Georgia was on my mind

I ran the Publix Georgia Half Marathon on March 23.
I did not expect to run this race, but I can be talked into just about any race. Does that make me race easy? :D
I signed up for this race on Dec. 31, 2013 at almost the stroke of midnight.
You know you are getting old when you leave a New Year's Eve party BEFORE the stroke of midnight. I had worked all day that day and I was tired, so I left.
I got home, logged onto Facebook and saw a message from running buddy Jessica, who had signed up for the Georgia Half and encouraged me to do the same, even sending me a code for a race discount!
So, I signed up. And I almost immediately had reservations.
Now, I've actually run this race three times before. The race started in 2007, but as the ING Georgia Half. I ran the inaugural year and it is a hilly course. That year the race start was in early April and it was 70 degrees at the start. The pollen was awful, the course was hilly and it's a wonder lots of folks didn't just stroke out along the course!
The morning of this year's race called for heavy rain. I dreaded it as I grabbed my rain poncho.
I took MARTA to the race, but a problem with one train meant I got there very close to race time -- not the best way to start a race!
Thankfully, I found Jessica before the start.

Jessica and me at the start

The sun came up along the first part of the course, and Jessica and I took a quick break to take a photo.

Jessica long the course

Me along the course

Jessica and I stayed together until about mile four and then I pulled ahead. I really didn't think I would do too well on this race because I lost a full month of training as a result of the car accident in January and the horrible weather in February. But mostly the car accident. I just couldn't run long distances! I couldn't run at all!!
So I was pleasantly surprised that I was only 10 minutes off my Nashville half time a year ago AND I did it on a harder course.

Georgia Half finishers!

Another half medal to hang on the wall

All in all, I was very pleased with the result, but Jessica almost immediately announced she did not intend to run this race again. That is, until I get an email from her saying she's signing up. And I'll sign up too. I'm easy that way.

New Year, New Me

Ah, a new year. Such endless possibilities.
First, let's talk about the end of 2013. I spent the holidays with my family in South Carolina, where my father turned 75. How the hell did that happen? Because in my mind, he's my age and I'm a whole lot younger than my chronological age.
Second, it's time for my annual count of my "found money" out of the found money piggy bank.

The found money pig

This year, I collected $4.20. I think that will get me a grande coffee at Starbucks!
Third, I finished 2013 with my neighbors Christine and Christopher, as I have for the past seven years. It's a tradition I have come to cherish. We make a lovely dinner and watch a movie and ring in the new year with some bubbly.
I made butternut squash soup and tiramisu. Christine made pork roast with roasted potatoes and asparagus. it was all so yummy.
I didn't make it to midnight. I went home early, but ended up on Facebook chatting with my running buddy Jessica and ended up signing up for the Publix Georgia Half Marathon in March! I know I'm ready, but I'm planning on running a half marathon in Kansas in April, so this pushes training up my a month. Oh well! It can be done.
On New Year's Day, I was at the start line for the Resolution Run 5K with my friend Angela.

Me and Angela before the race

 We didn't do too badly for this chilly race. Really, it wasn't so bad. It was in the mid 40s at the start. Sure beats last year when it was raining and really cold. I ended up running this race 10 second slower than last year, but I felt good through the whole race, even though I hadn't run in two weeks.

Selfie during the race.

who is that kid with the foam rollers? Me and Angela

I'm pleased with 2013 as a whole. I ran two half marathons, when I thought distance racing was behind me. I had great fun running with my friends Erin, Angela and Jessica, among others.
Geez, I turned 50 and nothing exploded or imploded! :)
In all, I feel like 2014 will be another wonderful running year. After all, it really is a whole new year, and a whole new me.