The 13.1 Atlanta is getting closer every day and the anticipation is building. Whether you are running this half marathon, another half marathon, or even a full marathon or beyond this fall, you are well into your training by now and probably have been both enjoying it and dreading it.There are many of you that have been out there training and putting many miles in, but are still waiting to see if you are the lucky winner of the race entry giveaway for the October 2nd stop of the 13.1 Marathon Series in Atlanta. Your wait is over as the winner has been chosen.I took all the entries and entered them into the custom 26.2 Quest random number generator (powered by Random.org. After the single, all powerful, much anticipated click - the number 12 was displayed in the result box. A quick count of the comments on the giveaway post reveals Robert Hammett as the one that will be lacing up his shoes with his race entry securely tucked away in his email.Robert, please contact me at info@262quest.com and I will forward over the code so you can get registered.If you were not the lucky winner, never fear! You can still register yourself, or I have one more race entry to give away in early September. Make sure you know as soon as the next giveaway goes live by “liking” the 26.2 Quest Fanpage, following @262quest on Twitter, or you can always subscribe via RSS. I have been quiet lately as I have been working a lot of hours, but I still get out on the Fanpage every once in a while and would love to have some running related discussions. Time to update your feed reader to something that says 26.2 Quest even more - http://feeds.262quest.com/262quest read more..
Thursday, 1 March 2012
Random Number Generator-Marathon Series-Half Marathon-Race Entry
Monday, 27 February 2012
Training Schedule
A lack of commitment with anything brings inaction and in most cases failure. It would stand to reason that the opposite would be true as well, and time and time again I have proven it to be. The problem comes with varying degrees of commitment, which lead to varying degrees of success.When it comes to running I so often find my self wavering, easily swayed, and in some cases lazy if I don’t have a goal or specific race on the horizon. That lack of goals and specific races was one of the factors in my less than stellar recent months. It is easy to skip a run when you don’t have a specific schedule, and it is easy to neglect having a schedule if you don’t have a race and goal which you have committed to.Commitment Brings Dedicated ActionWith my recent commitment to the Atlanta 13.1 Marathon I have found my running and dedication is finally starting to make the change in direction that it has needed for so long. I would like to say that once I signed up I was immediately adhering to a strict running schedule and that my running mojo was once again in full force, but I am still lacking one piece – the commitment to a training schedule.This weekend I will be committing to that training schedule as well. It won’t be too aggressive considering where I am now, but the key will be commitment so I can benefit from the dedicated action.Speaking of the 13.1 Atlanta, today is your last chance to enter to win a race entry. The 13.1 Atlanta race entry giveaway ends tonight and the odds are really good. Don’t forget to share the giveaway for even more chances to run the race courtesy of US Road Sports. Time to update your feed reader to something that says 26.2 Quest even more - http://feeds.262quest.com/262quest read more..
Thursday, 23 February 2012
Weather-Publix
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We are inside the last 30 days and the weather is starting to change to prepare for the cool morning temperatures that are sure to greet us as we line up on October 2nd in Town Brookhaven for the third running of the 13.1 Atlanta and the Karhu 5k. The fall weather in Atlanta is some of the best when it comes to running weather, and the Atlanta stop to the 13.1 Marathon Series takes full advantage of it.If you haven’t heard yet, the course has changed slightly this year to encompass a new start and finish line. I mentioned it a couple months ago when the new course was announced, but it is summarized nicely in this recent press release:The new start line has been improved and will feature wider lanes with less congestion allowing for a smoother transition to accommodate all the participants. For the finish line, Town Brookhaven will add a festive atmosphere for the runners who have completed their 13.1 mile journey and want to celebrate a personal victory. Located in the Town Green, the new start/finish area will be adjacent to the recently opened hybrid Publix at 104 Town Boulevard in the Town Brookhaven development off Peachtree Road. For more information and to read the full press release click hereIf you are planning on running the 13.1 Atlanta or if you are planning on running the Publix Georgia Marathon in the spring you need to take a look at the ATL Challenge. The ATL Challenge rewards runners who complete both the 13.1 Atlanta and the Publix Georgia Marathon or Half Marathon. Make sure you check out the details and get signed up for for the ATL Challenge, as well as the 13.1 Atlanta and Publix Georgia Marathon or Half Marathon.So, you want to run the 13.1 Atlanta and you haven’t signed up yet? Or maybe you have signed up, but you are trying to talk someone into running it with you? You still have time to register and it is not too late to build a few more miles into the schedule before race day if you have found your motivation lacking lately.Or….. Run the 13.1 Atlanta for free!Your other option is to take advantage of US Road Sports generosity and run the race for free! One of you will be walking (or running) away with a free race entry for just taking a moment to enter below and sharing this giveaway with all your friends.The Giveaway:One lucky winner will receive a FREE entry into the 2001 13.1 Marathon Atlanta which will be run at 7:00 am on Sunday October 2nd. Entries will be taken through September 20th and the winner will be chosen randomly on Wednesday the 21st.To Enter:Do any of the following, each will count as an entry:Leave a comment, any comment…. but this is so easy you could enter at least one other way.Share the giveaway on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Dailymile, your blog, or by telling your friends, neighbors, or everyone at your local running club. Just send them back here: 262qst.com/lFc4l Follow the @131Marathon Twitter account, or Like the 13.1 Marathon Fanpage.If you decide to go crazy you can get a lot of entries, just leave a comment for each one to ensure no entries are missed. To make sure you don’t miss the winner announcement make sure you join the 26.2 Quest Community at the 26.2 Quest Fanpage, follow the @262quest Twitter stream, and subscribe via RSS. There is always something going on and I would love to have you as part of the community! Time to update your feed reader to something that says 26.2 Quest even more - http://feeds.262quest.com/262quest read more..
