ING Georgia Marathon - RunMarathon

I was really excited about this race coming into it. It was much hotter than I had hoped and who knew that Atlanta was so damn hilly. My goal was 3:30, and I had planned on running the first half in 1:43 in order to have a couple of minutes to burn in the later stages. I started off great, by mile 8 I was right on track. About mile 10 the 3:30 pace group passed me and I checked my watch and they were 3 minutes ahead of pace. I stayed with them for about 3 miles and they were splitting at 7:50-7:55 miles. I thought that was too fast so I let them go.

I was feeling good til mile 17 when the heat and hills started to hit. At 18 I had lost my 2 minute cushion, but was doing OK. At mile 19, I am watching this guy in front of me wobble and weave down the street. As I come up on him he literally collapses, and another runner and me catch his as he goes down. I stayed with him for about 4 minutes until EMS crews arrive. I felt like I did the right thing by staying with him. He was awake and talking by the time the ambulance arrived.
Within aa half mile of starting backl running, though I began to cramp up. I don;t know if it was stopping and tightening up or just the heat and not enough fluids, but the last 7 miles was a real struggle. Every small incline or any aggressive push off the balls of my feet and my calves would start cramping. It was a last few miles of alternately shuffling and walking and cursing, but I made it.

Drink more fluids, especially Powerade with the heat being as it was

walked around the finish area and ate some snacks, Found Nancy and the girls and went to McDonalds for the celebratory QuarteraPounder meal with large fries.


Hills, heat, not enough fluids


I was disappointed in the fact that there was minimal Powerade on the course over the last 10 miles or so. There was plenty of water, but no powerade or food. As many big runs as ING puts on, I thought that this would not have been a problem. Otherwise, the race was great. Fantastic expo, good location, tough but reasonable course, lots of volunteers. I can cross Georgia off the list now. If you ever visit Atlanta, be sure and go to the Aquarium. I don't know who liked it more, me or my 5 year old.