Race Report: ING Georgia Half-Marathon

Last year, I attended the inaugural run of the ING Georgia marathon. I stood on the sidelines to cheer on a friend of mine as she ran the race. I was so proud to see her out there completing such a feat. However, I had no desire whatsoever to join in the “fun.” Fast forward one year later and here I am at the starting line of the same race (sadly my friend has been sidelined from running by tendinitis). Amazing how things change!

Since this was my second half-marathon, I didn’t feel any of nervousness that I felt during the Thanksgiving Half. In fact, I was really excited about this race. It was shaping up to be the biggest race that I’ve ever run with a field of 15,000 participants. The pre-race expo alone was huge with vendors filling up the entire Georgia Dome.

I had a goal this time of finishing the race in less than 2 hours. According the prediction charts based on my last 10K, I should have been able to complete the half in 1:53:34. I was not familiar with the course route and that unavoidable hills, so I completely discounted this number. It was supposed to be chilly and rainy, so I completely discounted this number. I couldn’t possibly maintain an 8:39 min/mile pace for 13.1 miles (plus a bathroom break!), so I completely discounted this number. I went ahead and printed out my splits based on a 1:57:00 finish time.

Race day dawns and it is COLD! My cute little outfit suddenly seems like a bad idea. I thought it would warm up a bit based on the weather report. All the tips I read say dress for weather 20 degrees than the temperature. I guess those tips don’t factor in grey skies and steady wind. I am shivering great big body racking shivers and (almost) wishing I had a few of those 25 pounds back for some warmth!

The start times were staggered by estimated finishing times which I thought was a great idea. After getting stuck behind a wall of walkers during my frustrating race a few weeks ago, I happily join Corral #4. We don’t get started until about 12 minutes after the gun, but that’s what chip timers are for.

This experience was so much better for me because I knew I could do it. I just felt so relaxed. There were a lot of racers, but we were moving at about the same pace so it was easy to get around people. I didn’t run into a lot of walkers. The course route was lovely – winding through downtown Atlanta. There was so much neighborhood support along the way despite the cold dreary weather. It was cool to get so much encouragement. I really felt proud to claim Atlanta as home.

There were hills (this is Atlanta), but they were manageable for the most part. I stuck with my chosen pace most of the time. I was able to speed up some after we hit the 10K mark and split from the marathoners. There were a lot less people around and I was able to run in my own little zone without getting stuck behind someone. I was really feeling that runner’s high – the miles were just flying by. When I saw my friends cheering me on at Mile 10, I felt even better. I knew I could finish this and finish it strong.

I hit the finish line running proud with my head held high and a smile on my face. The banner sign read 2:06 something but my trusty Polar that I started when I crossed the Start mat said 1:53 something. My official chip time was 1:53:53. Maybe those charts really are right!

This was the best race that I’ve ever run. I ran with absolutely no walk breaks of any kind (even when I took water down the wrong way and started choking on it LOL). I didn’t even make a bathroom pit stop. I felt like a real runner this time around. Most importantly, I feel like a whole marathon is within my grasp. I finished with a total high and I wanted more. I can’t wait for November. Richmond Suntrust Marathon here I come!