Wednesday, 22 February 2012
Half Marathon-Karhu
I have been talking a lot about the 13.1 Marathon Atlanta both so you could have a chance to win race entries and also because it has been one of my favorite races to run these past two years. I won’t go into a lot of details today, but sadly I won’t be running it this year. I waited this long because I was hoping that I would be able to somehow get ready for it, but I am not in the condition I need to be to run a half marathon.That won’t be the case for many runners though, and you still have time to join the group of runners calling Town Brookhaven by the beloved name – finish. The online registration closes tonight, but you still have time to get registered online with a $13.10 discount by using the code: BROOKHAVEN131 Don’t delay because the only opportunity you will have to register after tonight will be by walk up on Friday and Saturday.You say you are not ready to run a half marathon yet? In case you were not aware, there is also a 5k distance race, the Karhu 5K, with a chance to win your very own pair of Karhu shoes by beating the Karhu bear in the “Beat the Karhu bear” challenge. You have a pretty good chance of winning as I will not be competing with you (or getting in your way intentionally) This also means that I won’t be going home with an always colorful pair of Karhu’s, but my time will come. You can get all the details about the Karhu 5K race and your chance at the shoes in the recent press release.If you are registered to run, or know someone that is, did you know that you can either be tracked or track those you are supporting? It is easy, make sure you go and check out the Live Entrant Tracking and get registered.A lot of information is available for those running, watching, or living around the race course. To stay up to speed and get your questions answered head over to the 13.1 Marathon Fanpage, but a few items of specific interest could be the Participant Sheet, Road Closing and Course Information, and of course information about packet pickup and other information can be found on the race website: www.131atlanta.comI won’t be running, but I plan on still showing up on race morning to help and cheer you all on. If you have a moment try to look me up. I know it would help if I tell you where you can find me so I will try to narrow it down a bit by telling you to look somewhere around Town Brookhaven……See you on race day!! Time to update your feed reader to something that says 26.2 Quest even more - http://feeds.262quest.com/262quest read more..
