Race Report: Publix Georgia Half Marathon [The Race]

Publix Georgia Half Marathon | March 17

The Race

I tell ya what, after working 5+ hours at a race expo, a 5 am alarm comes really early in the morning - not that it isn't early anyway, but when your 6 hours of sleep the night before a race is the most you've had in three days... it's early. Heather and I were up and out the door by 5:30 to get to downtown Atlanta, parked and to the race start area in Centennial Park by 6:15 or so. Surprisingly, parking wasn't chaotic, as we parked in a little side lot for $10 not even a block from the park - success! After finding gear check and volunteer check in (side note: Jayne, the volunteer coordinator, had rescued my brand new Under Armour fleece jacket and it was promised she would have it there this morning; all I had to do was pick it up after the race), we found our sorority sisters - so many of us! Brandi was running the half, Heather and I the half, Liz was running her first full and Jessica her third full. So many OPA-powered runners! Love these ladies and connecting over running, fitness, and the ins and outs of runner life. 

It noted online to be in your corral by 6:50 am. I have no idea what time we headed towards the corrals, but they were a total cluster. I was assigned to corral K, but after passing corral G, I saw no signs and the back-up of people was completely overwhelming. I found somewhere to hop into a corral where I saw lots of Is and Js, and given that the herd of people had already started moving, just stood off to the side until I saw a few more Ks pop up - ultimately, I figured it didn't matter where I started, given the chip-time, but I wanted to at least make it through with some peers who were about my time range (mind you, I didn't even see any pace groups for a good while in the corrals!). 

The night before, Heather asked if I had wanted to hang back and run with her or if I planned on actually racing. Even the morning of, I still wasn't sure. I wasn't feel my best, and still coming out of marathon recovery (my longest run had been the Taste 10K, and a few other runs 5-6 miles each). I figured I'd just start and see how things went, and if I feel into a groove, awesome; if not, I'd just finish with what I thought made sense. This course is no joke and certainly proves that even if you think you know Atlanta hills, they'll show you that you don't.

I started out, feeling like I was just trotting along for the first few miles. The course is a great one, taking you through some major Atlanta attractions and points of interest. The race starts in Centennial Park, centerpiece to the downtown blocks that make up the Georgia Aquarium, CNN Center, and the World of Coke. Almost immediately into the race, you're on Georgia State's campus in downtown, followed shortly by the Martin Luther King Jr. Historical Site, and eventually the Carter Library and Museum, through the beautiful Virginia Highlands, a stint in Piedmont Park, through downtown, Georgia Tech, and back into downtown. If you're a non-Atlanta runner, this is an amazing course that really highlights Atlanta and all it has to offer. If I weren't in the city as often as I am, I would be pleasantly happy with what scenery the course had along the way - I was more excited that I ran by landmarks that I actually recognized and that  I at least semi-sort-of knew where I was! 

Running through Piedmont. Always my favorite.

Some of the great things about this course, especially if you're a regular Atlanta runner, is that about 70% of the half marathon course is covered by other races. The Color Run, Hot Chocolate 15K and Peachtree all have snippets (mostly in reverse, compared to today's course) along this path, so it helped that I knew where I was and what hills I was about to head into. Familiar territory is always nice in a race day environment! 

I didn't fall into a real 'groove' until almost mile 7, and had already taken two walk breaks by then, which is fairly non-characteristic for me, but again, wasn't sure I was actually racing this. At that point, I realized if I pushed just a little more, I could at least ball-park near my half PR, which I would be more than ecstatic with. At mile 9, I felt myself waning faster than normal, and decided to just keep pushing as best as I could. At 12, I just wanted to be done - as evident by those splits. It wasn't until probably a quarter into that last full mile that I actually felt like I was able to run the rest of the way in - considering I normally sprint the last entire half mile, this was rough.

At least I don't look like I'm dying! Mile 12.

Brandi's mom was waiting for me at the finish line (she'd been tracking us all via text), but she said I must've ran the last mile so fast, she wasn't ready for me! Oh well.

Half marathon #8 - done and done!

Final time: 2:18:20

2332/4951 women

47.57% age grade 

 

I went and retrieved my oodles of belongings (jacket at volunteer check in, food bag by Publix, gear check), and met up with Brandi's mom and dad to wait for Brandi and Heather to finish. Heather and Brandi had met up at some point and were finishing the race together - the plus to running with cell phones, though I know a lot of folks don't like to. After Heather and Brandi came through their sprinting finish (3:16), we hung out in the park for awhile, met some new friends, stretched, and relaxed. About the time we knew Liz would coming towards the finish, we made our way back to the finish line, cheering folks in for both the half and full. It never fails to get me to see folks crying their way into the finish, having finished their first half, or majorly PRed, or swooping up their toddler to carry them in with them. Emotional. Wreck. <-- that's me

How fun are the medals though, for reals?

We got to see Liz come through, looking great coming into her moment of glory! Never forget how that feels girl, you earned it! Congratulations on joining the 1% club! Heather and I then had to blitz off and head back to Piedmont for a little kickball action - seriously. We "stretched" out and played an hour's worth of kickball to end our fitness-filled day. We're dumb sometimes. But it was fun. 

And with views like this, why not?

And there you have. Half marathon #8 in the books, race #5 of 2013, and a great day in the pocket. KT tape review to come in on Friday, given that this sucker got a little longer than I intended!

 Did you race on St. Patrick's Day? Are you an all-green sort of runner, or do you never dress in theme?

Race Report: Publix Georgia Half Marathon [The Expo]

Publix Georgia Half Marathon | March 17

The Expo

I signed up for this race somewhere around Christmas. About a month ago, I decided that I wanted to also volunteer some of my time and work the expo - part of my goals for the year is to volunteer for at least two races. So many of my races have been great thanks to some outstanding volunteers and I wanted to return the favor, even if I couldn't do it on race day.

