Friday, February 25, 2011

Getting ready for the Georgia Marathon…

First things first, yesterday while I was professing my love for fruits and veggies from my CSA, I forgot to mention it was my Dad's 75th birthday. Happy birthday Dad!

Is it just me or do races have a way of sneaking up on everyone? You are blindly following your training plan when one day you look ahead to the next month and realize that your race is only 3 weeks away. Gulp.

The Georgia Marathon, formerly know as the ING (if Prince can change his name so can this race…), holds a special place in my heart. It was my first half marathon in what seems like ages ago but was only 2008. I still remember the excitement of running down the chute to the finish line, hyperventilating with excitement and choking back tears of pride. Going to the expo I felt “half” as good somehow, like the little sister to the rock star marathon. On race day, as the half marathon runners split from the full marathon runners on what is essentially a tour of Atlanta on foot I knew I wanted to run the full at some point. March 20th is that day.

March 20th will mark marathon number FIVE! Amazing only because marathon one was such a painful experience I can’t believe I convinced myself to run another one. I have my last long run this weekend and then I will be in taper mode. Admittedly, my training was a little disjointed as I had the Goofy Challenge in the middle of the training plan. In the end, it probably helps that I have that base coming into training. Mentally, I think I used it as a crutch and probably took off a little longer than I should have before ramping up for this race. I’ll let you know how that plan worked on race day. LOL.

With the name change, the Georgia Marathon is now sponsored by Publix instead of ING. They have made a couple of fun changes to the race one of which involves cupcakes at the finish line. What is not to love? They also have created a VIP area. For an additional fee of $75 you receive reserved parking, private restrooms, private gear check, pre and post race buffets and free post race massages. It reminds me a lot of the Disney Race Retreat only a little cheaper. I probably won’t do it this year since I am in a budget lockdown but love the idea of it.

Lastly, just in case I am leading the race I will be making sure that I follow the race course and not the lead motorcycle like the leader did last year. The motorcycle made a wrong turn causing the leader to miss an out and back leg which led to his disqualification. Not the first time that has happened in a race. Can you imagine how badly that motorcycle driver must have felt? Note to self, carry a race map.

14 comments:

San said...

Well, good luck for the resting time. Enjoy it.

This race leader story is so frustrating. Well, it won't happen to me any time soon.

Unknown said...

just came across your blog! you have some great insight on your posts! i can't wait to see what you come up with next! good luck on your rest!

Georgia Snail said...

Enjoy your taper!!!!!

ValerieB said...

Good luck on marathon #5. This race will be mine and my mother's 10th half-marathon. Hoping for marathon #1 next year!!!

Jill said...

I've run the half there the past 3 years and LOVE LOVE LOVE that course, always a PR for me and my current 1:44 PR *sigh* but will not be making it this year due to my heel. I love the diversity of neighborhoods and so pretty!! I'll be thinking about about you out there on race day...I hope you have a great race and enjoy your every second of it! :)

ajh said...

Wow! That is awful about the leader last year. So glad you will carry a map and earn your leader status!

Amber said...

yes!! hammer time!!... opps I mean tapper. Yes erm... tapper.

Karen Seal said...

Good luck on your 5th Marathon! how exciting! Have a great weekend! :0)

Kim at TennisFixation said...

Karen - Good luck with your marathon. I'm training for a half-marathon in September so I've got a ways to go. BTW - You're the winner of my Tennis Fixation giveaway! I just posted about it - http://tennisfixation.blogspot.com/2011/02/we-have-winner.html. E-mail me your mailing address and I'll send you your prize! - kimselzman@gmail.com

Laura said...

WOW I cannot believe that story about the lead motorcycle! How terrible for the front runners. Though perhaps making that mistake again for lots of people would help ensure me access to more cupcakes at the end ;)

Amanda said...

Good luck with the taper. I'm sure you'll do great with the race since you have a strong base from the Goofy.

If I was a leader (never happen) I'd blindly follow the motorcycle too...Why? I can get lost in my own house...

I've done two races where the course was difficult/impossible to follow. One race was a first time 5K and they actually handed out a paper map of the course - ummm, was I supposed to bring a compass? The other I was so far back I actually panicked because I didn't have anyone to follow - I did manage to make it the right way and finish the course, but it was touch and go for a while.

Chris said...

Karen - That's SWEET! I have run the ING Ga Marathon 3 or 4 times since it began, and it really is a great race. This will be my first year NOT running it (baseball season for the boys) and I'm kind of bummed a bit about that. I think my half marathon PR is still sitting on that course, actually :)

And yes... they DO sneak up on you :)

Lindsay said...

cupcakes!!! publix is a way better sponsor. probably didn't charge an arm and a leg like ING wants either.

Johann said...

Nothing better than an upcoming marathon! Enjoy the taper! I once ran a half marathon where the lead car took a wrong turn and got lost. The whole field followed and we ran 24.5km instead of 21.1. People were not amused.