How was everyone’s long weekend? Since March I had been training semi-training for a very popular 10K that happens in Atlanta every July 4th. The Peachtree Road Race is a total of 6.2 miles of rather hilly terrain and not to mention it takes place in the most humid and torturing summer temps. I had been looking forward to the race until the day before and then I started to get nervous about really being able to complete the entire course.
Sunday, I went down to the expo to pick up my number and I started to get excited. The process was smooth sailing despite the thousands of people that were down there. I got my number and proceeded to go find me some official running gear.
Monday morning I woke up at 4:30 and started the process of heading down to the start line. I got down there around 7:30 and this is the seated view of my wave waiting for our start time of 8:55a.
At about 8:50 we started moving toward the start line to get started on our way. I struck up conversation with a few people and it eased my nerves a bit. I was ready!
I completely ran the first 2.5 miles until we hit the first of many hills and from that point on I did a run, walk. Probably more walking than running but at that point it had become really hot and we were told not to over exert ourselves and stay hydrated and that’s just what I did. I finally made it to the finish line. My official time was 1:30:06. I walked over the finish line and I felt like my legs were going to come off they hurt so bad. I got my shirt and found the Mr. and the children who had come down to cheer me on. Grabbed my shirt, a wet towel, some popsicles, ice cream sandwhiches, and some Powerade and started the mile walk to the car..at this point I was struggling but I made it!!
Next stop half marathon…Thanksgiving Day!
10 Comments
Prototype Mama
July 7, 2011 at 3:59 pmGlad you finished your first big race— I’ve always wanted to do a Marathon but I always chicken out but the thought is now on my mind again 🙂
Kim
July 7, 2011 at 4:07 pmThat’s great! Congratulations of finishing the race.
fran
July 7, 2011 at 4:15 pmThat heat was a KILLER!!! Good job! I am with you on Thanksgiving Day!! WootWoot!
YUMMommy
July 7, 2011 at 5:15 pmCongrats on finishing your first big race!!! Wishing you luck with training for the half marathon.
Roses daughter
July 7, 2011 at 5:31 pmGirl!!!!! Those hills!! I just about died! I kept shuffling along because if I had stopped, I would have stopped at Starbucks and waited for the race to be over! You’re doing a half marathon? I was thinking about the turkey day 5k!
Chellany
July 7, 2011 at 8:38 pmSo proud of you!! What an accomplishment!
Jenni
July 8, 2011 at 5:36 pmCongrats on finishing the race! I trained for the Cooper River Run in Charleston several years ago. I had to have surgery right before the race and wasn’t able to run. Maybe I’ll get up the nerve to train and actually run it, one day.
Tiffany
July 9, 2011 at 7:58 pmI applaud anyone who can do the Peachtree Road Race! It take a lot of perseverance. Me on the other hand, once I see the traffic and crowds, I’m heading back up I-85 North to Gwinnett lol!
Beach Coast Style
July 11, 2011 at 11:41 amCongrats on your marathon!!! I don’t think I would run a 1/4 of a mile. My hat is always off to runners!!! Kids are sooo cute!
Jackie Garvin
July 13, 2011 at 11:14 pmCongratulations on your race! What an accomplishment! I’m so impressed that you are continuing on. I ran my first 10K in March of this year. After all that training, I started getting sick a few days before the race. I was bound and determined not to let anything get in my way. Things just kept getting progressively worse and worse until I was convinced I was wake up race day and my head was going to fall off! Anyway, I finished the race. I look back at the pictures and I looked just awful! I wrote my blog post with a lot of humor. You might enjoy reading it. I really like your style of writing. I will be back.