“Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must; just never give up.” – Dean Karnazes
Quote sums up my 5th FULL:
- first marathon in USA Eastern Time Zone (never adjusted to the 2 hour time difference)
- last marathon in the South for several months (temps are already heating up in Dixie)
Race Highlights:
- the Omni Hotel (marathon started at CNN Center – super convenient)
- Martin Luther King Nat’l Historic Site (mile 4)
- the Carter Center (mile 6)
- Emory University (mile 16) – super positive student volunteers
- Georgia Tech (mile 24) – universities are always mighty scenic, runner eye candy
Paced well for 14 miles – up and down, up and down, one hill after another.
At mile 16, I grabbed water. At mile 17, I started walking up the highest hills. At mile 23, my quads ceased – too many hills, serious lactic acid buildup, began walking. Pulled it together & produced a slow crawl for the final mile thru Atlanta’s downtown.
Not a fine moment but I finished. Tough day – my 2nd worst time to date.
1575 K R Haga Louisville CO 4:45:14
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- 7am start – all smiles
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- corralled in downtown Atlanta – 13,000 runners
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- G-A Marathon FINISHER!
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- Centennial Olympic Park
UPDATE:
4 weeks ‘til my April marathon in Salt Lake. Only 2 days after Atlanta I biked 17 miles (indoors), followed by a 1000 yard swim. Wednesday 545am, I biked another 17 miles & on Thursday (only 4 days after the Georgia Marathon) I ran 10 miles.
Already solved my calorie count in March (now eating 5 small meals a day). In April, I start outdoor cycling AND train for marathon #6 (my first in altitude). Colorado winter almost over, time to fully commit. No more excuses.
Friday 5:15pm, Gate C42 – off to Atlanta, site of my 5th marathon.
Started Saturday with a huge buffet breakfast at the Omni – multiple plates of fresh fruit & oatmeal. FANNNNNTASTIC!
Next stop, CNN Center. Since the Omni is physically attached to CNN, felt obliged. Took a studio tour – not that different from my time at FOX. I’d rate it A-ok – an hour is certainly long enough.
A few blocks away off Marietta, visited the World of Coca-Cola. Highly recommended.
Coke was invented by druggist John Pemberton in Georgia. Who knew? And while Coca-Cola would become America’s national drink, Pemberton unfortunately died poor, sick & morphine addicted.
With public concern about drug addiction, depression and alcoholism among [Civil] war veterans…as well as among “highly-strung” Southern women, Pemberton’s medicine was advertised as particularly beneficial for “ladies, and all those whose sedentary employment causes nervous prostration”.
Pemberton made many health claims for his product, touting it as a “valuable brain tonic” that would cure headaches, relieve exhaustion and calm nerves, and marketed it as “delicious, refreshing, pure joy, exhilarating,” and “invigorating.”
Enjoyed the history, brand-generated pop art & of course, the Tasting Room. Cola products from all over the world were up for the tasting. Madagascar’s cola includes mango juice; Latin American colas are sugar cane sweetened (almost sickeningly sweet); while China’s apple cola – actually not so bad.
Ended my day at the Georgia Aquarium before savoring a plate of pricey grouper at McCormick & Schmicks. [Key Observation: Lotta seafood restaurants near Aquariums. Coincidence? 🙂 ]
Early to bed, early to rise. Tomorrow is marathon day.
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- On my way to marathon #5!
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- CNN Center
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- Inside CNN Studio Tour
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- March Madness in Hotlanta
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- my shoe featured @ the Runner’s Expo
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- the World of Coca-Cola
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- Pop Art
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- Tasting Room
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- Don’t mind if I do
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- Check out those blossoms!
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- Georgia Aquarium
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- Happy Feet
Race day. Up at 5am, already 65 degrees & crazy humid – in February!
Spent 30+ minutes locating parking in the designated state capitol parking garage(s) – Austin’s gotta resolve I-35 traffic congestion & downtown parking (friendly suggestion) – then jockeyed my way near the 4 hour pace group.
- Whole lotta runners. More than 18,000 participating in either the half or full marathon events.
- Marathon was rolling hills from mile 9 thru mile 19. Yep, 10 miles of gradual UP.
- Austin only provides marathon ‘Finisher’ tees, so picked up a local Longhorns tee for race day. By mile 9, my new cotton tee was soaked. Let the chaffing begin – that’s all I’m gonna say here but ouch, live & learn. Cotton never again plus wearing strategically placed Band-Aids in every marathon going forward.
Assume it was the humidity but whatever the excuse, today just wasn’t my best. Felt tired, struggled for motivation & was passed by my pace team a few miles past Lady Bird Lake. And because of super tight security, had no one encouraging me at mile 19, 20 or 21 (aka – Runner’s Wall). Just me this day. Tough one.
As the race day drug on, felt more & more like a fraud in that Longhorns tee. Whatever, I’ll take it 🙂
- “The eyes of Texas are upon you, son”
- “Hook ‘em Horns”
- “Run Forrest Run” (not sure he was from Texas)
Race ended up a hill. Ugly day but I collected my official Finisher tee.
Only 46 states to go. Next month – Atlanta!
Place Name City State Time
1686 K R Haga Louisville CO 4:27.41
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- Austin Marathon FINISHER!
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- Texas State Capitol
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- heavy fog, crazy humid race day
