The ING Georgia Half Marathon Race Report

***WARNING  there are sentences in this post that involve sickness. You have been warned***

As I had stated in a previous post, I was running this race to test my nutrition and Newtons for IM 70.3 Texas next month.  But so much more came from this race.

Friday Night.

The plan as of Friday night when I sat down to eat my pasta dinner was to wake up early on Saturday and get in an easy two and a half hour ride on the trainer.  After the ride Eyrleigh and I would head down to the expo for packet pick-up. Then Sunday would bring a great race as a result of hard work during this training cycle.

Saturday Morning

2am : I woke up with what felt like a hockey puck in my stomach... Not good. Took 2 tums and layed on the couch. Up at 2:30, 3:30, 4:30, and at 5 I proceeded to the bathroom to lose the contents of my stomach. CRAP. The 24 hour bug had hit me hard.  However, I had no trouble sleeping until 10am.

Saturday 10am

I woke up weak, but feeling ok.  The bike ride scheduled for today was a faded memory. Now it was time to get on the Pedialyte and to try to get some bland calories in my system.  I had lost 4lbs from the night before.  At 12:30 we headed for the expo and I explained to Eyrleigh that I was sore all over and could not carry her around the expo.  We drove downtown to Georgia Dome and I felt 85 years old rolling that stroller around.  We picked up the race packet, and headed home. I was exhausted.  After an hour nap I felt well enough to sit outside.  I even hit the tennis ball around.  We went home and I was in bed by 9:30

Sunday 4:30am Race Day

I woke up and felt okay, but I like to get up and eat at least 2 hours before the race.  So I showered, dressed and ate and I was out the door by 4:50am. I stopped for coffee and arrived downtown at 5:30.  I got out of the car and headed to the start finished.  I was thinking a 2 hour half today would be a solid effort. 

I walked through the park and made my way to the Omni Hotel to stay out of the cool weather.  At 6:40 I found the porta john and made my way to the corral for the start. Sub 2.

We were off and here is what I was feeling by blocks of miles.

Miles 1-4
Am I sweating because I am still sick or am I actually racing?

Mile 1          8:25
Mile 2          8:25       16:55
Mile 3          8:30       25:30
Mile 4          8:30       34:05

Miles 5-9
I am racing! I love the Newtons
Mile 5         8:20        42:30
Mile 6         8:30        51:05
Mile 7         8:20        59:30
Mile 8         8:20     1:07:55
Mile 9         8:15     1:16:15
Miles 10-12
Starting to fatigue, must push through the hills...
Mile 10      8:45      1:25:05
Mile 11      8:30      1:33:40
Mile 12      8:35      1:42:25

Mile 13 and .1
pedal to the medal... SUB 1:50:00!!!
Mile 13      8:18      1:49:48

I was in shock... After all of that I still managed to run a PR on a tough course. Bring on Texas 70.3!

Suunto Data below...