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ING Georgia Marathon - RunMarathon


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Atlanta, Georgia
United States
The ING Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon
42F / 6C
Overcast
Total Time = 3h 23m 35s
Overall Rank = 129/2132
Age Group = m35-39
Age Group Rank = 43/466
Pre-race routine:

Drove down to the race site, parked for free in a lot off Marietta and Andrew Young. Was the Ga dome green lot. Was perfect, and a great decision. I was literally 300 yards from the finish. Was also able to leave when I wanted without a problem.

Drank a boost 1 hour out. Put the rest of my gear together, and got ready to essentially freeze.
Event warmup:

Walked to gear check, did that without an issue, and then to the corral, again, without an issue. Met up with Joe Schum, Amy K. Andrew Dollar, and Chris Zimmer in Corral 2. Was about a 5 minute wait until the gun went off.
Run
  • 3h 23m 35s
  • 26.2 miles
  • 07m 46s  min/mile
Comments:

I had a good race. I went in expecting a 3:35 to 3:40.. but my legs recovered a bit better than I thought they would during taper. I went out at a fast, but manageable pace. Did the first 10k in 46:58. I felt this was a manageable pace, and held onto it. Hit the hill at Candler park @ mile 7.5, and powered up that without an issue. At that point, I knew I was capeable of more than I expected. The question was how much more, and could I sustain. The run UP ponce, was difficult and long, but then I hit the rollers on College Avenue. The water stop at Agnes Scott was outstanding. Best of the day by far. After that, I hit the half marathon point at 1:40:34. Ran through downtown Decatur, then off to Clairmont and N. Decatur road. This was the 'easiest' point of the course. Some flat, some down, some up, but a nice stretch that prepared you for the hell that was to come.

The run up lullwater, Ponce, then 'down' oakdale, and over to springdale and up that is the longest stretch of sustained hills on the course. I looked at my GPS.. this started at mile 16.32 of the course. From here on out, the course was difficult. There were downhills, but after a certain point, downhills become just as difficult as up hills. There were points where it felt really obscenely good to run 'up' a hill.

I hit mile 20 at 2:34:19. I quickly did the math and knew that BQ'ing was out. It wasn't in the plans, but I wanted to make sure I wasn't missing anything. I knew I was having a decent day. I drank my traditional beer just before entering Piedmont park.. the beer stop people told me I was the first Marathoner to drink a beer. Woo Hoo.. that was cool. After that, it was essentially a uphill fest almost entirely through to the finish. I dodged a lot of half marathon walkers.. and pretty much ran through groups of them. If there was an inch opening, I took it. Maybe I pissed them off, but not as much as they irritated me by walking 5 wide any place they felt like it..

Let me say that the last mile was not a mile. It was decidedly longer than a mile. It was a slight uphill to the end, and in the wind. As mental of a last mile, as I have ever run. Still, I managed to sustain my effort and finish strong. I had a great race.

I loved the zig zag finish. Thought it was very unique, and a very exciting.
What would you do differently?:

Have a chat with mother nature. The weather sucked. It was freexing.
Post race
Warm down:

Walked to gear check, got my clothes, changed, then back to the stands to watch friends finish. Got to see them all. It was a lot of fun.. albeit cold.

**Note: I had my first ice bath later on. Let me tell you, that was funtastic. The motto of the ice bath is 'dunk the junk'.. burrrrrr.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Course difficulty. This one is a monster.

Event comments:

Great race. If you want to challenge yourself, do the full. It's a benchmark of accomplishment. If you can do this Marathon, you can do 99% of the other ones out there.

Organization was excellent, Aid stations were top notch, and the course was well marked.

It was freeing cold outside, so spectators were not as abundant as last year, but I imagine that is a result of the weather more than anything else.

Highly recommended. Next years race is April 9th. A little later, probably a little warmer.




