End-Of-Year Long Run Event Buzz

Yes I know... we are in the heat of the summer and perhaps the last thing on your mind is a long hot training run. However technically "training" for a half marathon in mid October, a 12-week training plan would begin next weekend. BUUUUTTT that training usually starts with something like 4-5 mile run...so don't sweat it. The purpose of this blog is to generate and continue the Fall 10 Miler or Half Marathon Buzz. Okay, let's go beyond Fall and just finish out 2016. Below I am listing and linking those 10 Milers and Half Marathons that you all have shared as well as some others in the mix.


September 10, 7:30am - Atlanta Craft Classic Half Marathon & 5k 
This is sponsored by Roadrunner Sports. Touting an Epic Craft Beer After Party.
SWAG: All participants will receive a commemorative pint glass, an official event shirt and a unique custom finisher medal. Runners 21+ will enjoy a free craft beer or 4 free tastings!
COURSE:  Start and finish in Grant Park
FEE: $85 if before 8/31/2016

September 10, 7:15am-7:35am - Run Like A Diva Half Marathon & 5k
This takes place in Peachtree City, Georgia. This is a series focused on women and glam.  
SWAG: Pink Tutu, Diva Medal, Boas & Tiaras, Champagne Toast, Womens Tech T-shirt, Personalized Bib.
COURSE (from the website): The course begins and ends at Shakerag Knoll at the McIntosh Trail Recreation Complex in the heart of Peachtree City.  The run will begin right in the park and head out onto the beautiful tree lined streets.  And did you know that Peachtree City is the Golf Cart Path capital of the world?  Now you do and you will get to experience some of those paths meandering through town.  This route has slight elevation but it is mostly flat and canopied.
FEE: $110 before 9/7/2016

October 2, 7:00am - Buford Highway International Half Marathon, 10k & 5k
The BuHi Half is a runner's delight and a foodie's friend! Don't miss the hottest new event of the Atlanta running year. Run, jog or stroll your way to the finish line where food samples from Buford highway kitchens await.
SWAG: T-shirt, Food tickets
COURSE: Out/Back each way from central location, Plaza Fiesta
FEE: $65 before 9/1. Two person relay = $100

October 9, 7:30am -Athens Half Marathon
Seventh running of this event, favorite of some BRFs. Boo! they moved this to Columbus Day holiday weekend.
COURSE: Begins near City Hall and winds it way through Athens highlights to complete a victory lap in Sanford Stadium.
SWAG: Medal, T-shirt
FEE: $70-80 before 9/18/2016

October 16, 7:30am - 4 Bridges Half Marathon in Chattanooga
Great feedback on this event which includes a full and half marathon that can be completed in relay teams.
SWAG: Medal and shirt
COURSE: The half marathon course (13.1 miles) will accompany the full marathon (26.2 miles) over three bridges, splitting off at the Chattanooga Food Bank on the Tennessee Riverwalk. While the half will return over the Walnut Street Bridge and finish in Coolidge Park, the full marathon will continue over three more bridges (the C.B. Robinson, Thrasher, and Riverpark Bridges, respectively) before returning downtown to cross Walnut for the Coolidge Park finish.
FEE: $90

October 23, 7:30am - ATC 10 Miler at Atlantic Station
Those BRFs who have run this before enjoyed it. Parking at Atlantic Station is pretty easy. Course is hilly and challenging. Enjoyed long sleeved hoody. Don't get me started about ATC politically correct post race food box which contains nothing I ever want to eat after running 13 miles.
SWAG: Long sleeve Mizuno Hoody & Medal
COURSE: Did I say hilly? Start and finish at Atlantic Station. Into Peachtree Battle neighborhood and get to run back along Peachtree and experience Cardiac Hill.
FEE: $50-70, increasing increments between 7/31 & 9/30

October 23, 7:00am-30A Half Marathon & 5K

Need more Seaside in your life? Here's a new fall half! Thanks to Clairee for finding this one

SWAG: t-shirt, medal and swag bag

COURSE:  The race will be starting and ending at Gulf Place, with the turnaround point at The Boathouse in WaterColor.

