Running
the Hills in HotLanta
Race report by Ricky Scott
 Unorganized
start, no corrals. (At least I never saw any) We stood in a line that
twisted around Underground Atlanta, we were packed in with nowhere
to go.
Being comfortable in shorts and a tank top at 6:30 AM an hour before
the sun comes up was not a good sign, we were comfortable.
After crossing the chip mats we encountered a second set of chip mats
further up the road, I still don't know which one was the starting
one and which was the finish.
The first drop of sweat to fall off my face occurred at about a half
mile.
For the first 2 miles, we kept encountering walking road blocks. (groups
of walkers 4 people wide) I guess they got here early so they could
get up front.
With 15,000 people I expected water tables to be set up on both sides
of the road. I had to go back after I passed by the two tables on
the left since there were none on the right.
I was better prepared for the aid station at mile 3.5 as I did see
this one. I know a lot of people did not.
I saw the signs for the next one at mile 6, but that was all there
was, a sign. No I did not miss this one. The halfers were not with
us and the crowd lighter.
I had actually put an electrolyte capsule in my mouth in anticipation
of this water station, but I spit it out just past mile 7. Funny thing
happens when those things stay in your mouth for a mile. I blew smoke,
a white cloud if you will when I spit it out. Actually I was afraid
someone would think I was snorting cocaine.
At this point, the sun was coming up and for some reason I started
running faster. I eventually caught the 4:15 pace group and decided
just to stay with them. But things started to go downhill from there.
I was told later that I lot of the pace groups missed their mark,
but I never confirmed this.
Hills, this one had them. I had watched a video at the expo and knew
they were coming. Actually they existed from almost the start to the
finish. I don't remember anything being flat. I did not mind the hills,
as that is what my home course is like.
Somewhere around mile 15 I came out of my tank top and looped it around
my neck and on my back. I took the hot water they were handing out
and tried to drink some. The rest I poured on my head and down my
back. That hot water felt cool to my skin.
At mile 18 you had to do an out and back for 1 mile. I could see the
people crossing the 20 mile chip mats. I hate that kind of torture.
By now I was walking anything that even hinted that it might be a
hill.
Just before mile 21, I shut it down. Well, it's actually more like
I shut down.
The last 6 miles were full of boiling hot water, heavy sunshine and
friendly people. I was the most grateful for the residents that were
standing in the street with these big bowls of ice. I usually grabbed
two handfuls everytime. Ever try running with as many ice cubes as
you can in your hands and a mouth full of ice too?
Mile 22, my tongue kept getting stuck to the inside of my mouth. That
was a new experience. I've done the Boogie (marathon in the Sandhills
of NC in mid-June) and can say that did not happen there and it was
in the 90's!
At mile 23, I thought for the first time ever I was going to puke,
not sure what I could have puked up, but that's how I felt. (I never
did).
Finally the finish, the vision of Ron and Clint at the finish of Richmond
Marathon in 2002 flashed throught my mind. I wondered if this was
how they felt. I crossed the line and then had to struggle just to
keep moving. Even turning off my watch was a challenge. I knew I had
to keep moving and as I did someone handed me a bottle of water which
was hot in my hand, the guy in front of me grabbed a Coke can and
dropped it as it burnt his hand. I touched one to see exactly how
hot it was and let's just say it was hotter than the water.
Interesting enough, no one ever asked me if I was okay, I never saw
anyone checking on people, I somehow managed to find a lady with a
great big bag of ice and she was putting it in cups. Cold water. Was
it ever so good.
It was a rough day, one that I felt was worse than Baltimore 2001,
another hot day. But after thinking about it I feel I did very good.
I took no gels, none! No powerade and did not cramp. I only took one
bag of those jelly bean things. Just ate one or two every mile. No
cramps!
Needless to say, me and my buddies have one to talk about for the
rest of our lives, so I take that as a positive. But just like Baltimore,
I will NOT go back to ING Georgia!
So for my third hot marathon since November, you'd think I'd learn
to stay away from them, let's see time to head north..........maybe
Alaska...........Greenland?
Johnny,
Ricky, and Tommy after the finish
- the Moonshine Runners
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