Last updated: 2007-12-13 12:00 AM
Running
03:23:35 | 26.2 miles | 07m 46s  min/mile
Age Group: 43/466
Overall: 129/2132
Performance: Good
Course: Hills. Most difficult Marathon course I have ever run, without a doubt. Essentially, the course was an east west loop of Atlanta and Decatur. Did I mention the hills?
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 4
Physical exertion [1-5] 5
Good race? Yes
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Average
Race evaluation [1-5] 4

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2008-03-31 9:34 AM

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Master
1404
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Atlanta, Ga
Subject: ING Georgia Marathon


2008-03-31 9:38 AM
in reply to: #1304464

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Master
1432
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Woodstock
Subject: RE: ING Georgia Marathon
Great race and great RR. Nice work on a really tough course- I thought the half was tough- Unbelievable time. Looks like you are right on the brink of a BQ.
2008-03-31 9:55 AM
in reply to: #1304464

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Master
2379
2000100100100252525
Alpharetta, GA
Subject: RE: ING Georgia Marathon
Great RR, Ron and awesome job out there!!  As already noted, BQ is in the cards - can't wait to read *that* race report!
2008-03-31 10:07 AM
in reply to: #1304464

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Master
2125
200010025
Subject: RE: ING Georgia Marathon

Great race.  Where does this rank in all your marathons as far as time goes?

"If there was an inch opening, I took it. Maybe I pissed them off, but not as much as they irritated me by walking 5 wide any place they felt like it.."

I have to agree with this. 

2008-03-31 11:15 AM
in reply to: #1304464

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Champion
5529
500050025
Nashville, TN
Subject: RE: ING Georgia Marathon
Great race Ron.  I love the comment on the ice bath.  My favorite part is the initial plunge into the water.  I make some wild noises....but I feel so much better afterwards!!!
2008-03-31 11:54 AM
in reply to: #1304464

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Master
2479
2000100100100100252525
Atlanta, Georgia
Gold member
Subject: RE: ING Georgia Marathon
Man, you are strong..That's fast by any standard but for that course? Forgetaboutit. Drink a beer during the race? Never occurred to me.

Congrats again.

c


2008-03-31 11:55 AM
in reply to: #1304464

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Veteran
255
1001002525
Atlanta, GA
Subject: RE: ING Georgia Marathon
Great race! Really, that was outstanding. You are such a strong runner and you keep surprising me with these great runs. I mean, I know you are fast but I wasn't expecting that Nice way to kick Teed.
2008-03-31 7:07 PM
in reply to: #1304464

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Expert
696
500100252525
Sugar Hill, GA
Subject: RE: ING Georgia Marathon
Holy Moly, what a great race.  Congrats on a great day.  I'm glad you thought that last mile was longer than marked, I thought it was just my head playing tricks on me.
2008-03-31 8:53 PM
in reply to: #1304464

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Subject: RE: ING Georgia Marathon
Great race! My PR goal for my 2nd marathon ... to finish only one hour after Teed finishes Really good job.
2008-04-01 10:04 AM
in reply to: #1304464

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Expert
882
500100100100252525
Marietta, GA
Subject: RE: ING Georgia Marathon

Awesome race, the marathon course sounds like a beast! The crazy thing about the weather on Sunday was it got colder during the day, instead of warmer - so I loved the weather during my run, but I don't think I would have loved it for the marathon. As usual, great race for you - congrats! Can't wait to read your BQ race report later this year!

2008-04-02 11:14 PM
in reply to: #1304464

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Veteran
124
100
Subject: RE: ING Georgia Marathon
Man I am really happy for you. What a great run. Exceeded last year's numbers on a very tough marathon track. You were certainly focused from the beginning. BQ in '10.


H.


2008-04-03 7:15 PM
in reply to: #1304464

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Member
39
25
Subject: RE: ING Georgia Marathon
great race ron!   impressive.  maybe next year i'll do the half (at least!)    way to keep a great attitude and strong run despite the cold.
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