in retrospect I didn't have to fight through too many people for the first 3 miles. Still, I felt way slow for miles 1 and 2 since I kept being boxed in. I tried staying in the middle of the road as much as possible so I could run flat. Things calmed down a bit around mile 4. Around then I noticed that I was a bit tired, and my legs were already feeling fatigued. Not good at all. Then I realized I forgot to take a gel before the race began. I quickly downed a Gu and another one about 20 minutes alter and I was fine, but I feel like the damage was already done. I was tired and generally not into it. I had pacing goals set for myself, which I kept alright for the most part. Miles 1-4 at 7:45, 5-8 at 7:30 and 8-13 at 7:20. Once I got to the 7:20 pace, the wheels fell off (naturally) and I just could not hold my pace. Legs felt very tired by the end, so I know I worked for it, and crossed the line at 1:44.

At the end of the race, I didnt feel anything. I got my medal, blanket, food and hopped back on Marta home. This was not an accomplishment for me today, mainly because I had a goal time of 1:40. I had no reason to hang around the park, so I just went on home. Thinking about it now, I am proud of my performance on a difficult course, but I am aware of the difficult task ahead. IMKY is around the corner, and if a 13 mile run is hard, think about how bad a 26 mile one will be after all that biking. Eiher way, I have time to prepare.

- Nutrition was off: eat a gel before the race
- Work of pacing, it was hard to tell how fast I was going at times
- More long runs, 8 miles and up
- No hard bike the day before
- Stay focused on goals, hit them no matter what, and stay on pacing targets

4th year of the ING GA, Ive done 3 of them. Good course, challenging, good people helping as well. VERY organized this year.