I met up with Natalie and started close to the front. First few miles were a little fast (7:50), but it was mostly downhill. My HR was about 10 beats higher than I would have thought. I was in zone 3 even though we were going downhill. Steph was manning the second water stop and we waved as we wizzed by. We started the climb at about 5 miles up to Peachtree and this was tougher than I thought it would be. It had a couple of steep spots, but it was mostly a long steady climb. We got to the top and hung a right on Peachtree. Natalie's family was on the corner. We settled in at about 8 min miles for the out and back and everything felt great. We hit the 13.1 mile mark at 1:45. By this point Natalie was looking rough and it was tough to keep her on pace. She stopped to use the bathroom and I continued. I really didn't think I would see her again after that. I continued down Peachtree and started feeling some knee pain and noticed I had two lovely blood stains on my shirt from my nipples. I haven't had knee pain in a while so it was kind of a shock. I figured it would go a way and I kept on. Natalie blasted by me at 19 or 20 miles looking great! She had definately caught her second wind. I could tell I was getting tired at this point and figured the hill climb would be interesting. I started up and quickly hit the wall. I was struggling to hold 10 min miles. I kept plodding along and by about 22 I knew I was toast. My legs were cramping and I had lost my will to fight. I gave in to the monkeys that were chatting in my ear and slowed up even more. I coasted (hobbled) in. I saw some Steph, Nat,Ron, and Anne cheering me in. It was great to see them still waiting around.

I just found out Natalie won her age group! Very nice...

I ran too fast in the beginning and didn't save enough for the hills at the end. Maybe bring some electrolytes. Maybe my head cold sapped my energy. I felt like if the last 6 miles were pancake flat I would have been able to hold 9 min miles, but they weren't and the hills killed me. Maybe more hill training.

I still think the marathon is the best running event. It tests me mentally and physically like no other race. This one beat me and I'll have to chew on that for the next few months until ING. Hopefully it will motivate me to train harder and smarter.

Started shivering and cramping


training and execution.


This is a very well run race. The folks at ATC are pros at putting on events and it shows. I wish they would partner up with ING and show ING how to do it.