Atlanta: Peachtree Road Race (10K)

Alright, runners...

I know our friend Paul has invited me to do the Peachtree Road Race here in Atlanta on July 4th and I have been dismissive out of fear and doubt.

I received an email from my company this morning (a corporate sponsor of the Peachtree) that allows for early registration--in a race that can be difficult to get into, as I understand.  So, I'm wondering if I'll be ready to go at it come July.

I am planning on running my first official 5K in mid-April, and am almost to that distance now in my training (2.6 miles yesterday).  However, the idea of going for 10K still strikes fear in my mind. 

How difficult is it to double distances?  Is two months enough time to add an additional 3.1 miles to my runs? 

An important element in my situation is that I'll have to take a little time off from running after the 5K as I'll be getting the ol' berries disconnected from the twig (if you know what I mean), and have heard that any kind of jarring and bouncing isn't exactly comfortable after that procedure. 

So, if I have a month (or maybe six weeks) to prepare for a 6.2 mile race, after training for 12 weeks for a 5K, is it possible???

Thanks,
Chad

sure anything is possible, but remember, you don't have to sprint the thing.  if you can only run/walk or run/jog/ or run/walk the hills it is a win.  just getting to the starting line is a win.

Your hesitation is telling... I'd follow your instincts and maybe leave it as a goal for next year.  Do you know how HOT it is on July 4th in Atlanta? Plus the course is all black tar pavement, with so many people.  I can't breathe just thinking about it.  I'm doing my first 5K in years on April 8th, but I used to do 5K's back when I lived in Atlanta in the mid 90's.  No way do I feel ready for the Peachtree and I have no berries to be cut from the twig going on either.  Just lots of giggly fat to keep in check.  

On a side note, My DH and I signed up for the Jekyll Island Turtle Crawl, he to do the sprint triathalon, me to do the 5K.  Now that's a nice race, flat, ocean breezes, smaller crowds. 

Chad,

Like Bill said you don't have to run the whole thing I have heard that many people walk the whole thing.  Remember it is about doing something We have never done or pictured ourselves doing.  Who cares if you finish dead last (which is doubtful) at least you finished.  Believe me I have no aspirations on this being one of my fastest runs but I will finish.

If you decide to do it my only piece of advice comes from a friend that runs it, but may affect your 5K goals.  Her advice is to run in a qualifying race so you can submitt a time.  Even if this time puts you in the slowest wave which based on your performance it won't.  The reason for this is that if you don't have a qualifying time you are placed randomly in one of the last 4 or 5 waves.  So you will be standing around for a long time and you will be behind a ton of people some probably a lot slower than you.

I know you have the boulder dash comming up, but I would encourage you to do one of the qualifying races just to get a time.  The next one is in 2 weeks  which I will probably be doing.  Call me and we can meet for coffee to talk.  I am in my office today so if you are in yours it would be asy to hit starbucks.

Which one is in two weeks?  I think your approach about it being something I've never pictured myself doing is spot on.

I clicked through the registration, and see that it's asking for a qualifying time...

I can't meet today, but might give you a call later to discuss.

Chad

http://www.active.com/running/alpharetta-ga/8th-annual-jog-f or-a-cause-2011

this is another qualifier.
http://fallenheroesofgeorgia.com/

Already signed up for the first and I am thinking about the second.  I just like the cause.

Alright, I pulled the trigger!!

I've signed up for the Jog for a Cause next weekend (not exactly TWO weeks away, Paul.)  

So, I'll have my 5K time. 

Then I'll head to the snip-snip doctor earlier than expected, and have plenty of time to recover and train for the 10K the day after my 35th birthday!!! 

Thanks for the encouragement, friends.  And know that I'll be leaning on you for support along the way.

Chad

Awesome!

You can do it ... no shame in walkig some if you have. The biggest step is signing up !

 You can do it.  Last year I ran my first 5k in March, then a 4 miler in April and my first 10k in May.  I had to walk the a little and still managed to come in second in my age group.  No shame in walking. I have to tell you it is addicting!  I love running and I never thought I would say that!