2015 GA Publix Half Recap - It finally happened...

So yesterday was the GA Publix Half Marathon, the weather was perfect minus the crazy wind at times which made things seem colder.

Flat Ramona ready to run the hills of Atlanta

I was anxious to get started or maybe I was just ready to start moving to get warm. Either way, I was ready. Even though the course is a challenge, it is still one of my favorites courses out there. A lot of it may have to do with the scenery and the spectators that come out and cheer us all on.

Before the race I met up with some fellow INKnBURN people for a group photo before heading to our corrals. 

The race started on time. Since I was in B, it didn't seem to take long before we were at the start line waiting for our start.

And we're off...

The first half of the race seemed to go by quickly for me. I was feeling great. My legs were happy (which is a plus seeing how I don't run a lot of hills in training).

The second half of the race I knew was going to be a challenge. The hill coming out of Piedmont Park is always a struggle as well as the last hill over by GT.

The last 3 miles of the race turned into a mental game for me. I knew what to expect. I knew to stay on track for a PR; I needed to time my short walk breaks and push through the tough hills.

Soon we were at Georgia Tech. I hate the hills over there. The very last big hill we have is about as bad as the 10th Street hill, if not worse.

I pushed myself up that hill. And now for the home stretch. Longest mile ever. I knew I needed to hold on. I kept telling myself I was only out for a quick run.

Finally, I see the brown building. I knew I was almost there. I kept looking at my watch. I was close oh so very close. I heard the announcer saying you have 20 seconds to sub-2 to the people already sprinting in. 

I turn the corner. I look up and see the clock 2:00:42. I take off. Where that energy from, I have no idea but I just I knew that I had PR'd, but I also knew I had just done something I said I couldn't do on that course. I finally did a sub-2 half marathon!!!

Celebrating as I make my way to finish line!

Official time: 1:57:42

2015 GA Publix Half Recap

Second half marathon of 2015. I've been excited about this since registration in 2014.

Flat Ramona ready for the Publix Half.

They started predicting rain a few days before the race. I was hoping it wouldn't do anything until after, but, unfortunately, Mother Nature had other plans.

I got to the race 45 minutes before the start. Spent that time getting my headphones, phone, and gels ready to put in my FlipBelt.

A friend found me about 15 minutes before the started and handed me a trash bag to use while waiting in my corral. Thank goodness for that. Kept me dry until it was time to start.

Even though I am not a fan of running in the rain, it felt fantastic out there. The first half of the race went by pretty quick. It wasn't  raining so that helped. I did have to keep my eye on the puddles in Atlanta since I didn't want to get my feet drenched before I was even half-way through.

The crowd support was incredible despite the weather. So thankful for that.

Before I knew it, I was more than half way. The rain started to pick up a little bit around Piedmont Park but wasn't enough to slow me down. I kept gone going.

Between GT and Centennial Park, I was getting tired. I knew I wasn't going to PR. So I told my myself to push for a course PR. I did just that. I finished with a time of 2:05. Course PR. Last year's time was 2:09.

June

Where did this month go? It just seems like yesterday it was June 1st. Holy cow.

In 4 days, I will be running down Peachtree with 59,999 over runners. I can't wait. But am I ready? I sure hope so. I haven't trained like I normally do for this race. I have been doing little to no miles during the week and long runs on the weekend. I don't even need to do the long runs, but I want to keep my fitness up there so I can sign up and run a half marathon at any time. Makes sense, right?

Whether I am ready or not, I know I will have a blast running the Peachtree Road Race. I am also excited to see my Mom finish her 10th one. Crazy to think she started this a year after I did. She loves it though, and I am happy to see her doing it. Walking or running, she is out there getting exercise and having fun.

Tomorrow, my GA Publix recap goes live. I will be working on finishing up the Princess recap as soon as I can. I know, I know, a few months late. I promise I will get it up. It may be a bunch of pictures, but it's better than nothing, right?

Behind

I've been so busy that I am behind on recaps. Finally published last year's Peachtree Road Race recap. Up next will be the Enchanted 10K, Princess Half, and then the GA Publix Half.

I am hoping that this week will slow down some that I can work on each of those recaps. Stay tuned because I am sure the Disney recaps will be picture overload. :)

Hope everyone had a great Easter.

Races

What races do you have planned right now for 2015?

