I didn't really know what to think about this race going into it. I knew it was going to be challenging, but when I compared it to my last half, I thought it might be easier than I initially thought. I'd done about 40% of my long runs on hill courses and the rest on flats. Started the race at a pace that I'd speed up if I had to go back and do it over. It was crowded and I was just kinda going with the flow. By mile 2 I was at around 10:30...that was too slow to hit my goal time of sub-2:00. So I sped it up and tried to bring my pace down to around a 9:20. I was able to hold this until mile 9 or so but as soon as we turned out of Piedmont Park, I walked for the first time. I was a little bummed about it, but happy I'd made it that far. Picked it back up again and had about a 9:22 avg. pace through mile 11-12. Initially, I'd planned to hold aroun9 9:10, then really bust out the last 2 miles to squeeze in right under 2 hours. But the finish kept getting closer and even though I tried to put in 100%, my pace kept creeping up like I wasn't moving. I was trying to speed up and my pace was at 9:25...I was frustrated. Really by this point, I knew I wasn't going to go sub-2:00 and I was just trying to get to the finish. Nothing really hurt, but my legs were pretty tired of hills. I really wanted to walk the last mile, but didn't. Finally made it to Centennial Park and through the weaving path(that was VERY ANNOYING) that led to the chute. I was a little more frustrated now b/c the path right before the finish was really crowded and it was all I could do to hold my pace. There was no sprinting to the finish, it was just too crowded.

Not totally sure. I know this was a tough course for me and I had a good time(for me). It was only about :30 off my PR from a month before this race. I think I'd train on more hills for sure and I'd like to have got to the start a little earlier. More focus going into the race could help too.

Looking for people while wrapped in a foil blankie. Drank a Recoverite...


Icky weather? Feeling unsure of what to expect from the course? Needed to train more on hills? Not working at the expo the day before...which was TOTALLY worth it.


Looking back at the race, I think it was a good race overall. I did't do the first ING last year, so I can't compare the 2. But there were plenty of aid stations, good crowd support...especially in some areas, and it was organized pretty well. I'm sure I'll end up doing it again.