The Peachtree in Pictures

7:50 start, Group E.Looking at group F. Favorite sightI ran on the right hand side because I ran slow and so I was sure to get a blessing. This guys a  Lutheran, but hey there's no bad blessing if you ask me.Yum -beer.

 Running on an empty stomach I had to fore go or Catholic Runner would have been Buzzed up Runner. No Tolerance.This is a picture of the finish line photographers, see them up there by the stoplight. You know them, the ones who can't get a good photo of you if you paid them.The End.

P.S. Let's just say I beat my husband by 6.2 miles and I'll leave it at that...

Third Times A Charm or Three Strikes Your Out

I am planning on running the Peachtree Road Race on the 4th. My shins are telling me something different.
Probably not a good choice for my first post-injury race experience since the Nike Women's Half.

For the 3rd year in a row, I will stand in starting area and think "what the hell was I thinking?"...

No Justice

Let's see the last time I had a good race photo taken was a... NEVER!

I keep waiting, I am prepared to pay the crazy prices, for just one good picture. One that makes me look like a strong confident runner. Nine individual pictures were taken of me. Nine and not one good one, not one!

Note to self: stop getting your hair cut only to realize that you need to grow it out. (same exact revelation I had after seeing last years pictures)

I am not just being vain. These are bad, sweaty pictures. I have to be the pastiest person in Atlanta. Lord I need a tan. However, I am thankful that there's not the cellulite shot. You know the one where your leg is just getting ready to strike the ground and your thighs are all flabby, and jiggly. No, oh that's just me. Seriously, I could start a collection of those shots.

The Mister had five individual photos taken. Remember, first race and all. All five are good! UGH!

image: Marathonfoto

Peachtree Results

I had planned to post prior to the race but have been in the middle of a move so things are a bit out of whack. I ran 4 miles on Thursday and took Friday off.

The stats for Saturdays race was 5007 finishers (26170 Male/23837 Female)

Knowing I would be run/walking my goal was to finish in at least 1:10

My official stats were

Division: Masters
Age:42

Chip Time: 1:05:48

Clock Time: 1:36:24
Overall: 18702

Sex Place: 6591

Division Place: 2467

Age Grade 48.4%

I am pretty happy with that. I tried to stick to 4 minutes of running/1 minute of walking.

I am sure if I would of/could of ran in a straight line rather than dodging people ALL 6.2 miles (6.29 according to my garmin) I could have shaved a little time.

What I am not so happy with is the fact that my non-running husband came in 7 minutes after me. His first 10K, little training, longest run being 4.2 miles, and drinking 4+ plus beers the night before. Did I mention the only thing he's ever run was a 1 mile fun run. I wasn't expecting him to do awful but I was expecting at least 10 a minute difference. I am going to have to step it up next year.

I am also not so happy that it looks like I might have started a tradition, finishing the Peachtree with a shin splint. I have done myself a big disservice by not forcing myself to get outside and run. I am not sure why the road vs the treadmill makes such a big difference on my shins but it does. I took yesterday off and was hoping to be able to ease back into running today. But that was wishful thinking. Super sore! I am going to try and be patient so it will heal as quickly as possible so I can get on with training for the Nike 1/2 in October. I was hoping to build to 9 miles this week but that could be questionable.

The number gods have smiled on me

Although I've lived in Atlanta for 10 years, last year was the first time I've ever ran the Peachtree Road Race. It just never appealed to me. Too many people, too hot, cardiac hill, entry drawing, etc. However last year when I learned that since the company I work for is a sponsor we have guarantee entry, I thought why not. To be honest it was the suckiest, hottest 6 miles I could have run but when it was over I couldn't wait to do it again. Seriously for the first mile you had to concentrate on not running into people, there's that many people! Runners are divided into 9 starting groups. 9! When last years packet arrived this was my number

Back of the pack. The race starts at 7:30. I promise you I didn't start running to 9:30! However, when this year's packet arrived last week, or maybe the week before (lazy blogger) this is what I saw
Sweet Jesus, middle of the pack! Start time 7:59am! Woo Hoo!