I'm currently registered for the Glass Slipper Challenge and the GA Publix Half. I am looking at doing the Chattahoochee Challenge 10K and the AJC Peachtree Road Race 10K. Like I mentioned in my previous post I am not going to be racing as much.

2014 Publix GA Half Marathon Recap

I've been a little slow at writing recaps and I apologize. I still need to publish my recap from the 10K I did in February. Hopefully, I will get that up sometime in the near future.

Here is my recap from the half marathon I did on March 23rd, 2014.

A few days after finishing my first half I decided I would take the challenge and sign up for the Publix Half. I knew going into this that I was going to be facing a challenge....HILLS. I am not really a fan of hills. Heck, I don't think anyone really is, but I decided I was going to do my best and most of all...have fun.

After staying close to the race site for the Allstate 13.1, Jen, Brandi, and I decided we were going to stay as close as we could for this half marathon. Jen made reservations as the Doubletree Hilton. It was literally a block or two away from Centennial Park,which is where the start of the race took place.

Fast forward a few months and here we are at race weekend.

Saturday March 22nd, I met up with Jen to head on down to the expo to pick up our race numbers/shirts and to do a little shopping before heading to the hotel to check in. We also had made plans to go to Max's Pizza for a little carb loading with some friends of ours (Angela and her husband, Matthew, Jill and her husband, Matt and their daughter, Abigail, Brandi, Jason, and Katie). Had the best pizza and garlic knots. Seriously, think I will be going here again next year.

Lovely view from Centennial Park

After dinner we went back to Angela and Matthew's hotel to hang out at the SkyLounge before heading back to ours to call it a night.

View of the Atlanta skyline from SkyLounge

Before I knew it was time to leave, but we would be seeing each other the next day after the race for some brunch.

Since we didn't have far to go, I set my alarm for 5:20. Like always I couldn't sleep the night before the race. I am so anxious to get out there and go.

Alarm went off at 5:20.

It was time to get up and get ready.

All week we had been hearing about the threat of rain so of course we check the weather when we woke up to see what was going. Luckily, it wasn't raining and was going to hold off until after we were done.

At 6:20, we left the hotel. It was nice not having to take Marta down before the race.

Got to the park. I took my energybits, and ate some of my protein bar before going to gear check. After gear check, I said my goodbyes to Brandi and Jen before heading to my corral (G) to get ready for the start of the Publix Half.

A good thing about staying close to the race we were able to walk down 40 minutes before the start of the race. By the time I found and got in my corral we only had 10 minutes before the race started.

As I was making my way to the start line I kept telling myself to take it easy on the hills and I will do just fine.

....I did just that.

I really don't remember too much about the race. I remember getting to mile 6-7 and then 9. Most of the race I was in the zone and just don't remember passing a lot of the sites. I guess that's a good thing?

Soon I was passing over the "fake finish line" and making my way back to the park.

I was feeling amazing. I definitely felt better than I did after my first half. My legs were happy.

I crossed the finish line with an official time of 2:09:06. Not my fastest, but I wasn't trying to do that. I wanted to have fun and I did.

Earned my bling!!!

Half Marathon Training: Week 12

Can't believe race week is here!


Sunday- Didn't really do anything except for my 30 day ab challenge work out. Lazy rainy day.


Monday - A little core work from the 30 day ab challenge


Tuesday - 3 mile run with the group run. It was a muddy run so I took it easy so I didn't hurt myself.


Wednesday - Rest day.


Thursday - Last training run before Sunday. :) Easy 2 mile run.


Friday - Rest


Saturday - Rest/Expo day. 2nd Half Marathon on Sunday!!! :)

Half Marathon Training: Week 11

Last real week of training. So ready to kick this weeks butt! :)

Sunday- Another beautiful day out so I went for a 2 mile run to make up for not running it on Thursday. :)


Monday - Thirty minute hardcore core work out. My abs were on fire during this.


Tuesday - Group run day. Easy 2 mile run in the AM and 3 mile run at the group run.


Wednesday - Total body work out.


Thursday - No run. Just did a little ab work out.


Friday - Work a Saturday shift so I did my 10 mile run. It was a tough one but I got it done.


Saturday - Rest Day

Half Marathon Training: Week 10

Sunday- Quick 5K run in the neighborhood. It felt amazing out.


Monday - Started week 2 of Recreating You. Today was a lot easier than last week. Thank goodness.


