Peachtree Road Race 4th Of July Independence Day, Atlanta, Ga.
Last few months it’s been a roller coaster ride of things
happening in my life. Trying to find some sort of peace and calmness along the
way I am moving in. Missed to run Mumbai Marathon, which could have well be my
4th consecutive run in SCMM, also TCS 10k run which could have been
my 5th consecutive year in a row. Albeit my running was going on,
was looking up for some event where I could final break the shackle of not
running a marathon in recent times.
Moved to US in May, my first trip to US. I did settle there
in a week’s time. Now what, I started running whenever I could find time, whenever
things where getting hard on me. These days I was not maintaining any routine
but run whenever I can. I did search for marathons in Atlanta, could find one
on 4th July, Peachtree Road Race 10k. Thought this could well be my
chance to run abroad and run a marathon after a long time. But to my dismay,
registrations were full and I could gather some information like I may get a
running number during expo. Meantime I was running now and then, really not
sure about getting a running number or not on the day of expo.
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| Looking for Running number !! |
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| With Jeff Galloway |
Hoping to get running number I went to expo on 2nd
July, enquired if I can get a running number or number transfer or for sale. I
got some information of sale next day at the expo, was happy to hear that. I
met Jeff Galloway, running legend, trainer. I was happy to meet, had been
reading his articles on running and training for long. Took some pictures, he
was kind enough to look for a running number for me with his friends, but there
was no luck though.
I returned to expo next day and went directly to AJC booth,
where running number were sold. I asked the lady if any free numbers are
available. After checking, she got back to me with good news, some free numbers
were available. That means I get a number for the race and its free. I thanked
the lady and was back preparing myself mentally for the race next day.
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| With Bib Finally |
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| Again with Jeff with Bib |
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| All Check, All Set |
I had light dinner, arranged the stuff for the D-day. Slept hoping
for a good run. I woke at right time, got ready. I was hearing to the my favorite playlist in the morning. Moment I was out, it was raining.
I caught train which had thousands of runners, could barely find place to stand
in train. Got down at Buckhead and then a long walk till the start point, I saw
huge number of people all walking down to start line. I was in line up J and was
looking to join the crowd. Did some basic stretch and I was all set to run my
first marathon this year outside India, in a crowd where I could hardly see any
Indian faces.
Rain intensified right at the start line, I wished couple of
people whom I was having a chat, a good run and there I started. Initially slow
to adjust myself to the run, but through the miles I was feeling confident,
happy and run was going good. High fives, cheers all the way was good. I
finished the race all smiling and happy in a 1hr 3min with 10mins wasting to
secure my mobile getting wet due to rain. Only this time I carried it not to
miss to take picture of my run and the event :)
Few photos of the race below..
Post-race, award ceremony was cancelled since it rained
heavily and crowd of 60,000 plus people was beyond anybody’s control. I left
the race and went to after race party arranged by Jeff Galloway, hoping to meet
him again. Party was cool with nice
snacks and beer. I had both and left to room with some really nice memories of
the race and race as a whole.
Happy running !!
