ING Georgia Half-Marathon - RunHalf Marathon

Took a little over 6 minutes to cross the start timing mat. This was my first 1/2 mary and I was in awe of the sea of people. It was difficult finding a good pace for the first 2 miles. Saw a girl in front of me take a nose dive after hitting a "road pimple" and managed to side step just in time. Matt caught up with me around mile 4 and ran with him until about mile 6 then I was left eating his dust. I was keeping an eye on my HR thinking I should be between 148-155 and no higher than 168. But after some of those hills it was between 171-177 and I started to panic a little. I realized I wasn't hitting LT so stuck with it the rest of the race. Again, being my first 1/2 mary I wanted to take it all in and enjoy the route. Which I did around mile 8 with a free PBR shot. Actually, more of a taste than a shot. You know, a little motivation to hurry up and finish. I was surprised at the number of spectators and number of bandit stations set up. Running through the neighborhoods was nice. Slowed down coming out of Piedmont Park. From here the rest of the race seemed all up hill. Crossed the finish line, got my medal. Hung around a little, grabbed some food and water then went back to the tent....which was up finally. Talked to Tony and met some other triathletes (Peachtree Tri Club).

Do more hill work.

Did some stretching and got a massage.


Lack of hill work. Probably should do some more speed work too.


I delayed posting my report because my results weren't posted at the ING site. According to the ING site I did not start and DNF'd but have a 10k split. Fortunately, I signed up for the "Runner Tracking" feature and had results emailed and text to my phone. I emailed the race director and attached the results email but no response so far. I still don't understand how they can email/text my results, but show me as DNF on the site. I know I stepped on all the timing mats, even during the mini out-and-back on 14th.

Despite the logistics being bad, I did have fun. But it will be a very disappointing first 1/2 mary if my time is not "official."

The only thing that would have made this funner would have been meeting more BT-ers. But GCT is around the corner along with the rest of the season.