ING Georgia Half-Marathon - RunHalf Marathon

I got off to a good start, focussed on maintaining a slow and steady pace right from the start banner. I usually go out too fast almost every race, caught up in the excitement of the crowd. I held back to my pace this time and was steadily passed by hundreds, if not thousands of people in the first few miles. It was a little bit chilly at the start with a good wind, I managed to find the tallest guy on the course, at least 6' 9", and drafted off him for the first couple miles to escape the wind. I got into a good rhythm and at about mile 5 came upon the 4:30 pace team and held with them right to the full/half split. I hoped to finish the half in 2:15 minutes so was right on pace for my guesstimated finish time. I felt really good at around mile 9 and started to pick up the pace. By mile 11 my calfs started to tighten up and the uphill grade started to get to me as well. I definitely wanted to stop, but slowed my pace to around a 12 minute mile and kept on plugging. I smiled for the photo stand and the finish had to be near. Trying to pick up the pace in the last mile, there was nothing left to give. Weaving my way through Centennial Park and sprinting the last 20 yards into the finish. It was a tight finishing area and I nearly ran into a cameraman!
I finished my first Half Marathon!

More long runs ahead of time to build up confidence and determine a good pace for that distance. I was having alot of calf pain training, so I took a week off several times ahead of the race to see if it would subside.

Talked to fellow members of North Atlanta Multisport who had finished well ahead of me. Started to chill down and tighten up from standing around.
Did some light hamstring and calf stretching about 20 minutes after I completed the race. My calfs were so tight I could barely walk. I almost hailed a cab for the ride back to the lot where my car was parked, but managed to hobble back. Thinking I may need a wheelchair after, if I ever decide to do a full!


General Calf tightness for the entire race, getting pretty intense the last couple miles.


It was a little windier and cloudier than hoped. I should be glad I couldn't overheat. Overall it was a good course. I was surprised at the number of people I was running with the whole time. I did not have to do much weaving, but had to slow a number of times due to the large crowd. Not nearly as many annoying run/walk/run/walk runners as you have in the Peachtree, who stop directly in front of you with no warning.