Mizuno Peachtree 10K Recap

Earlier this week I  gave you a little insight into the pre and post race fun we had with Mizuno but now let’s talk about the race itself.

The night before, the weather showed a chance of rain during the race so I was prepping myself for some rain but what we got was not “some” rain but we’ll get there.

The morning of the race, we met in the lobby and headed to the start of the race.

RACE TIP: Stay close to the starting line.  It pays to be within walking distance of the start line.

After some mandatory blogger photo ops, we headed to the starting line.  The two faster girls (Kristin and Sarah) took off to the A corral and I nestled into B.  Abby took off a little further down the street but we were all pretty close.  I remembered to put my phone in a ziploc bag and thank god I did.  About the time I started, the rain started too.    I’m pretty use to racing in the rain and actually am starting to like it.  It’s better than the heat and humidity that I was expecting at the Peachtree.

I really liked the B corral.  I was hoping to keep about an 8:50 to 9:10 pace and that’s about exactly what everyone else seemed to want to do.  We all took off without any major bobbing and weaving.  It was a crazy experience to actually be in a corral where everyone was where they should be.  It was nice!

The first two miles, the rain came and went but by the start of the third, it was a steady pouring rain.  My first two miles were somewhere about 8:45 and 9:04.  The third mile challenged me.  Between the rain coming down hard and the start of the notorious “cardiac hill”, I slowed down more than I would’ve liked.

RACE TIP: Stay on the right side of the route.  That’s where all the cool people are long the route.

About mile 2.5 there was a priest there that was blessing people with holy water.  So while I may not have made it to church this weekend, I definitely had a moment of spirituality.  🙂

By the end of the fourth we had cleared the hill.  It was still raining but it wasn’t enough to dampen the crowds.  I was so shocked to see so many standing out in the rain.  At least I was running.  They all had to be cold.  One of the best scenes along the race route were the patients of the spinal injury center that came out to see us.  Talk about inspiring.  If they had their hand out, I slowed down and shook it.  It was the least I could do.

The fifth and sixth mile came with TONS of water and some thunder and lighting.  My shoes and socks were soaked and it was impossible to miss puddles.  I even think as we were nearing the finish line I heard the announcers telling us to hurry up and finish.

My last two miles were sub 9 min and I was pretty stoked. Right before I crossed the finish line, I stepped on the center line of the road and slid a little.  I think that must be what I did to my hip.

We finished in Peidmont Park which looked like it would’ve been really awesome had it not been the midst of a thunderstorm.  It was so bad, they wouldn’t even let us hang out in the park…they were asking us to take cover.

Somehow I missed all the food and snacks which sucks a little because being Atlanta, they had a station where you could take all the coke products you could grab…HELLO DASANI SPARKLING.  🙁 Oh well

One thing that makes this race so interesting is that getting out of the park is challenging.  I had to walk to MARTA which was another mile and a half or so out of the way. Me and everyone else.  It literally is the only way out.

RACE TIP: Have your MARTA card ahead of race time.  That will save you from having to wait in line to get your card

I made it on the MARTA without much issue and had some pleasant conversation with fellow runners.  You gotta admit southern people are so nice!

Back at the hotel, a warm shower was just what the doctor ordered.

Overall, it was a GREAT RACE.  Definitely one that you should try to do.  I forgot that you don’t get bling, you have to buy it ahead of time then pick it up after the race.  I had forgotten so no bling for me.  They do give you a race shirt at the finish but you don’t see the design until the race.  It’s their secret reveal.

RACE TIP: The shirts are HUGE.  I got a small and am swimming in it.

The rest of the day we spent recovering with a little retail therapy before the baseball game.

I ended up wearing the Enigma’s and they were comfy but I probably should’ve worn the Wave Riders, they just have a better feel for racing.

There it is.  My race recap.  I want to thank Mizuno again for inviting me down and hosting me and the other girls.  We had an wonderful time and I do appreciate it.

Next up for me is Blogfest on July 17th.  Then a local triathlon that I get to do with ItzLinz!

Have you done the Peachtree?  What was your favorite part?  Did you race this weekend?