St. Patrick’s Day is coming! I know you are well aware of this fact since we are already a few days into March. This St. Patrick’s Day I will be in downtown Atlanta doing the Georgia Half Marathon….again! This is my fourth year in a row running this race. I am excited and nervous. If you don’t know, a half marathon is 13.1 miles and a full marathon is 26.2 miles.
Let me break down those emotions for you.
Excited: Running with a crowd of over 15,000 people is amazing. There are no words to describe how it feels to stand at a start line with THOUSANDS of other runners who are as crazy as you. I bought green shirt and I have a huge sparkly bow for my hair. Little Sister loved that hair bow so much that she bought one for herself. It’s huge and kind of out of control! Thank you Target Dollar Spot.
Nervous: I have posted a Running Is Great update in a loooooong time. I failed at meeting my goal at a sub-two hour half marathon in November the Silver Comet race. I failed at walking a mile a day in December (courtesy of at least 2 possibly 3 migraines). Fast forward to now, and I am so not feeling this race. I haven’t been able to smell for over 3 months (it’s so weird, I know) and my breathing is labored when I run up hills. I have seen an Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor who scoped my nose, a Chiropractor who I stumped, and had 2 CT’s done on Friday. This week I see the ENT again as well as an allergist. I would like to be able to smell and breathing is pretty important to running!
Despite being nervous I know that this race will be great. Definitely not a PR, but better than nothing!
Do you have St. Patrick’s Day plans? I know, many people’s don’t include running 13.1 miles early in the morning!
The Publix Georgia Marathon is still looking for smiling volunteers. It could be you! One day I WILL volunteer at a big race….you know….when I am not running it!
Leandrea is a married mom of two girls, ages 13 and 12, living in Atlanta, GA. She is passionate about helping people save money one coupon at a time. Read more
Kelton and I are running a 5K on the 16th. It’s my first race since Dec because of my IT injury, so I’m a bit nervous too. I had planned to do my first half marathon this spring, but recovery is slow going, so I’m crossing my fingers for fall.