Race Report Peachtree Road Race

I really went into this race without any real expectations. Between recovering from my knee injury and the new course, I didnt know what to expect.

Yesterday, after work, we hit the expo, hoping to find some good bargains. I was really disappointed. I didnt find anything I was looking for, Cathy, on the other hand, found her socks she was looking for at a good price, plus a new pair of shorts.

For dinner last night, we had the usual pre-race pasta. I got to bed about 10:30. I had to be up at 4AM for the race.

I awoke at 4AM, took a quick shower, used the potty, then had a cliff bar. I also took my usual immodium, and some alieve for my nagging shoulder pain (i think I put too much pressure on it when I sleep). I grabbed my stuff and headed out the door at about 4:40. I had a 20 min drive to meet up with the ladies from my running group I'd be riding with. We headed out in one van at about 5:15/5:20ish. We were going to park by the finish and ride the marta back to the start. When we got into downtown, we got lost at first and got back on the highway and had to go back north one exit. We finally found parking after asking some officers manning a roadblock. By the time we parked and headed out, we were at the marta station around 6:45. When we finally caught a train at 7AM, I knew it was going to be really close to the start when we got off the train in Buckhead. While on the train, I ate my shot blocks and drank a bottle of water.

It was 7:20 when we got off the train in Buckhead. I pushed my way out the marta station, and then sprinted down peachtree. I got to the start at 7:27, 3 minutes before the official start. This kinda worked out as a good little warmup for me.

For the first mile, it was crowded as usual. I tried my best to stay as far left as I could as I tried to pass the slower folks. As I was passing all those waiting on the side of the road to jump in, I saw Nat waiting. I yelled "Is that Nat? Hey its Kevin". I dont know if she even realized who I was when I passed by, but she did at least see me.I was aiming to be at about 8:30/mile for the first 3. The first couple of miles were great. I was on pace to hit a PR, though not likely go under 50 with the impending hills. I finished the first 3 in 24:45 (8:23,8:09,8:13). Then it all went to crap. At about 3.5 miles my stomach started cramping. I tried to walk it off and drink some water, but that only seemed to make it worse. When I ran, the bouncing up and down made me nauseous. I tried to run at an easy pace and walk the water stop. I tried to pick it back up at 4.5 miles, but still didnt feel right. (Mile 4-10:10 Mile 5-11:45)Finally after 5 miles I was able to pick it back up. I finished mile 6 in 8:55. The last half mile was tough. It was all uphill. After I had passed the photographers I actually had to take a quick walk break at like 6.1 miles. I saw the clock and sprinted in trying to beat the one hour mark for the race clock. I crossed the finish line at 1:00:08 official time, 57:49 Garmin/Chip time. I stopped and said hello to my NAMSC Tri club peeps and then met the ladies to head home.

I have a feeling that my nausea may have been caused by the alieve. I took immodium before many a training run as well as the recent sprint tri. There was nothing out of the usual in my diet. I have taken cliff bars before races and have used shot blocks mid run. Because the cramping/nausea was in my stomach, it had to be something that morning, and not from the night before. The good news was my legs felt great. If my stomach hadnt stopped me, I may have PRd. Also, it was really stinkin humid out there today (85%). I was drenched way before the race was over. Based on the time for my first three miles, I think I want to find an easy 5K to run, since I should easily be able to beat my previous 23:33 PR running a 5K and holding nothing back. Now my focus turns completely to triathlon. I have Chattanooga next week, and then its just under 3 months till my 70.3.

Tomorrow Im up early for about a 10-12 miler depending how my legs feel. Then sunday I have a long ride planned with a whole bunch of Tri Peeps Including Wes up in Cartersville at the Bud Plant.

Hope everyone had a happy 4th.