Tuesday - Quick 2 mile run before doing my other work out. My 2 mile run was awesome. I find its easier if I get a run in before I do some sort of cross training work out.

Recreating You work out was a lot easier for me today than last week. I still hated doing the 300 jumping jacks though.

Went to run group in the evening for a 3 mile run.

Wednesday - Started off with the 10 minute solution ultimate boot camp -six pack attack. Great 10 minute core work out. Afterwards I did the Recreating You work out. Great double day work out.

In the evening, I decided I would go for a 3 mile run since the weather for Thursday didn't look too pretty. Cold and rain equal not a good combo.

Thursday - I wanted to go for a 2 mile run, but it was crazy windy out so I decided I would just do my work out and call it a day.

Friday - Woke up not feeling well. So I decided I would do a little core work.


Saturday - Amazing 9 mile run at the park. So glad I got out there. :)

Half Marathon Training: Week 9

Week 9 is complete. Hard to believe I have 3 weeks until the Publix Half. CRAZY!!!


Sunday- Today marks one month until the Publix Half. I was scheduled to run 9 but honestly didn't have that in me. So I decided I would do 6.5 hilly miles.


Monday - T25 Beta Dynamic Core....killer. On Sunday, my best friend sent me a work out program that she was going to start so to help keep her motivated (even states away) I decided I would also do it. Tons of leg stuff along with another round of core stuff. I love switching things up a bit. Pushing my body to do something it isn't use to doing.

Tuesday - Even though I woke up with a headache, I got up and got my work out in. Day 2 of helping my friend stay motivated. :) Woke up a little sore this morning in areas that obviously haven't gotten a good work out in a while.

After the killer work out, I went for an easy 2 mile run.

Wednesday - I feel like a slacker. :( I was suppose to do 3 miles last night at my group run, but I ended up staying home due to a migraine. I woke up with it this morning as well. Sucks when it doesn't go away. Anyways, headache or not I got up and did day 3 of the Recreating You work out that my best friend and I are doing together. I am really starting to hate squats, lol. If the weather changes (its kind of rainy out right now) I may try and get that 3 mile run in today. It will also depend on if my head is done pounding.

Thursday - Woke up this morning feeling refreshed. I didn't waste any time getting up and getting my work out over with. I decided I would start off with day 4 of Recreating You just to get that over with. After finishing that I put on my winter running clothes and took off to run 5 miles in the neighborhood. I have to say that had to be most boring run. I felt like it was taking forever. Probably didn't help that my legs are still a little sore from doing the squats the other day. I wanted to quit about halfway through but I knew that wasn't an option.

Friday - Last day of the week doing the Recreating You work out. :)


Saturday - Stretched some after working. Also registered for my 10th Peachtree Road Race!! :)

Half Marathon Training: Week 8

Sunday- 8 mile run on the Big Creek Greenway out in Cumming, GA. Decided to run somewhere different so I don't get sick of the same ole stuff.


Monday - Did a little weight lifting at the house. Nothing too crazy. My body was still tired from running 8 miles the day before.


Tuesday - Ran 5.2 miles on the greenway that I normally run on with the Suwanee Big Peach group. Half through the run I was wish I had worn a tank top. It got hot quick.


Wednesday - Waited until the evening to get my work out in, but it doesn't matter when I do it as long as I get it done, right? T25 Upper Focus. It was just what I needed. I can also tell I am going to need to up the weight next time I do it. :)


Thursday -I guess its that time in my training that I start to lose all motivation to get out and run. I am 4 weeks away from the GA Publix Half and now I am not wanting to run. I have 3 more long weekend runs, so if I have to miss one..I am not going to beat myself up over it. Anyways, instead of 4.5 miles, I only ran 2 slow miles.


Friday - Helped a friend move after work so I guess you can say I got my work out in helping move boxes and furniture.


Saturday - Nothing. Decided I would push my run to Sunday.

Half Marathon Training: Week 7

Week 7 was a good week even if I wasn't able to get my Thursday run in due to the weather. Hopefully no more snow for the rest of my training!! :)


Sunday-Rest day after 10K the previous day.


Monday - Since the weatherman said we would be having some snow/ice, I decided it would be best for me to get my 4.5 mile run in. I decided I would just run the miles in my neighborhood. I had a pretty run. My legs felt great.


Tuesday - I did a 20 minute weight lifting session at the house.


