Literally.
I spent a good 9-10 miles of my 13.1 thinking about lunch. My inner fat kid knows no bounds. Plus it entertained me while I struggled ran.
Once I remembered I had a body warmer in my jacket which was making me want to pass out, the first 4-ish miles flew by. Somewhere between 4 and 6 I had to stop to tighten my laces and lost my 1:45 pace group (not too devastating – 1:45 was a bit ambitions). Stopping apparently caused me to miss the 5 mile marker, so I was pleasantly surprised by mile 6. Things were still ok until about mile 8. My legs were cramping and I had to stop for 30 seconds and stretch. After that it got hard - not a shock since I really only trained for up to 8.
Seeing my Aunt Teresa somewhere near mile 9 was a huge pick-me-up (thanks Teresa!), and I got another push around 10 when the 1:50 pace group caught me. I knew I didn’t want to finish far behind them so I ignored my screaming legs and cranked out the last 3 to finish with them.
HUGE thanks to the Atlanta Track Club for organizing the event and providing pace teams!
Official time: 1:49:52. PR! I looked back at my 2009 Half time – it was 2:17:12! HUGE improvement in 2 years!
My younger cousin Molly also ran and finished seconds ahead of me. Congrats to Molly!!
My mom and sisters were there at the finish line with lots of hugs. It was really great to have a support group after a hard-fought race.
More to come about the fantastic Turkey Day eats (see little taste below), but for now I’m off to the grocery store. It shouldn’t be crowded… everyone is stuffed and at Wal-Mart… right?
***
I’m participating in this month’s YBR with Spicie Foodie. Click here if you’d like to join up too!
How did your races go?
Did anyone brave the Black Friday crowds?
38 comments
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Greg
November 25, 2011 at 12:49 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Wow, that’s awesome. What an improvement in two years. Boston next stop?
Laura
November 28, 2011 at 2:59 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Hahahaha! No full marathons for me. At least not yet.
Hayley @ Oat Couture
November 25, 2011 at 12:56 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
That time is fanf£$%ingtastic!! You killed it! Well done love!
Allie
November 25, 2011 at 4:31 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I have a running calendar and I saw that the Atlanta half was on Thanksgiving and I was like woah, my blogging friend is running that! AWESOME
Mary
November 25, 2011 at 8:45 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Congrats on the race, that’s an awesome time! I ran the half too & also found mile 8 to be the point where things started to get crappy. Damn hills.
Laura
November 28, 2011 at 3:00 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Thanks! 8 miles seems to be the “pain” point for a lot of people. Maybe that’s when you realize you’ve been running a really long time.
Professor Vegetable
November 26, 2011 at 1:17 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I braved the crowds a little on Friday around 7pm. They weren’t bad. I felt bad because the mall had been open since midnight.
I really enjoy seeing that picture of pannettone. I totally spelled that wrong. I love that stuff!!!
Amalia
November 26, 2011 at 2:07 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Wow, congratulations! That’s a huge time improvement over 2 years, great job! My goal is to run a half marathon too, one day in the future, I got a long ways to go, but this is really inspiring! Thanks for sharing
Laura
November 28, 2011 at 3:01 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Thank you!! I find the best way to accomplish distance goals is to just go ahead and register for the race.
Lee
November 26, 2011 at 5:26 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Great job on the race. I pretty much always think of food when I’m running!
Matt @ The Athlete's Plate
November 26, 2011 at 6:21 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Congrats on the PR
Marian
November 26, 2011 at 12:49 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Wow! You and your family all seem so athletic! I give huge props to runners. I tried running and my body actually won’t let me run! I get injury after injury, maybe too many softball injuries in the past I have to thank for that:) anyway, awesome job!
Laura
November 28, 2011 at 3:08 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
We are really more divided between the “artsy” and the “athletes.”
I feel you on the softball injuries. It took my a long time to be able to build mileage thanks to a broken knee from ball.
Kiri W.
