General Discussion Race Reports! » ING Georgia Half-Marathon Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply

ING Georgia Half-Marathon - RunHalf Marathon


View Member's Race Log View other race reports
Atlanta, Georgia
United States
The ING Georgia Marathon & Half Marathon
44F / 7C
Overcast
Total Time = 1h 36m 8s
Overall Rank = 281/9539
Age Group = 30-35 M
Age Group Rank = 242/4138
Pre-race routine:

Stayed at the Onmi right next to the start line (sweet!) got up, put the game face on, had 2 fig newtons, a few orange slices, and some coffee. Went down and found Kirk, Heather, Doug, and GW. Bs ed a bit and lined up at the corral and had a gu
Event warmup:

snaked my way toward corral 1 where I was scheduled to start, ended up more in corral 2, which was no problem. Waited and focused
Run
  • 1h 36m 8s
  • 13.1 miles
  • 07m 20s  min/mile
Comments:

This race was my first "A" race of the season. I was focused and ready to give my best, no matter the outcome and be happy with it. I had a good playlist set and a plan go go 100% the whole time and let my body dictate the pace. As the gun went off I took off like a frickin missile. Maybe pacing would have been wise here as I had a 6:19 mile 1 split. The hills started dictating the pace from there and I settled into some low sevens feeling strong to the 5k point where I was averaging just under 7/mile. I promised myself this race I would stay positive and reassure myself when the pain began, and it began around mile 4. did a gel and some water around mile 5. Somewhere around little 5 points (mile 7ish)Kraig caught me and passed me. I realized that I needed to keep him in sight as my pace began to slip and I made the excuse "I went out too hard" then I though to myself "BULLSH*T" that was my plan! Just then I managed to pass Kraig and get some alone time again (I prefer to be the one getting chased, even though I knew he was on my heels!).
I had then realized I was over 8 miles into this thing and I was gonna PR no matter what- then I got King Leonidis from "300" in my head and kept repeating to myself "Leave Nothing, but take EVERYTHING"- Thats how I was going to finish this race. I stayed focused and attacked the hills, recovered slightly on the downhills and kicked out my stride on the flats. Pain had left the equation and now it was a rumble in the jungle with Kraig as we knew we would push each other into big time PR land. we ran together through Piedmont Park and I took my last gel and water, then I just tried to stay on his heels from there. I was really focused on my own race, but by pushing each other to perform a little harder, it probably made a 2-3 minute time benefit. the hills and wind made the last 3 miles very difficult, but it was expected and time to dig deep. the last 1/2 mile I pushed it to the finish line with all I had left. I was cooked,but managed to raise my hands up and smile to the camera at the end.
What would you do differently?:

Nothing. I had brought myself to the point of puking several times and my lungs hurt so bad when I finished I thought I could taste blood. Physically, mentally 100%. It was a rare day
Post race
Warm down:

ran into Brett, who finished 10 minutes before us (crazy!) and got a mylar blanket and some water. I coughed alot because my lungs hurt so much. Went to the room and had a shower and a big Fosters beer. Went to cheer in the other runners and then rode the bike to find Jamie on the Marathon course

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Nada. Losing 15 pounds makes a huge difference, and that always used to be limiter for me. It was nice to have a rabbit out there too.

Event comments:

I have done this race all 3 years and it gets better every time. they have this thing down




Last updated: 2008-12-18 12:00 AM
Running
01:36:08 | 13.1 miles | 07m 20s  min/mile
Age Group: 242/4138
Overall: 281/9539
Performance: Good
Course: somewhat hilly urban tour of Atlanta Neighborhoods. Great way to see Atlanta
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 5
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] 5

{postbutton}
2009-03-30 8:56 PM

User image

Master
1432
100010010010010025
Woodstock
Subject: ING Georgia Half-Marathon


2009-03-31 6:25 AM
in reply to: #2049905

User image

Veteran
225
10010025
Decatur GA
Subject: RE: ING Georgia Half-Marathon
Wow..great race for you...sounds like you were all in!
2009-03-31 6:29 AM
in reply to: #2049905

User image

Master
2125
200010025
Subject: RE: ING Georgia Half-Marathon
Awesome time and race.  You definitly have the whole focus thing down.  
2009-03-31 8:34 AM
in reply to: #2049905

User image

Expert
696
500100252525
Sugar Hill, GA
Subject: RE: ING Georgia Half-Marathon
That's a great race.  Sounds like you had fun attacking the course.  You are going to have a killer season.
2009-03-31 10:37 AM
in reply to: #2049905

User image

Regular
53
2525
Subject: RE: ING Georgia Half-Marathon

Awesome time as I have said before!  You describe it well because I can feel the pain and joy all at once as I read the RR.  Nice job telling yourself that the pain will eventually subside, but the time will stand...until you beat it again, of course.

2009-03-31 11:20 AM
in reply to: #2049905

User image

Master
1404
1000100100100100
Atlanta, Ga
Subject: RE: ING Georgia Half-Marathon
Great race. That's the knind of race report I like to read.. especially when the doubts start creeping in, cause they do, but you had the absolutely right attitude. You are definitely a runner!


"my lungs hurt so bad when I finished I thought I could taste blood."

That makes me want to go out and race all over again. Good stuff.


2009-03-31 12:49 PM
in reply to: #2049905

User image

Elite
3658
200010005001002525
Roswell, GA
Subject: RE: ING Georgia Half-Marathon
Great race.  You had to be focused to climb out of piedmont park like that. 
2009-03-31 3:25 PM
in reply to: #2051367

User image

Veteran
119
100
Subject: RE: ING Georgia Half-Marathon
Way to leave it all out there!
2009-03-31 4:09 PM
in reply to: #2049905

User image

Veteran
283
100100252525
Subject: RE: ING Georgia Half-Marathon
Great job! It was tough, but fun!
2009-04-01 8:01 AM
in reply to: #2049905

User image

Master
2638
200050010025
Subject: RE: ING Georgia Half-Marathon

Awesome race!  You are getting faster every race!

 Way to push through the pain in the early miles.  And the lungs/blood thing, priceless.

2009-04-01 2:08 PM
in reply to: #2049905

User image

Veteran
212
100100
Roswell, GA
Subject: RE: ING Georgia Half-Marathon
You had a GREAT race like i knew you could!!!! You are fast and fit and i am so impressed! Just think a few years ago we were both smokers and overweight! ha my how times change.


2009-04-01 5:14 PM
in reply to: #2049905

User image

Extreme Veteran
549
50025
Marietta, GA
Subject: RE: ING Georgia Half-Marathon
Incredible race, dude!

Way to nail that first "A" race of the year.

BTW, "300" is a great movie to get some motivational spirit from. I use it quite often.


2009-04-02 9:03 AM
in reply to: #2049905

User image

Expert
931
50010010010010025
Smyrna, GA
Subject: RE: ING Georgia Half-Marathon
Awesome race, Greg!!  What a day for the Corn family!!!
General Discussion-> Race Reports!
{postbutton}
General Discussion Race Reports! » ING Georgia Half-Marathon Rss Feed