Wednesday - Day 2 of being snowed in. I turned on T25 and did a little of the Beta Speed 2.0. It was nice to do something that a bit more challenging.


Thursday - Day 3 of being snowed in. I am really getting cabin fever. Since I am not able to run due to the roads having snow and ice on them, I decided to do another weight lift session, but this time I did the T25 Upper Focus.


Friday - Rest day. A little sore from the upper body lifting I did the on Thursday.


Saturday - After being on my feet at work, I decided I would just run on Sunday.

Half Marathon Training: Week 6

Wow! I have six weeks left before my next half. Crazy crazy!!!


Sunday- I was suppose to run a 6 mile run but I ended up running 7. So glad I didn't stop running when I hit 6 miles. It would have been a long, slow walk back to the car. It felt great to get out there in this warm, sunny weather.Won't last long though since its going to be raining the rest of the week. Ugh!


Monday - Despite being a little sore from my run on Sunday, I got up and did T25 Cardio. It was a struggle to finish, but I did it.


Tuesday - I was suppose to go for a 4 mile run but only ended up doing 2 miles. The cold and wind wasn't helping. I did manage to run a fast 2 miles.


Wednesday - Core day! I got up and do some Ab intervals. Love feeling that burn.


Thursday - Today I decided I go to the park I trained a lot at in the fall for my first half. As much as I hate them, I knew I needed to get some sort of hill run in so off to the park I went. One loop round is 2.2 miles so I did one loop then turned around and went back the way I came. Gotta hit the hills two different ways.

Tomorrow I will do some T25 and then take it easy. I have a 10K on Saturday. Sort of hoping to PR on this course if all goes as planned.

Friday - I did some light weight lifting. Took it easy so I wouldn't be sore or tired for the race on Saturday.


Saturday - Got a PR on the Chattahoochee Challenge course! New time 51:31. Left leg was really tight during the race. It never wanted to loosen up. Right leg felt great though. Weird. I was so happy to foam roll when I got home.

Half Marathon Training: Week 5

Hard to believe I am almost half way through my training. :)

Sunday - Rest Day

Monday- Today I decided I would switch up my T25. I haven't been doing the double days on Friday. :( So since I was going to have to do Ab Intervals and Total Body Circuit on Friday, I decided I would do my Ab Intervals today and do the other on Friday.

Tuesday - Slow 4 mile run today in the neighborhood. I was kind of hoping for some snowflakes so I can say I have ran in the "snow".

I was suppose to do T25 today but decided I just needed a day off from it. I will get back into it tomorrow.

Wednesday - Snowed in...yay! Just because I can't go to work doesn't mean I can't work out. So I got up and got my work out in. I did my work out that I was suppose to do yesterday... Alpha Speed 1.0. Completely nailed the work out. :) I also walked a mile in the neighborhood. 

Thursday - Supposed to run 4 miles, but cut the run in half and only did 2 miles. Kind of nice to get out even if it was 18 degrees. I normally don't like running when its that cold, but I really couldn't tell it was that cold with the sun shining down on me.

Friday - No T25. I did something to my ankle on Wednesday and its still sore. Doesn't hurt just sore. Decided to take a rest day. Hoping to get a run in tomorrow after work.

Side note: 39 miles for January. Not too bad. I will have even more next month.

Saturday - I was going to run 6 miles after work, but I was exhausted from the last of sleep the night before that I decided to rest after work and run on Sunday.

Half Marathon Training: Week 4

I think I am finally in my groove right now for running. I just hope this continues all the way to week 12.


Sunday - It was suppose to be a rest day but I ended up spending a good chuck of the day cleaning the house.

Monday - Since its going to be cold the rest of the month, I decided I would get my run in today because the nasty cold sets in. I did 3.6 at a 8'59" pace. I felt sluggish the whole run. But I got it done.

After work I came home to get my Alpha Cardio in. I have to say I had more energy during that work out then I did during my run.

Tuesday - Alpha Total Body Circuit was on the agenda today. I wasn't in the mood to work out today for some reason. I did get it done though even if it took some convincing. I rewarded myself with a Cliff Builder Mint Chocolate protein bar afterwards. Yum! They taste just like a girl scout thin mint cookie. If you haven't tried one and you love thin mints, I highly recommend you go and get one.

