run the inaugural ing georgia marathon on march 25, 2007 and then hang out with jeherv in atlanta afterwards

If you told me a year ago that I would have run a half-marathon I would’ve probably done a spit take.

It feels like a dream, a vivid one. First off, waking up at 5 a.m. for this rock star is unfathomable. Yet I did it willingly. I was eager to meet this challenge. After all, I prepared for this since January 1st.

I met AM, JH and SS at the Inman Park MARTA station. We were at 5 Points in 10 minutes. A constant flow of people came out of the station to the street.

It was a beautiful morning, not a cloud in the sky. There was an incredible energy in the air, like a huge adrenaline bomb waiting to explode.

This was an international event. A woman from Ireland bumped into me and said sorry as I waited anxiously at the start line.

The MC introduced the race director and the husband to whom the race was dedicated. He lost his wife to cancer. After that a pastor, who was a runner, led a prayer. His prayer touched me. He prayed that each runner would encounter Christ during the race. He also prayed that at that point when we needed to dig deep, we’d call out to God for strength. Let me tell you I did this no less than 17 times.

Right at 7 a.m. the race started. It took a while for the thousands of runners to begin moving. Eventually I hit the mats which recorded my time with the special chip in my shoelaces.

I was passing many people looking for my pace. I finally found it at about mile 2. That was about the time I saw a gospel choir on the right singing for us! It was thrilling. They were wearing purple robes hitting tambourines and singing for us runners.

One of the most indelible things about this race was the amount of support from the city. At every single step of this race people were cheering for us saying “Go runners!,” holding signs and ringing cowbells. Some even had water bottles and oranges for us.

All things were rocking for me until I hit Freedom Parkway. That was the 10k spot and I was at 49 minutes at that point, doing well. However it wasn’t long after that I started fading fast.

As I got to Ponce to run through Virginia Highlands I began to struggle and slow down. I turned off the music too. It was messing with me head.

Honestly it was hill after hill. The flats were so short that I couldn’t quite catch my breath. I would turn the corner and it would just be another hill. It was brutal.

I think it was in Piedmont Park that did my first minute walk. I’d hoped to run the whole way but it wasn’t going to happen. I started praying fervently at this point. I just wanted to finish.

As I hit midtown I knew the end was getting closer. 10th Street was yet another hill before I turned to the home stretch and last brutal hill which was South on Peachtree Street. All I had to do was keep going.

Peachtree had the most supporters. People were everywhere. Quite honestly I blocked it all out. The only thing in my mind was crossing the finish line. Here I began walking more. I think I walked 3 more 1 minute breaks. People were passing me left and right but I didn’t care anymore.

Soon enough I saw the finish line. I knew then I’d run the rest of the way, finishing strong was the only option. I kept my head up and just ran.

I did it! The clock said 1:56 but my official chip time was 1:54:19, 8:43/mile pace. I was so glad it was over. If I make it sound hard that’s because it was. This was serious.

I didn’t know where to walk. I could barely walk as it was. I saw the medals and got mine. Right behind them were huge stacks of water. I grabbed one and inhaled it. I turned around and got another bottle. Just beyond the water was a huge, long table filled with gogurt, muffins, bananas and apples. I grabbed a gogurt and banana.

I was in a daze. I wanted to get back to MARTA so I could get home. As I walked I ran into an old college friend who was in town from Chicago for the race. She finished in 1:50 I think. We talked about the race and how hard it was.

I got to my car and sat down. I thanked God for allowing me to do this and for His help. It was an emotional moment. Truly there was NO WAY I could’ve done this without Christ. Sure I put in the training. The conditions were rough out there! It was hot and again the hills, so many. There is no doubt God carried me though this.

I’m so grateful to have been part of this first race. The city was closed off and shut down just for us runners. Police were at every street and many of them were cheering for us! My friend from New York, who ran the half, said she realized how much she enjoyed Atlanta during the race. The city looked beautiful. The route showed off our best neighborhoods. I think this race will be known for its difficulty.

All of the volunteers and staff did an excellent job. For us running the half I don’t think it could’ve gone any better. This was not the case for the marathoners. A few water stations were missing for a 6 mile stretch.

I’ve been asked will I run another. At this point I don’t know. There is an amazing sense of accomplishment that I can’t deny treasuring. I have concerns about the effects of running on the body, how it effects the knees, joints, back and overall health. I know there is a downside.

For now I don’t have to think about all that. For now I deal with the soreness in my legs. For now I take pride in accomplishing something which tested my limits physically and mentally.

Special thanks go out to Jeherv and Thatgirlsab for encouraging me to run this. I would never have done this if they hadn’t encouraged me.

