Well....I waited a couple of days and reflect on my experience on Sunday to post something. If I could sum it up in one word it would be...'hills'. Good God!
I flew into Atlanta on Saturday and knew it was a bad omen when there were nasty thunderstorms rolling in. Like that city needs more damage after the tornado that ripped up downtown.
I managed to check into my hotel and walk over to the Georgia Dome to pick up my race # and chip. As far as expos go, it was 1st class. It was on the Georgia Dome field and everything was spread out. Got my Shirt, Chip and # . After I recieved those I was mentally preparing myself for tomorrow. That nagging feeling of..'can I do this with my legs' kept creeping back into my mind. Got an early dinner(Spaghetti ...eat it before every marathon..superstitious ) and got to bed early.
Sunday morning was cold and wet which I can handle, but wasnt too thrilled about the windy conditions. Got in my corral and ready to go. They started off the race in a 45 second staggered start. Which is fine with me, I did not have to fight the whole world the 1st 2 miles.
We were off and I felt the worst feeling a marathoner could have. Mile 1 and your legs hurt. I said to myself, you have 25.2 miles to go...great...
The next 5 or 6 miles were fine, keeping pace about 8:20, not overdoing it. Until mile 6, we hit a right turn and saw the hill that we were facing. I said outloud..'You have to be#&^$ kidding me' . This monstrous incline which lasted about a mile...

After that, I knew I was in trouble. I steadily started to slow and slow. About mile 11, I just had to walk. I couldnt believe it. Mile 11!!! Right then..I had a 'come to Jesus meeting' with myself and decided...Its going to be ugly, but you are going to finish, walk way and focus on a PR in Colorado in May. I made it to the half way point(13.1 mile mark) at a respectable 1:58. But the next 13.1 miles was a painful series of hills, hamstring pain, cramping. But that motto kept me moving ...'PR in Colorado.."
I have to admit, the scenry was great, especially the Decatur area. Also, you have to give credit to the volunteers and the locals cheering you on. Great job! Highlights... Anne Scott College, Emory Univ, Inman Park, Georgia Tech, Decatur neighborhoods.
But one thing I couldn't get over were the hills, they kept coming and coming. Mile 23 thru the end was pretty much ALL uphill. I shuffled my way to the finish line in 4:34:53. About 50 minutes slower than my previous marathon 5 weeks ago. But, after the lady placed the medal around my neck. I thought, it was my 2nd worst marathon, but one that I am most proud of . I went threw with something that most people would have backed out of. I think that makes me officially crazy.
I enjoyed the moment for a few minutes and told myself the saying that got me thru the day...'PR in Colorado'......Next Stop ....Colorado!!...4 1/2 weeks!!!
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