FEE: $90

October 29,7:45am -Silver Comet Half Marathon

Mable House Arts Center in Mableton is the location for this one. Has been Halloween themed in the past.

SWAG: Medal & T-Shirt

COURSE: Out/back on Silver Comet Trail.

FEE: $65 with incremental increases closer to event date (next one in 12 days)

October 30, 7:00am - Atlanta Halloween Half Marathon

Yes, you guessed it..folks dress up for this run. Costume not required but makes for interesting sights along the 13.1 miles.

SWAG: Medal and shirt. Really cute, different medals.

COURSE: Start and finish in Piedmont Park includes: Centennial Olympic Park, Carter Center and  Beltline.

FEE: $65 individuals; $60 each in teams of 4 or more

November 5, 7:30 am - Savannah Rock n Roll

Mixed reviews on this over the years. RNRs seems to have issues in general and last year's heat, water shortage and ultimate stopping of event casts a shadow. However, many have run years before, enjoyed the event and touted the flat course with music along the way.  Book lodging early is one piece of wisdom shared by past participants.

SWAG: Medal, Personalized race bib & T-shirt

COURSE:

FEE- $101

November 24, 7:30am - Atlanta Thanksgiving Half Marathon

Always nice to get a pre-Thanksgiving meal calorie deficit. Easy and free parking. Nice shirt. That food box AGAIN. Mentioned this to a couple of you, I'm not feeling this event this year, although I would like to run long day the before or on Thanksgiving. Right now, I am thinking about planning my own neighborhood long run event which will feature water stations, buy-your-own-shirt, no medal, no timing, no crowd support but Starbucks is usually open. In defiance of the ATC, I might even bring bananas, bagels and chocolate milk. That that, ATC!
COURSE: Starts & Finishes at Turner Field. Looks to be same course as previous years.
SWAG: Long sleeve 1/4 zip Mizuno shirt and Medal.
FEE: $70 thru $85 depending on how close to event.

December 11, 8:00am - Jeff Galloway 13.1

Have done this two years in a row and signed up for this year as well. (Major discount if you sign up right after.)  IMO, great course with fairly easy logistics. My only complaints are downtown packet pick up and that darn post race food box rears its ugly head again. Note, I was able to score some free entries last year so I will keep my eye out again this year.

SWAG: Medal, T-shirt, Personalized race bib, free photos

COURSE: Starts on 11th street and finishes in Piedmont Park. Virginia Highlands, Carter Center, Beltline and Piedmont Park are key highlights.
FEE: $105 thru 12/1


NOTE: Did not find that Atlanta 13.1 that usually occurs first weekend in October. You know, the one that used to run through our hood them moved to Cobb then to Cumming then back to Cobb. AKA as the one that Petunia's husband always runs:)

Fall long running is definitely my favorite long run season. There are several intriguing running events in the latter part of 2016.  A personal family focus is keeping me from going ahead and registering my heart out for a bunch of them. As of right now, I am only signed up for the Galloway but perhaps some great planning and maintaining longer distances will let me just jump into a few more....especially if there happens to be a BRF or two or three running an event.

If you know of another 2016 10-Miler or Half Marathon  of interest not listed, please share and I'll update this post to include.

Meanwhile let's keep on buzzing to see if any of these shake out for BRF company,
Sadie

PS - For Atlanta Southern Sole Sisters, these have all been loaded into Team snap to share status on these events as the months progress.

