Georgia Marathon?

Was looking to beat last year's 3:30:45 and ended up with a 3:39.  Honestly, kinda of disappointed but I knew at mile 23 it was not going to happen and I kinda of fell apart from there.  It really is a tough a$$ course. 

I finished with a PR of 3:24:xx.

This is definitely a tough course.  Probably one of the tougher ones around.  Every year I try t figure out what is the smart way to race it, but I'm still searching.  You have to bank some time early, but there are a couple early hills that you can blow up on.  I'm starting to think the key is to bank some energy so you have just enough to get through the last 4 miles. Those last 4 wouldn't be very tough if they were earlier in the race, but after Druid Hills and the climb out of Piedmont park your legs are shot.  

I saw ghost walking around trying to get his watch to sync, but I couldn't get his attention.  He definitely was focused.  

I had a good day, but not a PR.   My Garmin measured 13.2.  Did anyone else get the same result?   I had good pacing and my average HR told me I paced it right.   The last three miles held me back from a PR in the 1/2 mary.   I hope to do it next year because I think I have enough experience now to running "right".  

Congrats to everyone.   It was perfect weather and a great race.

very nice.  I was thinking about my own less-than-optimal training and wondered how much stock to take in optimal training.

Funny how much quicker this was than our Thrill in the Hills adventure a few weeks ago.  I was 25 minutes faster and hurt less...LOL  Congrats on a great day!

You are a beast my friend.  The way I look at this course is if you still feel like you have it together after "The By Way"  you are set.  I knew it was coming but when I got to the top I thought to myself "uh oh," which I guess was around twenty or so.  The icing on the cake was coming out of the park at 12th street I had nothing left. 

I will likely skip this race next year but I will be back.

Note to perspective runners:  If you have the chance run from Decatur to the top of the hill on 12th street do it. In all honesty do it twice in one of your long run sessions.

7th time here for the full, 21st marathon and my 3rd in 2013. Sunday's race was not my best day but far from being my worst. I've kind of figured out when not to beat a dead horse and just go with the flow. There will always be other opportunities to have a good day and/or run a pr. 

I had some sort of stomach bug early in the week and then I started having sciatica pain about mid week and knew that it might be a problem race day. I struggled with this issue for 2 years and it has been dormant for over a year. I was feeling better by race day so  I went out hunting sub 3:30 (ran 3:28 last year) and by 12 my hip was hurting and the sciatic nerve was making it feel like my leg might give out at any point. I stopped at 14 to stretch out my hip but by 15 I was walking and decided to just avoid the hurt locker as much as possible and make the best of what was really a beautiful spring day to enjoy the streets of Atlanta. Finished with balloons tied to my shirt in 3:45. Ran with another runner who was also not having the best day. Honestly, it is was I love about the marathon. It can go so wrong against what you wanted for yourself but you can still have fun and memorable experience. That just doesn't happen in a shorter race.

I also love this race. Of any GA race I do, hands down, I get to see more familiar faces at this race than other--as runners, spectators or volunteers. The course is tough and I have never run a pr here but it is like a giant party for this native GA girl. Already signed up for next year.

PS congrats to my peeps the Brown dogs for their PR's!!