Hotlanta Half Marathon 2016 - Consecutive year !!

12th June 2016

After last year’s run in the rain, Hotlanta Marathon 2016 really went on reclaim its title ‘HOT’lanta. Yes this time it was a really hot run. I did register for the race early this time unlike last year’s and save some bucks. Had ample of preparation time and preparation for the same I ran River Run for Hope 10k, which was a really good run for me and got my personal best for the 10k. I was pretty confident for the run on 12th June. Also excited as it was my Father’s Birthday day too. I did plan to do something different that day and wore a tag on my shirt that said ‘Happy Birthday Dad’.

But start of the day was not exciting, train service was halted for whatever reason it was. I realized it after waiting for 20 mins at the stations and planned to join couple of other runners on a car pool. It was nice of them to get in a stranger in their car but yes it’s a runner community and every one unknowingly knows every runner. We were just in time for the race.

Race started pretty good to me, I was cruising and maintaining my pace all through. I reached 10kms mark in 58 mins and was hoping to get the 2nd half of the race in same time. I ran a good 3kms with an elderly gentleman who had run 35 marathon in different states of USA, that was incredible and he was 60, and that’s amazing. By this time sun was out and it was showing up on me. My pace got a bit slow and I was trying not lose out on the energy. I blame this of my lack of runs under sun. Well, its race day !.

Meantime wishes were pouring in for my dad. Runners and people who watched the tag on my shirt wished my dad a happy birthday. It was exciting to hear them wish. Last couple of miles under scorching sun were bad, I could have done better this time but no excuses can do better next time. I finished in 2.15 mins around the same time I finished last year but enjoyed the run thoroughly. I love this race and the good photos they take and allow to download free. Below some pictures and my timing.

633

Prashant Patil

Atlanta

GA

617

31

M

30-34

2:15:42

2:17:42

10:22/M

Happy Running !!

Hotlanta Marathon 23rd August 2015

Running always paved me a way to overcome myself, I tend to think myself as strong and jovial but life always not a bed of roses, you keep finding thrones on your way to the cozy bed. This is were running comes to rescue me and it always did. It Lets me keep off from my despair for a while. Sleepless nights, not so substantial days and add to your misery too. I tend to find time for running though, but sometime its lazy me who over power my will for running. Most of the time I am able to beat my laziness and plunge onto the road for some good run. At the end its just the satisfying feeling, realization of something gone good, sweat reminds me of something good.

After my 10k race at Peachtree Road race, I was looking for a bigger run. Read about Hotlanta Half Marathon, pretty unsure about staying back here for a while, could not register for it earlier but time I got to know I will be around here, first thing I did was to stop by Big Peach running club to register paying bit extra then the initial registration price. Marathon was on 23rd August 2015 and I did the registration on 10th August. With couple of weeks to power up my run and mileage, I continued what I was doing. Kept running over the evenings, did a long run same weekend. These days I was finding my running rhythm, longer runs where comfortable and could increase my mileage over time. Unknown source of power and music guided me over the time. 

My fitness was also steady due to the Cricket I was playing on weekends for the Atlanta Cricket League. This kind of helped me be better my quick runs and heat. On the D-day, 23rd August, I got up early, listening to my playlist and was ready to hit the road. I was talking to a running in MARTA Train and got to know about the expected rain half way through the race starts. Well, Peachtree Road Race was also a similar event which ended up running all the way in rain, and I was pretty disappointed to run in rain again, although I enjoy rain but this time I wanted to give my best. 

My run started pretty good, kept my pace and initial 10k I completed in 58 mins, but soon the rain started pouring making it hard to keep my pace, water streams were all across and day almost looked like a night with street lights on for some time. I kept whatever pace I could maintain and ran to complete the Marathon in 2hr 13 mins, best so far after the debacle run in November last year in India. I was happy. Also happy because I felt I was the only Indian running here J couldn’t see any more Indian faces around. I took some pics and also created a video to say hi to Hriday, Avni, Aru and my Appi. It was great run and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Below are some pics and my race results.

Race result:

518

Prashant Patil

927

30

M

30-34

2:13:30

2:15:04

10:11/M

Joy of seeing the Finish line

Keep running !!