Race Report: Atlanta Half Marathon 11.27.08

My lack of posting is probably a great reflection of my workouts lately, huh? But I am back! I guess a month off, in the grand scheme of things, isn't much to worry about. I did go for a run last weekend, and although it was just 4 miles, it feel pretty good. So I went into the week of Thanksgiving thinking that I would probably run the Atlanta Half. I knew it wouldn't be for a PR, but it would be good to get out there and jumpstart things again.

I was scheduled to volunteer at packet pickup on Tuesday night, so I grabbed my stuff and perused the expo prior to handing out packets. I got a chance to meet Paul Kindzia of A Ticket to Kona fame. Paul and his wife are both incredibly warm and friendly and it was great to hang out for a little bit and chat. Paul, I would have loved to have talked more, but I was running late to my volunteer duties ;) Paul's wife Angela has a great framing business going and I can't wait to pick out a frame for my Florida Challenge bib, medal and picture! I wasn't going to frame it because my bib is so worn, but after talking to Paul, I realized that it will give the display so much more character.

So, night before the race we had a pretty low key evening. It seems like forever since I've been in a running race. There is so much less stuff to prepare! Went with running capris, ls dryfit shirt, and a short sleeve t layered over. I wore my tri club visor and some tossaway gloves from Target. I decided I'd run with my gel flask and a little Amphipod pouch for my cell phone and ID instead of the full fuel belt. I just wanted a low key day and sometimes that thing gets so annoying.

We hit the sack around 10ish and I laid in bed for awhile before I fell asleep. Alarm was off at 5 the next morning, and it didn't take too long to be up and ready. Had half of a PB&J sandwich and hubby dropped me off at Marta. I missed the train by a minute or two, so I hung out for another 20 minutes until the next one came. It was cram packed, so the ride to the start at Chamblee was pretty friendly. I dropped my bag at bag check, hit the potties and made it to the start with a few minutes to spare.

As I stood there in my corral, I thought about my previous year's races. I remember 2005, which was my second 13.1 ever after a practice run at the Alpharetta half. 2006 was a great improvement over the previous year's race. 2007 was a PR that I am extremely proud of. I knew that there would not be a PR for this race, and I wanted it to be a fun day. A day to remember why I get out there and do this. A day to celebrate how far I have come this year, in training for an Oly and then the Half. I was also really excited to be able to run with music! It's a nice luxury that you don't get in Tri!

It didn't take too long before the last wave of runners set off across the start line, and even though I had been nervous about how the race would go, I was excited to be racing.

So, my goal was to take it easy. If I've learned anything over the past few years, it's so start off slow so that I don't blow up halfway through my race. I tried to keep my HR in zone 3, but that was a sad little game of up and down the entire race. I was feeling good though and the goal was to see how far I could get down the course before my ITB started complaining.

I just tried to keep on trucking, stopping to walk aid stations when needed and a few of the hills (Ptree Battle, Cardiac, Hill after 85 to the High). I wanted to enjoy myself, but I think I was battling this internal drive to keep my average pace below 13. My leg held up pretty well until about mile 6ish, which surprised me. Lately it starts hurting after a mile or two. From Mile 6 on, I had to stop every so often and stretch things out.

When I hit Mile 9, I was ready to stop. My ITB, left knee and left hamstring were extremely unhappy. My goal was to just keep going - I knew I was almost there and there really wasn't any other option other than to finish ;). In fact, one of the things that really picked me up while I was running was this song from the Broadway show 'Wicked'. I added a few of my favorites to my playlist and 'Defying Gravity' came on. There are some words in this song that just speak to me so much about what I'm trying to do here.

I'm through accepting limits, 'Cuz someone says they're so! Some things I cannot change, but 'till I try, I'll never know!

It definitely kept me moving and it's something that will be on my mind as I plan for the upcoming 2009 season.

I saw Holly at Mile 11 or so and that perked me up a bit. She saw me stop to walk and ran to catch up to me. She stayed right there and ran with me all the way up Capital Punishment until the last turn. Thanks Holls :) After I left Holly and I could see the Olympic Rings, I picked it up and started passing a few people here and there as I hauled it to the finish line. I was v. happy to be done!

I headed straight to Medical and got myself all wrapped up with ice on my knee and hip. Man, that felt good.

So, yah. It is done. 2008 Season comes to a close. Final Time: 2:54:34. My second fastest Atlanta Half. I'm actually pleasantly surprised because it could have been reallyreallybad. I'm lucky that my body decided to hang in there with me.