Race For The Fallen Half Marathon

Like a compulsive shopper I had the urge to sign up for a race on Wednesday. Honestly, I needed a good race. Last week's training run was great but the last six runs...not so much. I've actually been tossing around the idea of dropping the upcoming marathon  because the runs have been so miserable. Its boggled me actually. Not only have I ran a marathon successfully but I've been busting my tale in the gym. Its been a hard thing to swallow when you work so hard for something and it just doesn't come together.

AngryJogger pretty much nailed it in his post this weekend, he said "I’ve learned that as runners we aren’t defined by our best weeks, but by our worst ones and how we react to adversity. It’s easy to give in and accept that your week or month is finished, but it doesn’t have to be that way."  He couldn't have said it better and that's exactly what I have been battling the past few weeks.

So I wanted needed a good, fun half marathon. I wanted to get psyched up, blare my ipod and just follow some arrows and zone out. (something you cant do when you're running the streets of Atlanta). So Thursday morning I signed up for the Race for the Fallen for Saturday. I didn't look up the elevation  chart, I paid a ton extra because it was two days before the race and I didn't even check the weather. I just didn't care. I was going to go out listen to some music and just do my thing.

Race morning I found the most comfortable (and ugliest) running shirt I own. I packed my fuel belt and was ready to go. The Champ and the mutt joined me. We never went to Red Top Mountain so I was pretty excited to test out their trails. We arrived really early (its just our thing for races). It was rather cute they had glow sticks lining the trail for you to get from your car to the registration. Don't know why but glow sticks make me happy :)

The race  wasn't that big maybe a 150 people? I stayed in the back of the pack because as you know I can't stand when I hear "runner to your left" when I'm half way off the trail. Anyway, I got a little intimidated when I realized I really placed myself in the back and saw everyone running off. But that little feeling went away once I turned up the ipod.

I was told the trails weren't technical but were more challenging in the beginning so I really tried to pace myself. I walked up every single hill but man I flew down them. Because it wasn't technical I wasn't scared of tripping over roots or rocks. It was awesome I kinda felt like a kid.

After about two miles one by one I started passing people. In my head I started counting them out. I've never done that. Then again I've never really passed anyone before. By mile 5 I was all by my lonesome. I must have the most awkward pace because I seem to run solo more often then not in just about every race.

I didn't mind one bit. One of my new favorite songs came on by TNIGHT, GOOOOO and yeah I totally was popping my shoulder and throwing my hands in the air. Anytime I hear it I have the urge to be in the middle of a totally crowded dance floor with laser and strobe lights everywhere and just getting really weird with it. Pandora did me right that morning.


Onto the race, the course was gorgeous. There were gorgeous lake, and lovely green pastures.

The course support rocked. They had 5 aide stations and little Hors d'oeuvres i.e. fruit with tooth picks waiting to be picked. Just like with my last distance race it rained luckily it didn't pour and the trees served as a mediocre umbrella so that was a relief!

Around mile 9 I started passing people again.

I slowly started counting.

Before I knew it the race was over. I felt awesome. I wasn't tired and my time wasn't to bad for a trail race. (2.41)

Right after I finished I went to check out the vendors set up. I love local races they always have sponsors like Papa Johns and I totally grub out. After I grabbed my pizza we left. I mean I ran, all was good. It wasn't till a few hours later that I saw my race results. I placed THIRD for my age group. Whoop, whoop for the new age group!

Apparently if I stayed I would have gotten an award. I wont lie I would have been thrilled with a paper certificate :) but it feel good just to know I placed!

*Update they are going to mail me a medal for placing third!!!! Happy dance!*

I would totally do this race again. It was so my kind of trail race, it was small, and well set up. It was just fun. Oh, and I didn't crash! Holla!

Here was my race menu for that morning:
Soon as I woke up
1 salt stick
2 ibuprofen
small bagel with cream cheese and butter
I brought 16 oz of lemon lime nuun with me and sipped on it throughout the entire race.
(I drank it all by mile 10)
I took a Gu at mile 4 and mile 8
I drank half a cup of water at each of the water stations except the last I drank two full cups
I also grabbed an orange slice at each aide station (just because they sounded good)

I felt great afterwards. No aches no pains, I wasn't really hungry nor was I tired. It was just what I needed.

It was the perfect Saturday morning and exactly what I needed to remember why I run.

What did you do this weekend?