ING Georgia Marathon - RunMarathon

My goal was somewhere below 4:15 with the possibility of a sub 4 if I was feeling good. My concern was the heat since all my training runs were in the mid 20's through 30's. But I had done a recon and the course appeared to have enough water/powerade stops. Planned to drink a little bit at every stop and alternate. Then later pour water over my head to cool down.

Miles 1 - 6
I thought I was going to fast, but I had made this same mistake on a previous short race (KEY WORD "short"). So I just listened to my body and kept on going. I hit the 10K split at 57:34, 5 minutes ahead of schedule. I was already worried about the water/PowerAde stops. Mile 2 was W/P stop but they only had three tables and none on the left side and no Powerade. Mile 4 was missing the W/P stop.

Miles 6 - 13.1
I hit the half way point at 2:04, right on schedule and I was feeling pretty good but still worried about the lack of PowerAde and the water was warm and the day was getting hotter. The next W/P stop was just short of mile 7 so I did my GU without water and later chased it down. Somewhere around mile 7 or 8, I met up with JOE and we discussed our frustration about the lack of liquids on the course. We did this several times. Somewhere around mile 10 or 11, I found a lone standing Porta John and took a quick leak...OHHH what a relief. At the half, I made another check of myself. I would hold this last pace for the next six miles and then turn on the after burners. I was feeling good but still worried about the lack of PowerAde. I did get some PowerAde in this portion of the race but it was self dunk and watered down.

Miles 13.1 - 20
Mile 15, I felt myself slowing down a bit so I thought okay I'll just pick up the pace in a little bit. The course was getting more challenging in the hill department. At mile 16, I felt my right calf start to twinge with a cramp feeling. Then my heart rate shot up and I started to worry about the rest. I had just entered the single digits, this couldn't be happening to me. It took me 14 minutes to complete mile 17 and I was worried since my left calf was feeling funny also. I wasn't going to allow dehydration to ruin this race. I started looking for a medical tent for some salt but no luck. At mile 18, I entered Freedom Parkway and I knew it would be tough. I had run this section before on the trail and it was tough on semi fresh legs. I was praying for a medical tent or Powerade but no luck on this section either. Thanks to the people with hoses spraying us down during this section. After the Water stop at Mile 14, it was drink one, one over the back, and one over the front the rest of the way.

Miles 20 - 26.2
I must say Freedom Parkway, FREAKING AND MOTHER-FUDGING sucked. At his stage of the game, I was re-thinking my plan. Try to beat you Chicago time and maybe 4:30. I tried another surge around mile 21 and the cramping feelings returned, so I slowed it down in order to not cramp. I took bottled water and ice from strangers on the course. I even took some Powerade from Team in Training. The run through Piedmont Park was so short but I knew what was ahead. The climb to Piedmont and of course the final 2 miles up hill to finish line. As I turned onto Peachtree, I tried again to pick-up the pace to try and make it a 4:45 since everything else was out the window. Tears rolled down my face, when I heard someone say "Oh no he's cramping up with so little to go". I wan't going to make it for sure but 5+ was out of my league that wasn't happening. I had to bear down and gut it out, at mile 24, I saw my first course supporter and little angel (BIG H). She cheered me on for what seemed like half a mile but it was all worth it. THANKS HEATHER - 143
This section of the race had been run by legs before, but not in this condition. I don't think, I looked at my watch after leaving H but I just kept moving. At Mile 26, I saw Jeanne and Corona and this was another pick me up section. I just didn't have anything left in the legs so I settled for a jog down the last .2 mile to the finish. I also made sure that I was ready for the picture and nobody was in the way. I got my medal, dumped 3 little bottles of water over my head, and then drank one. Might I say they were FREAKING warm, and who drinks warm sprite or coke after running a marathon...How about a COLD BEER?




I will probably carry my fuel belt next year but hopefully the water stops will be manned better. I was probably undertrained since, I missed a few long runs. I didn't taper down correctly. The last week I did nothing, probably not good. I will run this again and the goal will be to sub 4 next year.

Chip removed, 2 bagels and 1 apple, and another hot water to chase. NOTE: The apple was cold. Got my bag at the UPS trucks and gave my feet a rest with the Crocs. I then found RT and A near the finish line. I later visited with Jeanne at Mile 26 and waited for Anica to finish.


I think my plan was good, but I might've gone out to fast the first 6 miles. Lack of fluids on the course and maybe undertrained although I felt I was ready for this beast. I did have to struggle a couple of times with the stop demon but I won that battle.


When I compare this race to Chicago and New York, it's below average. I was worried about the water stops and they did a fucking horrible job. They even mentioned the Powerade stops at the start line. Where were they? The course was great with amazing neighborhoods, good specators, and the Expo was kinda small but so was the overall number. I think this will be a good race after they work out the kinks. I will conquer this course again next year.