The Peachtree Road Race 10k is the greatest 10k in the world! Not only does it take place right here in our hometown of Atlanta, it occurs on the 4th of July, it's quite patriotic, it's tradition, it is famous for the T-shirt, and it's the largest 10k in the world. 55,000 runners come from all over the world to run it!
We had a great race morning. Picked up some friends in the 'hood and had a three-car caravan over to Brookhaven. We did, however, get a late start, which really bummed me out. We parked a mile away, and I had to start jogging immediately to cover the mile to the start area. I had worked very hard to get in the "sub-seeded" time group (right behind the Kenyans) by qualifying for that group with a sub 42:00 10k time. By the time I got to the starting area, I missed my group and had to jump in with time groups 1A and 1B. It was quite chaotic and confusing and not the best way to start a race. The good news was that the chip mats were still down so I would at least get an "official" time. My goal was to come in top 1,000 so that I could get a "top 1,000" finishers mug. To earn that, one usually has to run Peachtree in around a 44:00 10k. I got off to a rough start b/c is was so crowded. My first mile was a slow 7:13. By mile 2, I was down to a 6:34, then, 6:27, 7:06, 7:30 (yikes), 6:43, and 1:35 for a 43:11. I was decently happy with that, since the "new" Peachtree finish is now UPHILL for the last 1/2 mile! OUCH!
Rockin' the Peachtree in a Skirt....
Eric rockin' the Peachtree...
When I got home to check the results, I WASN'T IN THEM!! I was definitely disappointed, since I absolutely knew I crossed mats at the start and finish. If I new I wasn't going to have an official time, I would have relaxed a bit more. I called the Atlanta Track Club and they could find my chip starting time but not finish time. I was able to prove with finish line photos that the people I finished around (in my photos) had "x" clock time. So with my chip start and their clock time, they were able to verify my 43:11 and they are putting me in the results! Now maybe I'll get that mug afterall... Eric ran a good share of the race with his friend Kevin. Kevin ended up with Nana's number in time group 2. They barely made their start, as well. Kevin's heartrate maxed out during the race due to a nasty cold, so he and Eric split at around 4 miles and Eric finished in a nice and easy 53 minutes. He could have run much, much faster but decided to take it slow and easy to avoid what we call the "Peachtree Headache." (I ended up with it, he didn't.)
Eric and Kevin before the Peachtree, on the way to the start...
Finish line photo...
After the race, we headed home, packed up the kids and the pup, and headed to Barb and Doug's new lake house on Lake Sinclair. We spent the weekend there through Monday. We got some swimming in, had an awesome boat ride with the Wright Family, saw some sweet fireworks over the lake, played some cards, tested out the new margarita set (it works), and worked (a lot). I snuck in a couple of runs (10 and a 5) and Eric did 6.5 of the 10 with me. The place needs some work, but it will sure be a gem in no time at all!
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