Seaside Update 2016

Nine Southern Sole Sisters made the trip for the Seaside Half Marathon & 5k. This was the eighth year for Clairee and Hazel, holders of the longest Seaside streak. We had two Seaside virgins: Ruth & Clarice. This blog post author has been deemed the trip chronicler. The main purpose of the annual post is to be our resource guide in planning the next year. Nothing is ever written in stone but it was often heard, over our glorious weekend, “We have to remember that for next year”. As a matter of fact, this most recent year, I was handed scraps of papers with notes to include in this post. Thus, this post is intended to represent the combined wisdom as told to me by you, my southern sole sisters. Furthermore, this post will be edited and reedited until it reflects all of your thoughts. You can post them as comments or email me and I will weave them in.

The weekend is centered on the actual running events, a half marathon and 5k, although so much more than running is enjoyed by our group.  We always hope to add more of our best running friends to our adventure so a brief running event overview.  The run is held on a Sunday (last February or first March) and is an out/back on 30A. It has been known to sell out, especially the 5k. They have expanded the capacity for the half marathon so it has not sold out in the most recent two years. Typically the run date/registration open is early Fall. The run itself is pleasant, not really hilly compared to Georgia, and features fab swag (tech t-shirt, medal and the coveted Vera Bradley bag-choosing between two designs).The after festival is glorious with great food & beverages, music and if the weather is good, an amazing recovery place-to-be. WE WILL NOT FORGET SUNSCREEN AND HATS THIS TIME, RIGHT Ladies? We had a bit of sunburn from perfect recovery weather this past year. Wrap around this great run experience with a road trip, fun eating & beverage experience, the beach, bicycles, warmer weather, shopping, more beverages, delicious restaurants/bars and a really nice house (or what could be houses as our group expands) within walking or biking distance of EVERYTHING..and did I say, lots of beverages?!

THINGS NOT TO FORGET TO PACK & WHAT DID WE WEAR RACE DAY this year, I started keeping a tally on the topics that we discussed over and over again to our own exhaustion in preparation for the trip. Weather and clothes were, BY FAR, our top two incessantly covered topics. Zelda and I found ourselves tickled as she had asked me the same question several times and I kept answering it, until she found herself answering her own question.  The answer was “Hot Chocolate Sweatshirt!”. 

• Start with the single most important item as told to us by Hazel…SUNGLASSES– The back part of the out/back is brutal sun in the eyes whether you are running the 5k or the Half. Plus you will need them for the after party.
• Pearl says, “As for packing, I will always bring a HAT for the run. I’ll weigh in here, that this would have been awesome to have at the after party as we were unaware that the sun was powerful enough to turn us a bit red.
• Pearl also liked having a light wind breaker.  She bought one of those light scarves and loved having it the rest of the trip to burrow down when the breeze blew off the ocean.  This time of year can still be cool.  
• Beans, Chews or Gu. Yes, they will have some on the course but it may not be what you like or when you want it.
• Bathing Suit could be considered..some do, some don’t.
•  Yoga clothes – we are two-for-two (years in a row) in attending a yoga class Monday with the more seasoned Seaside residents who we want to grow up to be..
• Pre-run foods like oatmeal as well as any snacks, bars and special beverages you want for the weekend.
• Cause we always ask ourselves, "what did I wear when I ran this last year?"..most of us have worn over the past couple of years, tank tops, capris, some with long sleeve or shrug over and for Hazel, gloves this year. Add your race number, cap, sunglasses & put money/credit card* on you for important post race purchases.
• Race Day, we pack a bag, without valuables, that contains towel for post-race lounging in the grass and some warm overclothes. Don’t forget the sunscreen. Leave bag in post race area...

OVER DISCUSSED TOPICS LIST

I tried to come up with a Top Ten, like David Letterman, but could not get to 10. Maybe you can help. Here, in one spot gathered, were the topics we could not seem to stop discussing related to this trip. As tired as I was talking about them, I could not help myself from, sometime,s being the one to bring them up.