On Saturday, I was driving back up from Florida (that's a different story for a different day), and was supposed to be at the expo at 1:30. Traffic was horrendous just south of Atlanta, and apparently there was a St. Patrick's day parade in downtown - all places I needed to be! Super. I got to the expo about 2, met up with Heather, and we got down to work (well, correction, she'd been there awhile already).

 

We spent all afternoon working packet pick up and had a blast. It got a little chaotic for some points, but was a total blast. Heather and I kind of became some sort of team leads and helped organizing our packet system, bag and shirt pick up, and became our area leader's go-to ladies. All in fun times! Brandi spotted us, as did a few other friends - our sorority sister Liz was running her first full, Jessica her third.So many girls all together - how perfect!

Spotted! Photo cred: Brandi

Before the expo closed at 6, we got to take a quick break and check out the booths - some really fantastic booths. Lots of good free swag and fun stuff to stop and check out. The race had a ton of great merchandise, including a few tops I lusted over, but unfortunately just had to say no. With Publix being a main sponsor passed out mini cutting boards, and some biscotti spread, in addition to having an almost full-service store set up! Photography company was doing on-the-spot prints with some awesome props. Ragnar, runDisney, Rock 'n Roll were all there. I stayed clear of all those for now; no cash for the extra races! Soon enough. Except Ragnar - finally got to meet Lindsay! Hooray! ... and no photo to prove it. Womp. I also finally got to stop at the KT Tape table and get my knee taped - first time I've finally gotten to since the line was actually short - but more on that on Wednesday with my race recap.

 

 We were signed up to work until 6:30 and ended up being there until almost 7 - again, turned into those unofficial team leads. It was fun, seriously though, but surely regretted being on my feet all that time by the end of our shift. At that point, I was just hoping that the balls of my feet didn't throb that bad come first thing in the morning.

Perks to working packet pick up? Super easy packet pick up!

Half marathon #8, here I come!

Have you ever volunteered at a race expo? Do you ever volunteer at the race expo you end up running?

Race Report: Hot Chocolate Atlanta 15K [The Expo]

Hot Chocolate 15K Expo | January 11-12, 2013

Atlanta, GA

Before I start my post(s) about the Hot Chocolate race, I want to clarify two things: first, I did serve as an Ambassador for HC Atlanta, which solely meant that  I got to help promote the race and got a few free race things (not a race entry); and b) despite knowing issues with RAM Racing in the likes of DC and Chicago, I was trying to remember to be [cautiously] optimistic given that Atlanta is a new city for them. That being said...

Expo time! Who doesn't love a good expo? My sister and I headed over to the Georgia World Congress Center on Friday night right after I picked her up from the airport to pick up hers, mine and Heather's bibs and sweet goodie bags.

Friday morning was a little nerve-wracking: my sister had forwarded me a pre-race email that she had gotten earlier in the week - that I never got! That also had the link to buy your parking permit for race day parking at Turner Field. After about 5 minutes of reading the email, and going to the link, it didn't work! Not long after, Hot Chocolate folks were replying to Facebook posts and questions and indicated that race day parking was sold out. Um what? Not even all of us got this pre-race email! Super. However, they did have a plan already in place to run free shuttles from downtown Atlanta at Centennial Olympic Park, so okay, there's a back up plan in place. Too bad the shuttles would be a) chaotic and b) there's a Falcons play off game Sunday at 1 (not that they could have planned for that). My hopes of being optimistic as possible were dashed a bit.

The expo itself was small - Hot Chocolate race gear (LOTS of fun stuff!), Big Peach (local sponsor) had a huge blow-out store area, and Rock and Roll Savannah and the Georgia Publix Marathon folks were out with race sign ups. There was a kiddie area, in addition to a chocolate display and free samples of chocolate squares and hot chocolate that we'll get at the race (the more chocolate, the better!).

Bib pick up is split up by the race (whether you're a 5Ker or a 15Ker), and then you're guided on to get  your swag bag - your sweatshirt, a hat (if you got one with a promo code). Being that the sweatshirts run small (they fit short), they had set up a Jacket Swap area, with already-opened sweatshirts for you to try on a size, so if needed, you could exchange your hoodie for a correct size. I appreciated this fact - this way, you're ensured to get a new sweatshirt that someone already hasn't busted open and tried on. Smart thinking. Thanks RAM Racing!

Georgia Publix medals - half marathon (L) and marathon (R).

We walked around a little bit longer, checked out the medals for the Georgia Publix race (I'm running the half) and headed out. They had just revealed these not too long ago on their Facebook page. So excited about the sparkly, glittery green goodness these medals are! How fun! I guess you can get away with such things with a race on St. Patrick's Day! The full marathon medal is the same design as the half, just a  bit bigger and a different color ribbon.

Turns out Heather was able to buy parking that afternoon (even though they were "sold out"?), so we grabbed that on our way out. And that was it. Easy, quick, mellow. Super. And that was it! Easy peasy! Have to love an easy expo.

The only true unfortunate part of the expo, and not that this could be helped (though could with a different venue) was paying $10 for parking, for what literally was a 15 minute trip through the expo. I feel that there could either be better locations to allow for a free expo or working with venues to accomodate and either vouch parking or provide a discount of some kind. Ah well.

Are you running Hot Chocolate Atlanta? The 5K or 15K? Hope to see you there!

I served as an Ambassador for the Atlanta Hot Chocolate race. While I did not receive compensation or a comped race entry fee, I did receive two shirts and a race hat from RAM Racing prior to the race. All opinions and thoughts are my own.