I couldn't wait to start running because I was so cold. I kept telling myself that my high sweat rate would warm me up soon enough, but I kind of wished I had more layers on at the beginning. The first few miles were net downhill and super fun. Lots of people and some good tunes in my ear buds. I did warm up after the first couple of miles.

The hills began and like I've done in the past, made a big effort to run at least halfway up before walking. Some of the shorter ones I ran all the way up and felt really good about that. My bluetooth ear buds died very early in mile 3 (I've already ordered some better quality ones!) so that was disappointing, but I actually enjoyed the quiet after that.

My left IT band was talking to me early and through most of the race. I thought it might turn into an issue, but it was just a bit of an annoyance and not full blown.

Aid stations were serving Nuun instead of Gatorade, so that was different. I didn't hate it like some of the alternative sports drinks out there, but I was hoping for a bit of real sugar. In the last couple of aid stations, I got my sugar! They were handing out marshmallows and candy hearts - and the marshmallows hit the spot. I gotta remember that for races - do they melt?!

When I hit the last mile, something very random popped into my head. I remembered years ago when I trained with a group for the Prairie Fire Marathon, the girls I ran with would always use the last mile as a "mile of gratitude." And we would go around the group and say what we were grateful for that week. So for this last mile, I prayed, I thanked the universe and I had my own "mile of gratitude," something that I'd forgotten about from so many years ago.

Crossed the finish line feeling really great and ready for my hot chocolate.


Nothing.

Bee-lined to the finishers mug area, where I got the package that the whole race sells itself on. A super cute carrying bowl that had a cup of hot chocolate, warm chocolate fondue with marshmallows, prezels, banana and a gluten free Honey Stinger waffle. I took it to the empty ATC tent and enjoyed it so much.

Then I got cold - really, really cold. Went to gear check to get my dry sweatshirt and mapped myself to the nearest MARTA station and walked about half a mile there, getting colder and colder. What I should have done was go to one of the other 2 stations that were a tiny bit further away so I wouldn't have had to transfer lines. Because I had to wait 20 minutes for the first train, go one station, then wait another 20 minutes to transfer. I was a freaking ice cube.

I finally made it home at 11:30 a.m., took a hot bath (that still didn't warm me up), cranked the furnace in my house, put on all the sweats and curled up with Ellie Mae under an electric blanket. Finally warm.



This is a super fun race that delivers on the hot chocolate at the finish line! Very organized and lots of people - I loved it!