1.       Weather – how many apps can be checked several times a day/every day the week before our trip.

2.       Clothes – what are we wearing for the run? What are you bringing to wear post run? What other clothes are you bringing? Heels? Boots? Sweaters? Bathing Suits? Arghhhh

3.       Pre-Run Eating – Don’t eat, do eat. Oatmeal, Coffee, Banana, Nunn. This, of course, leads right into #4

4.       Bathroom Habits – Arggh can we empty our bowels and bladders in the proper timing pre-run? TMI, guilty as charged.#4 can be impacted drastically by #5

5.       Drinking Alcohol Night Before Run – Do you? Should you? Will you? Then, what will you drink and how much? And what will be the result on your gastrointestinal system. See #4.

6.       Bringing to/Bag Checking the Run-painful even to revisit. We must have discussed this one a million times. What are you carrying on your person? What are you bag checking? What are the 5kers bringing for the HMers?

7.       Transport Method to the Run – Should we walk? Should take the shuttle? Can we bike there?

GETTING THERE

Travelling to Seaside by CAR has been the preferred mode of transportation. Typically, different pods of SSS set off from the Atlanta area 5:30am on Saturday to arrive in Seaside around 11:00am.  (Seaside is an hour behind Atlanta). With limited road traffic, one or two stops along the way (Blue Moon café-a fav), it was common to here that it felt fast and the timing was perfect. Not only did it land us before the brunch rush crowd at Great Southern, it allowed our group to choose between brunch and lunch menus at one of our favorite restaurants. This also placed us with full bellies ready to attend packet pick up which began next door at 12pm.

You can also get there by PLANE. Pearl has done this multiple years in a row and tried different airports. Here are her thoughts:

I have decided that I prefer flying into Panama City (ECP) airport.  It's only 30 min away from Seaside.  Ft. Walton (VPS) is about an hour away from Seaside by going through Destin.  The positive for this airport may be food or shopping options in Destin area.   

LODGING ARRANGEMENTS

Houses for rent must be rented for three night say minimum and typically for desired area and size, houses have been renting for around $3,000. The last two years, we have rented a house that can accommodate over 10 people from 360 Blue Properties and have had wonderful experiences. This year’s address was:

848 Western Lake (stayed 2015)

Pros for this house was definitely the proximity to the starting line (Left only 10 minutes before race time, to not use porta potties…PRICELESS). Comfortable, very nice accommodations.

Cons were bathroom arrangements. One bedroom with four bunkbeds did not have access to bathroom unless travelling through other bedrooms or going downstairs.

104 Buttercup (stayed 2014)

Pros-best common area ever, with long dining table that could easily accommodate our large group.  Better bathroom access

Cons-sort of. Some sleeping arrangements were in separate guest house.

236 Spartina Circle (stayed 2016)

Pros-near Publix, 5 full bathrooms, nice long dining table, lots of places to park (garage), nice furnishings, honeymoon suite, five double (either king or queen) beds, plus double bunk room and pull out couch.

Cons-farther away from start. Subzero fridge was interesting. Upstairs living area with sleep below/noise level.

If you have previous years places to make note of.. Or if you know of one, that should be considered for the future years… send them my way and I will insert them into this blog.

ADVANCED RESERVATIONS CONSIDERATION

Besides Lodgings and Race Registration, there are a few reservations that can  be made before arrival. This year, these included:

• Monday Yoga Class
• Extra Bikes (our house came with 6, so we reserved 3 additional)
• Monday Night Dinner Reservations

EATING, EATING AND PLANNING TO EAT

A few random thoughts to take or ditch. Arrival Brunch at Great Southern has become a fun tradition. Three years in a row, this has been a first stop. They have brunch and lunch, which our group, split down the middle on who ordered what…and amazing Mimosas and Bloody Mary’s to start our trip off right.

Past few years, we have dined in the night before the run and found this was nice because we could accommodate different food needs and we can control the ingredients that might come back to haunt us (see most discussed topic #4 & 5). Summarized Eat In Dinner and Recipes later in blog.

Post Run, we have taken in Pizza-By-The-Sea and eaten at the house. This allows post run veg social time. Those are IN for the night, can just hang in PJs. Those who are more adventurous are well fueled for whatever their journey name take them.

