It was a humid sleepy morning when my running partner Jackie and I wandered down the dark streets of Atlanta to the simple staging for the ATL 20k and relay.
This weekend was bittersweet, I had wanted to be in Disney for the Dumbo Double Dare - but it had sold out before I was able to register.
It was my 40th birthday celebration and the ATL seemed like the place to go... The race was 4 5K laps, and there was no timing mat at the start or on each lap. As we continued, we saw many runners with 20K bibs drop a lap - there was no confirmation that you actually ran 4, and in the scorching sun, I understood the decision. I was not comfortable with cutting the race short - but took a different unplanned stop for refreshment.
This weekend was bittersweet, I had wanted to be in Disney for the Dumbo Double Dare - but it had sold out before I was able to register.
It was my 40th birthday celebration and the ATL seemed like the place to go... The race was 4 5K laps, and there was no timing mat at the start or on each lap. As we continued, we saw many runners with 20K bibs drop a lap - there was no confirmation that you actually ran 4, and in the scorching sun, I understood the decision. I was not comfortable with cutting the race short - but took a different unplanned stop for refreshment.
Among the many events converging in Atlanta this weekend was the Alabama Crimson Tide and Virginia Tech Hokies game at the Georgia Dome.
Throughout the race I had been watching the tailgates and tents pop up all around us, and as the sun beat down and I approached mile 11, I made the decision to run across three lanes, up a hill, and shotgun a PBR with some Crimson Tide fans. It was... magical and gave me the spring in my step I was needing!
Throughout the race I had been watching the tailgates and tents pop up all around us, and as the sun beat down and I approached mile 11, I made the decision to run across three lanes, up a hill, and shotgun a PBR with some Crimson Tide fans. It was... magical and gave me the spring in my step I was needing!
The medals were substantial - and the race directors were very friendly.
We were directed to a VIP area for 20K finishers only, although we noticed that no one was monitoring this, and there were many relay members and 10K runners enjoying the vegetables, snacks, and beer. Because there were many that had not actually finished the 20K, we had been towards the back of the pack, and many of the amenities were taken by those who finished earlier.
All in all it was a nice race - with a little more organization it could be a great one.
The highlight of the weekend was the sights as we wandered the city streets that afternoon. Dragoncon was in town, and since I cannot accurately describe the barrage of characters that we saw, I will let the pictures below speak for me.
We were directed to a VIP area for 20K finishers only, although we noticed that no one was monitoring this, and there were many relay members and 10K runners enjoying the vegetables, snacks, and beer. Because there were many that had not actually finished the 20K, we had been towards the back of the pack, and many of the amenities were taken by those who finished earlier.
All in all it was a nice race - with a little more organization it could be a great one.
The highlight of the weekend was the sights as we wandered the city streets that afternoon. Dragoncon was in town, and since I cannot accurately describe the barrage of characters that we saw, I will let the pictures below speak for me.