ING Ga Countdown

I'm running the full as part of my IM training so no tapper, although I probably won't run a couple day's before the race (will still have to get my bike and swim workouts in though).  I haven't run a full since becoming a triathlete, aside from the marathon's in the 3 IM's I've done, but that's not the same thing.  So this is an opportunity to see if I can beat my PR from like 5 years ago.  My run mileage is up to 60-68 mpw on 4 run's so I think I have the mileage to do well.

I've run 5 or 6 20+ milers thus far and have at least one per week (2 per week for the next 2 weeks) in the schedule.

Hoping for sub 3:15 with sub 3:10 for stretch.  The hills have me WORRIED!!!!!

Looking forward to it!

Best of Luck to All!

It sounds like you are running the risk of under training.

I'm going to try and get two 20+ mile runs in before the race. 

I mapped the half marathon course out on mapmyrun - click here .

If you click on the top right corner for "Show Elevation" it will give you the profile. 

Training for the half so far has been good.  About 95% after struggling with tendinitis in my posterior tibialis since September.  I definitely think I'm where I need to be - did 11.3 this past weekend and we've been doing our long runs on some ridiculously hilly courses to make sure we're ready.  This weekend I'm doing 13, 14 next weekend, then back down to 8 the next, and 6 the week before.

Goals - well, I'd like to PR, which would mean faster than 1:55.  I ran that at the Silver Comet half in October but I'm not sure if it's realistic to try to PR on a much hillier course.  This is only my 3rd half marathon so I'm still learning as I go.  I'd be happy with anything under 2 hours and extatic if I break 1:55. 

Here is a cool spreadsheet Natalie posted last year for the marathon:

http://www.box.net/shared/4zzikb3dy1

Click the tab for pacing and it'll break down your per mile splits based on the difficulty of the course for that mile.

I think I am in the for the full again this year. I ran it 07 and 08.

My training isn't exactly how I would like it since I was sick for a week with bronchitis after my Jan 17th marathon and then just as I was getting my mileage back up and my training going I caught a cold that kept me out for 4 days.

However, I have run 2 very solid 21 milers since my Jan marathon and a 16 miler.My 21 mile long run on Friday was at a 8:14 pace which was faster paced than I ran the marathon last year so that leads me to believe it isn't a lost cause. I also have run 3 12 mile runs at or under marathon goal pace. All ggood signs in my mind.

 My plan is (roughly since I don't really follow a plan but this is about what I did between my Nov and Jan marathons):

2/27: 24 mile run--60 miles total for the week

3/6: 21 mile run--55 miles total for the week

3/11: 16 mile run

3/14 10 k race--40 miles total for the week

3/19 12 miles at marathon pace.--30 miles total for the week

Then shorter easy runs with strides here and there until race. Probably 25 miles for the week leading up to the race.

Goal??? I don't know. I just don't want to run for 4 hours.

I feel pretty good about sub 3:40 or a course PR 3:36.  Less likely seems an overall PR-- which would be 3:27. Don't think I can hold the sub 8's on that course for 26 miles. Betting I could do it for 20 miles which may be the plan and then just see where that gets me. G0t me 3:28 in Jan so we'll see. Who wants to run a negative split marathon? Where's the fun if you don't run yourself straight into the wall at mile 22 and then death march to the finish.

I'm doing the 1/2.  First 1/2 since back surgery 3 years ago.  Over the moon time would be 2 hours but I'd be happy with 2:05.

Longest run was 15 miles last weekend.

The parts I remember being tough were:

1. After the 1/2 marathoners turn off we ran around a park and then started up a long hill.  I had studied the the elevation maps and didn't expect this hill.  It was maybe 8-9 miles in and I remember seeing a lot of runners become walkers at this point.

2. Druid Hills.  It's constant rollers.  I felt fine, but I think they wore me down.

3.  The last few miles are through some boring scenery and slightly uphill.  After climbing up from Piedmont park this slight hill was tougher than it should've been.

It sounds like you are doing your research and you'll do great.

That hill that Doug talks about at 8 miles is the worst. I think it lasts until mile 10. Both years that part was hard.

I have lived in and around Atlanta my entire life and run both marathons and NEVER have any idea where I am during the race or really remember the year before.

I do like the part in Druid hills--that is part with the big houses right and rolling hills? 16-20 miles maybe? 

Worst for me last year was meeting up with halfers "running" a 3:30 half and trying to get around them. Then in the final mile they released a bunch of kids that walked and blocked the entire course. It was so hard to run up a hill AND navigate around people. I did end up shoving one girl out of my way when she stopped to walk about 100 yds from the finishline.  I hope they have done something to make that part better for the marathoners. There is a big difference between a 8 min mile and a 13 minute mile.

"NatNegativeSplit - 2009-02-25 4:08 PM I have lived in and around Atlanta my entire life and run both marathons and NEVER have any idea where I am during the race or really remember the year before."

I'm the same way.  The course helps me understand where all the different neighborhoods are.

"I do like the part in Druid hills--that is part with the big houses right and rolling hills? 16-20 miles maybe? "

Yep.  I liked the section too, but it drained me.  It was in the 16-20 mile section.

"Worst for me last year was meeting up with halfers "running" a 3:30 half and trying to get around them. Then in the final mile they released a bunch of kids that walked and blocked the entire course. It was so hard to run up a hill AND navigate around people. I did end up shoving one girl out of my way when she stopped to walk about 100 yds from the finishline.  I hope they have done something to make that part better for the marathoners. There is a big difference between a 8 min mile and a 13 minute mile."

LOL.  I remember 5 ladies walking shoulder to shoulder blocking half the road.  One of them brought her big purse with her.  I didn't think I could get around them so I busted right through the middle.  They seemed a bit perturbed.

I am running the full, my first. My longest run is 18 miles, doing 17 this weekend and then 20-22 the next.

I fell ok, but i have periformus issues. i am seeing my chiro 1x week to get me through to the race.

I dont feel like i am doing well on midweek runs though. the most i have been able to do midweek is 10-12 miles, and that is a stretch. So i dont feel like i am training enough, but i am doing cross training to help with HR and endurance training.

Ireally only have a goal of finishing without crawling across the line and being able to wlk the next day.