In 2016, I’ll also note we particularly enjoyed Monday Happy Hour at WINE WORLD, post yoga. Happy Hours begins at 11:30am.

PRE RUN EAT IN MENU included Seaside Chicken, Roasted Carrots, French Bread, Salad, Orzo Salad and Energy Balls. (Recipes at end)

COMMUNITY BRINGING ASSIGNMENTS AND SHOPPING

In our planning for the trip, we have recycled the list of what we are bringing (folks just sign up) for those important house community needs like Toilet Paper and then we have a Grocery Store trip when we get there. These lists modify a bit from year to year but again in the not to work too hard in planning, here are lists from this year. NOTE FROM 2016, Again we ended up with an overabundance of stuff that resulted in some waste. Repeating nothing set in stone, we can bring less/buy more or vice versa but overall quantity could be considered. Maybe we will improve on this with age?!

GROCERY LIST FOR SEASIDE

Bananas - one bunch about 8

Oranges - big navel -6

Lemon-2

Coffee fixins - half and half

Skim milk - half gallon
Chicken Thighs- boneless skinless 4 + lbs

Onions- 2 sweet onions

Beer- (unless someone brings it)

Orzo-box

Sundried Tomato- jar

Feta- 4 oz container crumbled feta

Basil-

Romaine lettuce heart (comes in bag/ box of 3)-1

arugula (box of)

spinach (bag of)

shaved parmasean in plastic container (thick shaving) not powdered-Over with the cheeses. 

French baguettes of some other kind of bread with dinner

Carrots whole - 2 on bag in produce

Red wine vinegar

Ears of Corn

Pinenut

Decaf Coffee

Kale Salad mix

Angel Hair Pasta

Garlic

Red Pepper Flakes

Zing Zang

Hummus

Carrot Chips

Bottled Water

Chocolate chips

Old Fashioned Rolled Oats

Toasted Coconut

Peanut Butter

Honey

Flax Seed

BROUGHT BY US (divide/volunteer/assign)

Seasonings- Hazel

 Salt/Pepper- Hazel

Olive Oil- Hazel

Aluminum pans-

Aluminum Foil-

Stevia-

Coffee-

hand washing soaps
Clorox Wipes-

Toilet Paper-

Paper Towels

Napkins
Dishwasher tab
trash bags

Laundry detergent/dryer sheets
Selfie Stick

Hangers

Gum

RECIPES

ORZO SALAD from FRANCES -I don’t have a recipe BUT everyone knows I don’t cook so it’s one of those that anyone can do. 

Ingredients:

Orzo – Think I only did 1 lb

Sundried tomatoes pack in oil (the ones you find in a glass jar near canned tomatoes)

Fresh basil

1 package of Feta or equivalent fresh parmesan (believe we did feta and I like it a little better than parm)

Olive oil

Cook the orzo.

Take about ¾ jar of the sundried tomatoes and put into a blender or food processor (all the rentals should have a blender)

Add all the basil that comes in the package (removing stems and breaking apart the big leaves)

Add a little more olive oil (maybe 2 Tbls)

Blend until the texture is not smooth and runny but the tomatoes and basil are really chopped.    You’ll need to run the blender, mix with a spoon, repeat etc..

It won’t look like a lot but it goes a long way.  Mix with the orzo and add the feta. 

Oh – and I like the salad better the next day after it’s been chilled.  Great for leftovers!!!

SEASIDE CHICKEN from HAZEL

11/2-2lbs. Boneless skinless chicken thighs (amt depends on how many you are feeding) I sometimes add skinless chicken legs for the kids.

1-onion

Olive oil

Season All

Paprika

Vegetable broth (enough to cover chicken

Pyrex dish (size again depends on how many you feed)

Preheat oven to 375

Put chicken in Pyrex and lightly season both sides with SeasonAll. Arrange chicken in Pyrex and drizzle with olive oil. Slice onion into rings and arrange on top of chicken. Pour vegetable broth over chicken - enough to cover chicken. 

