Race Report - Atlanta Half Marathon

This was a great race. New corralling procedure at the race start was a little different but worked out fine. I haven't read any articles yet about the race so I don't know whether the organizers liked how it worked out or not. I was in the second start group this year just because my pre-registration got messed up and I had to register in person on Tuesday before the race during the race expo - all they had left were numbers in the second start group.

I went out hard at the beginning, in part for adrenaline, part for confidence, part for warmth and part for wanting to not tick off all the other starters in my group who belonged there! Probably I'd have gone faster overall if I'd started slower. I know how these things work - but I just had to do it anyway. I guess my confidence got the better of me? I can't remember feeling this confident about the distance in several years. I'll have to have a big serving of humble pie next year...

I had dressed right, which was a relief. The weather report said 34 degrees/feels like 27. Brr. And it predicted that halfway through my race it would feel like 29. Double Brr. I wore my race bra, my Atlanta Half technical long sleeve (they finally did away with the cotton long sleeve T-shirt - what a great move!) and my cycling windbreaker. Long running pants, and a fleece hat. I was worried it wouldn't be enough but it was just right. Oh, and the disposable mittens. Which I never dispose of. I have a few year's worth of these as souvenirs.

There were fewer people cheering along the way than usual. Probable due to the cold. I think they had over 11,000 runners but the fans stayed in bed. The large registration was in part due to the new sponsor, The Weather Channel. They gave money, but not sunshine!

I was averaging about 9 minute miles through mile 9 (which is GREAT for me). Then hit the wall. I had a chance to come in under two hours but just couldn't maintain my speed. My knee caps hurt, which usually isn't really a problem, which impacted my speed some. But I just didn't pace properly. And I found the "wall" everyone dreads. I was able to pick up the pace again around mile 11 but now was back to hoping for my original goal for an average 10-minute mile.

I still managed to be my time goal of 2:11 by one minute. So I'm proud. I ran 13.1 9:59 minute miles. I finished 149th out of 392 in my age group (female 45 - 49).

It was still chilly at the end of the race and the aluminum foil blanket they give you was very well appreciated. I made it home in plenty of time to get my turkey dressed and in the oven on time. And ate, ate, ate - as I well deserved - the rest of the weekend.

I'd said this would be my last half marathon - that I was going to focus on triathlons now since they are easier on the body - but I just don't know....It sure would be nice to finish in the top third of my age group next year!