Chick-fil-A Connect Half Marathon

I was really excited to run the Chick-fil-a Connect Half Marathon in Athens, Georgia. I had already run one half marathon in January so I knew I could do it.  That first was preceded by lots of anxiety and worry, so I was looking forward to just enjoying this one!

I drove up to Athens the afternoon before the race to attend the expo to pick up my packet.  I had never really been to a race expo before so I was excited about that.  However, I was disappointed to find just a handful of vendors. I decided to use my extra time to drive the race route so I would know what to expect... wow! Look at all those hills!

That night, I stayed with family in Toccoa so I would have a short drive of about 30 minutes in the morning.  Right before sunrise I met up with my Moms Run This Town buddies from back home. Now I was really getting excited!

McDonough/Stockbridge MRTT

Before I knew it we were off! A little crowded in the streets of downtown Athens, I heard someone holler out, " I love your skirt!"  This was my first time racing in a Sparkle Skirt and was thrilled to have everything I could possibly need packed into my pockets.  I am still a little self conscious so I chose to wear capris underneath.

I have to say that I absolutely loved this course- we started downtown, ran along the river, on to the University of Georgia campus and alongside the famous Sanford Stadium, and through some beautiful neighborhoods just as spring was unfurling it's beautiful blossoms and flowers then ending back downtown.  Although I loved the view this route gave, it was certainly challenging for a newbie runner like me.  My BRF and I had trained on hills, but these hills were no joke.  I also quickly realized that our pre-dawn runs throughout February and March did little to prepare me for the April sunshine which felt like it was baking me in it's rays! I was so grateful for the shade of the neighborhoods in the later miles. But, to make it to the finish we had to climb back uphill to the downtown area.  At one point I ran backwards up the hill just to give my legs a break- ha ha!

What is this hot, bright stuff touching my skin?  I'm used to running in the dark!

As I neared the finish chute I kicked into gear and started picking off a few people to pass as I gathered the last bit of energy I had. I was surprised to turn the corner and to run... inside!  It was dark and it took a few moments for my eyes to adjust after being in the bright sunshine outside. I also had to quickly put on the breaks so I wouldn't crash into a group of ladies who had stopped in front of me.

As I gasped for breath and to make sense of my surroundings I was handed my medal and ushered down the chute where there was water, gatorade, chicken sandwiches, fruit, etc.  I was really glad for my skirt pockets now. I knew I would probably want some of this stuff... later!  As I was about to leave the finisher's area I realized I didn't have my medal and was in a panic.  Thankfully, one of the volunteers took pity on me and gave me another one.  This was my first official finisher's medal (my first half was free and didn't give out medals) and I couldn't afford to lose it before I left the race!

We feel "official" now that we have a medal around our necks!

It felt like a sauna in this large convention hall where we had finished, but we had conquered the hills of Athens and earned our Chick-fil-a, so were happy!