Wednesday - Today was Alpha Speed 1.0. All I can say is I walked away knowing I gave it my all and I completely killed the work out. :)

Later on in the day I went for a 5 mile at a gym I use to go to. Run was great. :)

Thursday -  All I had today was T25 Alpha Cardio. Didn't do as well as I did on Monday. :( I was ready for the 25 minutes to be over with.

Friday - Got up and did the T25 Alpha Lower Focus. Ouch!! My lower half was screaming at me the entire time.

In the evening I got 3.5 miles done on the treadmill. I really wish it was cold AND windy. I would have rather been out. :(

Saturday - Since I did my long run on Wednesday, I am used today as a rest day. :)

Half Marathon Training: Week 3

Hard to believe I am already on my third week of training....


Sunday - I was wanting to go for a 4 mile run, but after 2.4 miles that I would cut it short. I am still suffering from a lingering cough. :( Felt amazing outside though.

Monday - Started T25 Alpha Cardio today. I found this program to work really well for me last time I was training for a half. I am hoping I get the same outcome this time around. Here's to 10 weeks of T25.

Tuesday - Woke up feeling a little sore from day 1 of T25. Not going to lie I seriously thought about skipping today. I had to tell myself the only way I am going to get over the soreness is to push through the pain. So, I did Alpaha Speed 1.0. I felt great during the work out until it came time to do the burn out. I felt like I was going to puke. Guess that means I was pushing myself, huh? Anyways, I got through it and finished.

In the afternoon, I went for a 3.5 mile run in the neighborhood. It felt amazing out. I honestly could have kept going but decided I would stop.

Wednesday - I just have to say I didn't miss the T25 Alpha Total Body Circuit. My poor glutes are definitely going to feel it for the next few days.

Thursday - Got an easy 3.5 mile run in on the treadmill today. I didn't feel like running in the cold today. After the run, I came home to do T25 Ab Intervals.

Friday - Instead of doing T25, I decided to lift some weights at home. Felt great to do something different.

Saturday - Since it was a bit chilly out and I just got over being sick, I decided I would run 5 miles in the gym. It was tough. I couldn't get my legs warmed up. I guess I really wanted to be outside instead of being stuck inside. :-\ I also dedicated my run to #megsmiles.



Week 3 of training is complete. :) Hope week 4 is amazing!!

Oh and be sure to come back to my blog tomorrow and check out The Color Run giveaway for a chance to win an entry into any race location (not sold out, of course).

Half Marathon Training: Week 2

Since I got sick last week my training was put on hold until Friday. I am feeling much better but still going to be taking it easy for the next few days just to make sure I am over this crap for good.

Sunday - Still not 100%. Decided I would try running later on in the week.

Monday - Felt a lot better but still had that lingering cough.

Tuesday - Rest

Wednesday - Rest

Thursday - Rest

Friday - Since I was feeling a lot better, I decided I was going to go to the gym to get 3 miles in on the treadmill. Did an easy run with an avg pace of 9'03". I felt fine during and afterwards.

Saturday - No run. Decided to push it until Sunday.


On to week 3....

Half Marathon Training: Week 1

Since I was on a mission to hit 600 miles before the end of 2013, I knew I needed to work on my mileage and quick. So for the last 2.5 weeks I have been working my butt off with running just so I could reach my goal. I finally did it on the 30th when I went for my last short run before the end of 2013. :)

Now that I had reached that goal, I could officially begin training for my second half marathon.

Sunday (12/29) - I got up and went on a 4 mile run on the treadmill. I don't really remember what the weather was like on this day, but I obviously had my reasons as to why I was running indoors instead of outside.

Monday (12/30) - Quick 2 mile run in the neighborhood to reach my 600 miles in 2013.

Tuesday - Off day since I was running a 5K on the New Years Day.

Wednesday - 5K run at the ATC Resolution Run. Placed 2nd in my age group with a time of 26:14. Not a bad way to start the new year.

Thursday - Rest day

Friday - I was going to go for a 3 or 4 mile run, but I woke up really sick so I had to cancel all plans and pray I would get over this crap fast.

Saturday - Still sick. Slept.... A LOT.

Publix Ga Half 2014

Well, I said I wasn't going to, but I ended up signing up for the Publix Ga Half Marathon which will take place March 23rd, 2014. :)

I guess in a month I will start back up with my training, but for now I am going to enjoy taking it easy for a little bit.

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