Bake uncovered for 30 minutes.

Cover and bake an additional 45 minutes.

MARGARITAS from BLANCHE (makes 4)

1/2 cup fresh squeezed lime juice

1/2 cup Cointreau or Patron Citronge

1/2 water

3/4 cup silver tequila

1/2 of an orange (squeezed)

ENERGY BALLS prepared by Petunia

Yield: About 3 dozen

No Bake Energy Bites

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 0 mins

Total Time: 10 mins

Ingredients:

·         1 cup (dry) oatmeal (I used old-fashioned oats)

·         2/3 cup toasted coconut flakes

·         1/2 cup peanut butter

·         1/2 cup ground flax seed

·         1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips (or vegan chocolate chips)

·         1/3 cup honey or agave nectar

·         1 tablespoon chia seeds (optional)

·         1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

1.       Stir all ingredients together in a medium bowl until thoroughly mixed. Cover and let chill in the refrigerator for half an hour.*

2.       Once chilled, roll into balls of whatever size you would like. (Mine were about 1" in diameter.) Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 1 week.

3.       Makes about 20-25 balls.

*Prep time listed does not include time for the mixture to chill.  To speed up the chilling, I recommend spreading the mixture out on a baking sheet, then covering it with plastic wrap and refrigerating.

If you make this recipe, be sure to snap a photo and hashtag it #gimmesomeoven. I'd love to see what you cook!

Feel free to check out these other no-bake energy bites recipes too!

·Sweet and Salty Energy Bites

·Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Bites

·Cranberry Pistachio Energy Bites

·Nutella Energy Bites

·Almond Joy Energy Bites

·Cashew Dark Chocolate Energy Bites

·Trail Mix Energy Bites

This delicious recipe brought to you by Gimme Some Oven
http://www.gimmesomeoven.com/no-bake-energy-bites/

I am sure I missed capturing a planning detail or three. Send me what I missed and I'll edit and insert in the blog post. Anxiously awaiting Seaside 2017.

Sadie

Rocky Top Running Review

Before it gets too far for me to remember all the relevant details, I wanted to share a review of the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon event of which I participated in the half marathon.  Ten days ago, I had the opportunity to complete one of my bucket list HMs and sweet it was. Now I preface this knowing that what may be particularly wonderful for me was running through my hometown. So possibly this post will inspire you not to join me in Knoxville next year (although happy to have you) but to seek out a run through your hometown or college town to absorb the same joy boost.

Here's how it went down...

Pricing - Full price close to run date is $85 but registering early in the year was around $55. There are a marathon and relay options.

Swag- for that price, it includes a medal and a short sleeved female cut t-shirt.

Packet Pickup/Expo - is the day before at hotel conference center next to starting line. Packet pick up was easy and the expo is quite large with lots of booths.

Race Day Starting Line- my father dropped me off just a block from the starting line. I was loaded down with my bag with gloves, extra sweatshirt/pants as the temperature was 38 degrees. Was already planning on using bag check and brought all this extra stuff for the anticipated 45 minute wait at the start. HOWEVER, I was pleasantly surprised to find that they allowed all of us to wait inside of the Knoxville Convention Center lobby which was just a stone's throw from the starting line. I waited inside until the very last minute, dropped my bag off and jumped into my corral. Easy Peasy.