I ran the half, apparently, I don’t know where to start… I guess the following would be a bunch of statements, no structure, my apologies in advance:

First, I would like to thank all those guys who came early in the morning to cheer runners, thank you kids for high-fiving the passing runners, thank you dogs for coming out and watching runners in absolute boredom and sleepy eyes, thank you “rough pavement ahead” announcer, and last but not least, thank you drivers trapped inside the route for not getting too upset :)

The race started at a little bit slower pace just because of the number of people present there, which was good. As soon as the crowd got a little spread out, we found ourself behind someone who was keeping the 4:00 pace for the marathoner, which was in perfect match with our planned 9min/mile pace… there, no stress for keeping a steady pace :) The first part was of course a mild downhill which served perfectly for warming us up (no room for pre-race stretching, as you would imagine). We, the half runners, split from the marathoners at about mile 4 (no more pace-keeper for me, no more road blockers for marathoners ;)) but at that point I was so amused with the surroundings that
I wasn’t really paying any attention to the pace. The worst slope of the half-mary route (Freedom Parkway) between miles 5 and 8 went easier than expected (I had a tough time running that section while training), maybe because of the extra motivation from the race, or because of “Run runners! Way to go!” being always in the air. I have no recollection of miles 8-11! Juest mechanically running, I guess. And then the race technically finished at mile 11, no challenge, no worry, nothing! I still crazy-ran the very last mile just for the kicks of it! Game clock 1:52, personal time: 1:50(something).

Went back after the finish line to watch other half/full runners finish, and it almost made me cry [How did I came up with the “almost-crying” idea? Perhaps I did almost cry?]

We went to my friend’s place for ice cream :) and then to the campus for swimming (which turned out to be just floating for the most part :)). [Note to self: terrible idea to try to cut the running route driving during a race!] Went home, did nothing for a while, got something to eat, watched “Goodfellas” (again!), went to sleep, and woke up to see it was already late for hanging out with jeherv. Needless to say, I didn’t want to miss the last part of the goal, so I drove to James’ place and met his family, annamaria08, JamSmooth, a quite lively and active Abby, and two not-so-pleased-seeing-me puppies :) [Great to meet you all, by the way :)] Listened, talked (a little), laughed (quite a bit), and mostly shared the post-race sluggishness :)

When I wanted to go home, however, my car wouldn’t start! I thought it’s because it was heated up (it sometimes does that!), but alas… the gear was not in the park, and it took me a modest 40-minute span to figure that out! (Ever wondered how it feels to be brain-dead?) My clumsiness still astonishes me… sometimes :)

Thanks James for encouraging us to run it, for great training advices, and for the post-race gathering.

Great job everybody. Thank you!

PS. I have no intention to check this post for typos, apparently :)

I’m still processing this accomplishment. It seems like a dream, like it didn’t happen in reality. Oh but my legs sure bring it back quickly! I can barely walk. Stairs are deadly!

The turnout by the fans impressed me. There were people cheering at every single mile.

Very tough race. I’m on the fence about another half. I haven’t ruled it out either. We’ll see.

Thanks to all my friends for their support! Thanks to my Higher Power for getting me through that race!

Despite being undertrained, I posted my best half marathon time yet (which is still nothing to write home about!). I’m paying for it now, though—my knees and ankles and a blister on the bottom of my left foot are killing me.

I loved the course and am definitely going to do it again next year. I promise I’ll train for it too. :P

While I couldn’t stay long, I’m glad I got to stop by jeherv’s place so I could really count this goal as done. :) Thanks for your hospitality!

longer race report tomorrow

we should be marking this one as ‘done’

It took an hour for SS and me to get our race stuff. By the time we left AmericasMart the line was down the street and almost around the corner. It was a madhouse in there.

The race is going to be insane tomorrow. 15,000 people running all at the same time. The energy will be off the charts.

I’m reflecting on this race. Tomorrow is the culmination of 3 months (really 2.5 with my injury) of training. Honestly I’m mixed about running. I know running is brutally hard on the body, especially the knees. I know that a balanced workout regimen includes resistance training, something I truly love. For me running a marathon is as appealing as living in Siberia. I discovered I enjoy the 5k and 10k races.

Though this training I found I enjoy running quite a bit. The solitude, being with nature, seeing different sides of my neighborhood and the athletic aspects are great. This training practically eliminated my weight training though. I dropped down to once a week. After this race I’m going to be hitting the weights hard.

Earlier today I ran 2 miles on the advice of my friend who made my orthotics. He said to run in them and make sure my feet felt good. I’m glad I did it too. It was the first I’m I’ve run in 11 days. Everything felt ok. The knee felt strong.

Am I excited? For sure. Do I have doubts? Not so much. I have no doubt this race will be a rewarding experience. I’ll get to see an extremely unique side of the city. I will have proof that anybody can do anything if they train and keep their eyes on the goal.

Interesting fact. Tomorrow marks 5 years off of cigarettes. How about that for an awesome coincidence? Expect a full report on the race.

you guys ready?

almost here. i look and see that 21 days felt soon 3 weeks ago… i think that we’ve just got 6 miles left! that is just incredible! i can’t wait… goose bumps!

Ran a couple of 6-miles this week. Nothing extraordinary. One 6 and one 3 left before the race, the schedule says. How’s everybody doing?

Any last minute advice? :)