This was my first time running the Area 13.1 Half Marathon in Roswell, GA. The race started at Riverside Park at 7 pm. The course was mostly flat with a few hills on the latter half of the course. The course was easier the most races in ATL.

My main struggle with the race was the heat. It was 91 degrees when we started and high 80s when we finished. At mile 8, my vision started getting weird. I decided to change my interval to mostly walking during miles 11-13. I had never been so happy to see a finish line in my life. I doubt I will run this race again because it is too hot. The medal was cool and it glows in the dark. As a bonus there was race day packet pick up with a mini expo with a few vendors.

The Expo
The race did not have an expo. Packet pickup was at an Academy store in Snellville. I had never shopped at the store so it was a great opportunity to see new products. Packet pick was quick and easy.

Race Day
The race is in Snellville, GA on Ronald Reagan Parkway off Hwy 124. There was plenty to free parking for the event. The race is the only time of the year that Ronald Reagan Parkway is only closed so plenty people took advantage of an opportunity use the road (runners and non-runners). Run the Reagan half marathon was an out and back race and had 200 participants. There was also a 5k and 10k. The weather was nice and having few participants meant there was plenty of room for walking and running. While there wasn't much crowd support, overall it was great race.

The post race party featured many vendors and free Jimmy Johns subs. I plan to run this race next year, hopefully I can place in my age group.

The United Relay (www.unitedrelay.org) is a three course nationwide relay that starts on the west coast and ends in New York. The race is sponsored by AfterShotz. I like relays and when I found out the blue route ran through Atlanta; I couldn't wait to join the adventure. I signed up to run legs 251 and 255 of the race. I also took a stab at raising funds to support the charity Girl Rising.

Leg 251 (May 26)
Time: 11:15 pm
Distance: 5k
Location: Piedmont Park, Atlanta, GA

My first leg was at Piedmont Park at 11:15 pm, which is my bed time. The route was around the parameter of the park. The terrain was classic Atlanta and well lit. It felt like humidity was having a picnic in the park during the run. My fellow BibRave Pro Jessica Moore joined me for the journey. Overall the leg was fine. I have run this route many times so it was all good.

I passed the baton to Jessica Moore so she could cycle the next leg in the relay. I went home to get some sleep for my next leg.

Leg 255 (May 27)
Time: 6:15 am
Distance: 9 miles
Location: Conyers, GA

After 4 hours of sleep, I woke up to run my second leg of the race out in Conyers, GA. Leg 2 was the complete opposite of the first leg. The first leg was in the city (sidewalks and concrete) and second leg was rustic (waterfalls and farms houses).

My route started in Conyers on State Road 20, which has no sidewalk and is not really ideal for runners. I started going north on the road and crossed into Walton County. I was so focused on not getting hit by cars and not stepping on snakes that missed my turn at mile 2. Once I realized I was going the wrong way, I was at mile 7 and too far way to get to the finish in time for the next leg. Thankfully, the support team picked me up and I got 8 of the 9 miles in the race. If this leg available next year, I will run it for redemption. I even got a #buffie with the support crew.

Fundraising Efforts
This race was my first attempt to fundraise for a cause. Fundraising is difficult and this probably my last time raising funds for a race. I will donate for causes though. I was able to raise $230 of the $300. I am glad to be able to support Girl Rising in their efforts to raise awareness to women education opportunities.

Overall it was a great race and it is not too late to sign up to run a leg (www.unitedrelay.org).

The Montgomery Marathon was my first marathon pacing gig. The race was a mixture of road and trail running. I paced the 6:45 group so I got to hang out with the back of the pack. The race had a 7 hour time limit.

The Expo and packet pick up
Packet pick up was really simple and quick. The expo was pretty small with less than 20 vendors. There were plenty of great products for sale.

The course
The first 12 miles of the course was a scenic journey through the street of Montgomery. We ran through Alabama State University and the state capitol. The neighborhoods were great. Once the half marathon and marathon course split, I headed for a 10 mile run through Maxwell Air Force Base. Around mile 17, we ran on gravel trail that had wildlife (alligators) warnings. Thankfully I didn't see one. After Maxwell AFB, we headed toward the finish.

How can the race improve?
1. There were no timing mats on the course. That makes this race ripe for cheating and losing runners.
2. There were no official sweeper vehicles to divert runners. One runner was behind me and didn't cross the finish line with the other later runners. I am not sure what happened to her.
3. Near the end of the race, many of the water stations had water in cooler containers, but no volunteers to give water.
4. There was no time marker for each mile so it is was difficult to determine your official time.
5.More volunteers/officers should have been present during the trail with the gators or avoid that route all together for safety purposes.

Overall the the race was an good experience. The medal and post race food was wonderful.