Course & Course Support - to me this was all awesome, again perhaps the hometown thing.  From the Start at Worlds Fair, couple miles on the Neyland Greenway along the Tennessee River, into my father's neighborhood -Sequoyah Hills, up a helluva hill, onto a few miles on the lush and beautiful Third Creek Greenway back on UT Campus with a rush of a finish into ever-so-large (seats over 100k)  Neyland Stadium, home of the Tennessee Volunteers.   Yes, it is hilly-it is East Tennessee after all, but I found the course a nice run other than that one need-a-belay hill. Plenty of water stops and gu at mile 6.3 There were at least 8 bands or musicians set up along the course plus there are neighborhood shenanigans that kept the course interesting. One neighborhood crowd was the entire cast of Top Gun, another Star Wars (Jabba the Hut was my fav), another grandmas and then sign after sign of funny sayings and encouragement.  The sign set that brought me the memorable chuckle was the one that started with:

Naked Cheerleader 1/4 ahead

Then, a very large bra and panties in the trees

Then a sign that said Naked Cheerleader on break

 

That just gives you a taste of the character of the crowd support. There were many high fivers, lots of children along the course with signs and fist bumps. I was not up for most of the high fiving as the healthcare worker in me immediately thinks germs (sorry,can't help it). As I was approaching the horrible hill (they tell you it is coming in signage), I saw a neighborhood pack of cheerers. My memory flashed to high school friends, brother and sister, that lived just off that horrible hill. My mind flashed to my friend, Pace that I had lost touch with. For whatever reason, when I ran past this pack of people high fiving, germs be damned, I reached up to high five the first person in the pack. As I lifted my hand and she went to high five me, I looked in her eyes and ta da...it was PACE! Time seemed to freeze as we figured this out and off I went without much more than us saying each other's names. Knew she was in Knoxville but had no idea she settled near her parents' homestead. Guess it was the universe giving me something to think about as I tackled that really yucky hill. Possibly saw her brother almost near the top but it could have been delirium.

 

Course support descriptuion would not be complete without a huge thank you to my wonderful husband who got up early with the kids and popped up two places along the course.

 

Finish & After Party - I won't deny that tears suddenly came upon me as I entered the stadium. Kvelling of emotion was all there to feel this moment of accomplishment of this bucket list item. This was most upsetting as, the last mile, I had been contemplating my finish line photo pose. My long time Southern Sole Sisters will recall we got some training on this from the Another Mother Runner gals-Dmity and Sarah at a Zooma expo.Thus, I has put some serious thought into this and the last thing I wanted was an ugly cry face to accompany my arm's up finish line cross. (Arm's up seemed appropriate as I was wearing long sleeves and the extra arm skin/fat woggle would not be visible.). If you were to look really closely at my finish photo, you will not see a smile but a face that the face of a person trying way hard to keep it together.

 

Logistical note, the event organizers make it so easy for your family and friends to come to the stadium for this finish moment. Free close parking and entry into the stadium. Your name is announced over the loud speaker and then there you are on the big screen. Thanks to my husband, kids, father and stepmother who were in the stadium for my finish! Medal , immediate water bottle, a photo station and then a nice walkway around the stadium to meet your family at the field exit.

 

 

Then to bananas, fruit, chocolate milk and all the other post race recovery food that SHOULD BE THERE. Take note Atlanta Track Club & Jeff Galloway who provides none of the above but rather a gluten free, soy free, dairy free, politically correct food substances-no-one would ever want to eat after a HM, snack box. There are all kind of vendors with food and other items for purchase, massage tables, injury stations, etc. This post race party is located within the stadium concourse so protected from any potential weather elements.

 

In summary:

LOVED IT. DOING IT AGAIN.

 

It was a great event, eventwise for a half marathon but it had that extra special boost of being meaningful every step of the way.

 

Friend, who was a marathon pacer for this event,  told me CHKM was one of his very favorites. This was his 48th marathon. He said my hometown really knew how to put on a run. Then, he told me about the other stadium finishes he experienced and suggested me and my crew might want to consider a tour of the SEC Half Marathon  with stadium finishes. Most of the SEC schools have them. Few of you have already finished at Athens and loved it.  Hmmmm, it is a thought. if not the SEC, what about a town or school special to you. ..I think I might have already planted a seed with  Bea about a Notre Dame stadium finish....

 

Rocky Top Will Always Be...

Sadie