Tuesday, 21 February 2012
Karhu
I once again was able to enjoy the 13.1 Atlanta, however this year was a little different than the previous two years. I was really looking forward to running this year and trying out the new course, but alas it was not meant to be. It is crazy how fast you can lose fitness while injured and eating too much, I just wish I didn’t know so much about it.Even though I was not able to run I still decided to make my way down to Town Brookhaven to cheer everyone on and to give you a little insight into race day, at least from my point of view. I cannot even begin to image how early the race director and key volunteers had to get up to get everything ready for race day. I woke at 4:00 and was on my way at 4:30. By the time I was driving down Peachtree the cones were already completely set in place just waiting for the race to start. I arrived at Town Brookhaven to find nearly everything ready, and yet it was only 5:15.While walking around and checking out the start and finish it was quickly apparent that the start would go much smoother than it had in the previous two years. The corrals were set up with the official start opening up wide. In previous years the space narrowed after the start which caused slow downs and even walking after crossing the start. This year as I watched, everyone that wanted to was running easily as they started their race.With a field of 3,300 - or actually 3,299 since I wasn’t running :) Town Brookhaven didn’t seem too crowded and there were plenty of places for everyone to warm up. I stood near the front and watched the cars pour in and was lucky enough to meet and talk to Barefoot Runner Michael Sandler from www.runbare.com who was making his way through Atlanta to promote his recent book release of Barefoot Running.There were some very exciting results with two new course records, and only one runner beating the Karhu Bear in the “Beat the Karhu Bear Challenge” All I have to say is that was one fast bear!Emmanuel Ngatunyi, of Marietta, Ga., won first place in the male division with a time of 1:03:59. The 18-year-old established a new race record by blowing away the previous mark of 1:08:03. Reuben Mwei, of Acworth, Ga., took second place with a time of 1:04:33, while Jynocel Basweti from Marietta earned third place with a time of 1:07:30. On the women’s side, Lilian Mariita, 23, of Marietta, shattered the women’s race standard with a time of 1:17:28 (previous record 1:21:39). Placing second was Justyna Mudy from Rome, Ga., with a time of 1:17:46, and Meggan Franks of Starkville, Miss., took third with a time of 1:20:37. The Karhu 5K provided an extra incentive to all competitors as the Finnish shoe company encouraged all runners to try to "Beat the Karhu Bear." The first 10 runners who "Beat the Karhu Bear” were to receive a coupon for a FREE pair of Karhu running shoes. Only one runner was able to accomplish the challenge as 14-year-old Danny Shaughnessy of Douglasville, Ga., was just six second better than the bear – coming in with a time of 0:19:41. The Bear costume was worn by Andrew Mearns of Atlanta as he placed second with a time of 0:19:47. The complete results can be found at www.131atlanta.com and the 13.1 Atlanta Marathon and Karhu 5K Results Press Release is also available in it’s entirety.It once again was a successful race, and one I am sorry that I was not able to run. I will now be turning my sights on other races, one of which will be the Publix Georgia Marathon in March, which is also a US Road Sports race, just taken to the next level. Make sure you keep an eye on www.262quest.com, the RSS Feed, the 26.2 Quest Fanpage, and the @262quest Twitter account. I don’t have a commitment yet, but I will see if I can work out a couple race entry giveaways for my loyal readers.Did you run the 13.1 Atlanta? If so, tell us about it and feel free to post a link to your race report in the comments. Time to update your feed reader to something that says read more..
Sunday, 19 February 2012
Elite Runners-Finish Line
In every race there are so many different types of runners, and many different types of winners. Of course there are the ones we all hear about, the ones that cross the finish line first. The ones we don’t hear about as much are those that are completing a new distance, or crossing the finish line for the first time. Some have overcome insurmountable odds, and others are out running as part of their commitment to take their health and fitness serious for the first time in their life.These are just a few of the winners that will lace up their shoes on the first Sunday morning in October if you ask me, but today we are talking about yet another type of winner for the Atlanta stop of the 13.1 Marathon Series. Last week we announced the second free race entry giveaway for the quickly approaching 13.1 Atlanta. The entries rolled in throughout the week and it is now time to randomly pick the runner who will be attaching the bib courtesy of US Road Sports.Speaking of winners and the 13.1 Atlanta, the field of Elite Runners were just announced yesterday and contain the likes of Reuben Mwei, Emmanuel Ngatunyi, Jynocel Basweti, Cory Baumann, Martin Hernandez, and Daniel Kirwa for the men while Tamara Karrh, Lilian Mariita, and Risper Geswaba will be battling it out amongst the other women. You can read the complete Elite Runner Press Release for more information on the individual runners.And the winner is……And now on to the reason at least a few of you are reading. There was a total of 27 entries which I put into the handy random.org number generator shown to the left. After the quick click of the button the number 7 appeared revealing Pam Burrus from Moms RUN This Town on Facebook as the round two winner of the 13.1 Atlanta race entry. Pam, please contact me at info@262quest.com so I can send you the code so you or a friend can get registered. I need to hear from you by Sunday night or I will need to pick a new winner so we can make sure the free entry gets put to good use.If you are not the winner and still need to register, you can still register online up until the 28th and make sure you use the discount code: BROOKHAVEN131 to get $13.10 off of your race entry. While you are registering don’t forget to register for the ATL Challenge.Don’t forget to connect with 13.1 Marathon for more information about this and many other races. You can connect with 13.1 Marathon on Facebook and on Twitter at @131marathon. You can also connect with 26.2 Quest on Facebook and on Twitter at @262quest. Time to update your feed reader to something that says 26.2 Quest even more - http://feeds.262quest.com/262quest read more..