November 26, 2011 at 12:59 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Wow, congrats on the PR! Very, very impressive
Mary @ Bites and Bliss
November 26, 2011 at 5:33 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I do that all the time during my runs and workouts! haha
Most of out stores opened late Thursday night so most of the shoppers were gone by the time we went out later Friday morning. The majority of sales were still going on without all the lines!
Laura
November 28, 2011 at 3:09 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Smart – I did the same thing. Crazy people at midnight!
A Brown Table
November 26, 2011 at 10:37 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Congratulations to you and your family on the race. Hope y’all had a great Thanksgiving.
Errign
November 27, 2011 at 2:01 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
My inner fat kid never ceases to amaze me.
Laura
November 28, 2011 at 3:10 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Quote of the day!
Tina @ Best Body Fitness
November 27, 2011 at 2:18 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
that’s how I felt in Saturday’s race. HARD and PAINFUL! You did awesome and talk about a PR. Woah, girl! So proud of you.
Laura
November 28, 2011 at 3:11 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Thank you!!! I’m totally impressed by your time on the hilly course!
Corey @ Learning Patience
November 27, 2011 at 3:35 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Great race time…um…better than great – pretty awesome! Good for you girl!
xoxo from Trinidad
Jenn @ Peas and Crayons
November 27, 2011 at 4:31 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Honey if your foodie butt WASNT thinking about lunch then I would claim you’re a. not human and b. that I don’t know you like I thought I did =) haha! Rock on girly!!!! you’re my running hero! Wish we were neighbors so you could drag me along for races! <3
ooh ps; I cant seem to find you on pinterest? am I already following you? send me your page woman! <3
Laura
November 28, 2011 at 3:12 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I wish we were neighbors too! By the end of our runs we’d have gourmet feasts planned. Maybe we could just run to Whole Foods?!
Saw you found me – yay!
Kelly @ Inspired Edibles
November 27, 2011 at 4:40 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Wow, what an accomplishment! Congratulations fit girl! (I didn’t know you had any inner fat ;0)
Allison @ PickyEatingRD
November 27, 2011 at 7:35 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Great job on the race and congrats on the PR! I think food is all anyone would be thinking about!
Kiah
November 27, 2011 at 8:38 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
That is an INSANE improvement! Congrats, girl! I just ran my first half in a bit under 2, and can’t wait to try again. I’ve go a 5k coming up this weekend, which feels pretty darn nice in comparison to 13.1 miles
Laura
November 28, 2011 at 3:20 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I can’t believe you’re doing a 5K one week later! I’m taking a little break from running. Congrats on the sub-2 hours race!!!
STUFT Mama
November 28, 2011 at 2:43 AM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Congrats on your race Laura! And your PR! yay!!!!! You did awesome! I hope you’re celebrating! I always think about food when I’m racing too. ha ha! Something to look forward to right?
Laura
November 28, 2011 at 3:21 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Thank you!! I’m so glad to know I’m not along out there fantasizing about food while racing.
teresa
November 28, 2011 at 12:28 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Awesome day. Sorry you opted out on the run to Hartwell. It was awesome to be there for your start and “almost” finish. (We made it to the bridge)
Molly was super pleased with her perfromance. She’s planning the albany marathon in the spring.
I love you — Aunt Teresa
Laura
November 28, 2011 at 3:21 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Thanks for cheering!!! xoxo
sportsglutton
November 28, 2011 at 3:17 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Congratulations on the improved race time! Always such a good feeling.
Electra @ Vanilla Bean Lean
November 30, 2011 at 2:46 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Congratulations on your PR!!! You ROCK!!!!
Laura
November 30, 2011 at 3:45 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Thank you! I’m hoping for a sub-1:45 next time.
Electra @ Vanilla Bean Lean
November 30, 2011 at 4:08 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
If you can go from 2:17 to 1:49 you can CERTAINLY break the 1:45 my friend!!
Maggie @ kitchie coo
December 5, 2011 at 3:12 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Nice job on the 1/2! You’re a very speedy runner! What a fun thing to do on Thanksgiving and not have to feel guilty in the least bit about eating your face off later.
Laura
December 5, 2011 at 10:30 PM (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Thank you! That is exactly what I was repeating to myself for the last 5 miles.
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