This was my comeback race in 2019!!
This year's race was particularly meaningful to me because it is the first time I have completed 13.1 v3rdmiles in approximately 2 years. Also it's the first race I've really run since the Covington Cheerios Challenge 15k in April of 2019.
My plan was to run for 2 minutes and walk for 30 seconds throughout the half marathon. I was committed to doing this no matter what. On the uphills, I would ease up on the pace while taking shorter faster strides. On the downhills, I would pick up the pace depending on how things were going.
I arrived at the 10k point in 2 hours and 18 minutes. I felt really good, but I knew that the most challenging part of the race was yet to come. The last half has some hills that will really slow down an average, middle of the pack runner.
When I reached mile eleven, I looked for fellow runner, Hoyt Baker. He had told me that he would be there helping manage that segment of the course. I had almost given up on seeing him, when I found him at the 11.5 mile mark reminding runners to stay in the middle lane of the road. I paused and chatted with him. He took a great picture of me and posted it on Facebook later that afternoon.Much to my surprise, I didn't feel bad at that point. I was glad because I knew some challenging hills were ahead for the last two miles. However, I was thrilled when I saw that we were running around the capitol building because that cut out a challenging uphill.
By the time I had a view of the Olympic Rings, I still had about a mile to go. That mile was mostly downhill. I decided to cut out my walk breaks at that point and put my body in cruise control all the way to the finish in the Georgia State Panthers' Stadium.
The weather was perfect, the run was challenging, but pleasant and I was surrounded by people of good will. I should be in better shape for next years Half. If so, I could be looking at a course PR. I feel great and I want you all to know that my training and weight loss regimen are paying dividends.
