“Oh….hey! Let’s do our next Half in Savannah!!!”, I say. And my girlfriends and I sign up with all intentions of running this race and having some fun times in The Peach State.
We signed up for Publix Women’s Half Marathon. For those that may not want to do the 13.1 miles, there was a 5k as well. This race took you through the beautiful parts of Savannah, starting and ending at Forsyth Park. (Remember Forrest Gump? Yeah…THAT park!)
The route….to my death! 😂
We were able to see parks and squares all throughout town. I saw parts of Savannah that I’d never seen or experienced before. I can not tell you how much I LOVE Savannah and the South! This was a treat!
Now…that I’ve given you the pretty, let’s get to the nitty gritty of it all. I began my training about 10ish (maybe a few more) weeks prior to this race. I have a running base, so I never questioned the amount of time for training. But then…life got in the way! I started off strong, keeping up with the training program from Nike Run Club. I always use their programs and can’t speak enough on how easy it is to follow and how much I enjoy using the program #notanAd . When life decided to creep in, ie BUSY KIDS…my training fell by the wayside off the map! 😂. I guess my body needed…or better yet CRAVED the rest because I didn’t run ONCE while on Spring Break with my family. I always…ALWAYS run on vacation! I had my clothes and shoes and yet didn’t go. I can’t explain why…but I just went with it, I guess.
In total, I exited the last 2 weeks of my plan. I should say 3 weeks because I only did ONE run in the 3 weeks prior to this race. My friend Terri and I had some #confessiontime, multiple times, prior to this race! Something like “I’m gonna die!” or “I’m not ready!“…or my favorite “I’m more excited about seeing you and eating at the restaurant than I am about this race!” You know…stuff like that! 😂. But we decided, we are going to do it, enjoy the race and place and more importantly enjoy being with each other! We agreed that this was not going to be a race that’d we would PR by any measure! We each ran our own race – *that’s race talk for “she’s faster than me and my slow behind was left behind“*
I didn’t mention that my IT Band started acting up again. I noticed it at my 10k in March, around mile 5. It’s not so bad to deal with because you only have 1 more mile to finish the race. However, this was something I did NOT want to revisit during my half. To me, this is just as bad as the ever present, pain in the butt shin splints (which I’ve had twice in my running life and NO thank you!). I started my ITB exercises again with the hopes I would be fine for race time….
7:30 am, race time! 
Don’t worry, Apple Watch! ‘Bout to…
It always feels like a cattle call when there are so many people at the start. It takes a few minutes to get in your groove, find your place in the pack and get that pace going. I eventually passed the 2:45 pace group and kept steady. I was looking to be between 2:30 and 2:45 any way, so I was stoked. “Oh…you think you’re gonna do this???” 💥BOOM💥. Per my previous run, I felt the tightness in my hip, which for me, is the precursor to the discomfort that comes with IT Band Syndrome. I really didn’t feel it much until mile 7, so thought I was pretty good. I was able to slow my pace a little and continue to run. By mile 10, it was tight and I felt knee some knee pain and I had to start run-walk intervals. I had 2:45 pacer on my back, but eventually she passed me! She stayed in my site for another half of mile or so, but I never managed to catch up. #bummer I stayed with the intervals until about mile 11.5 -12. When I went to run again, it was like someone stabbed me in my knee!! “This is IT!! This is how I’m gonna die! Die by IT Band Syndrome! They are going to find me on the streets of this BEAUTIFUL city…dead because I can’t run!” #whyyousodramatic 😂
I made the decision to walk the remaining 1.1 miles. I was mortified! I was ashamed! But then I had to check myself because there were women out here just like me doing there thing- running, walking, intervals, whatever! They were doing it and it didn’t (and doesn’t) matter HOW you are doing it! I realized that my body needed to walk because it was protecting itself from ME, honestly. Had I been able to run, I would have, no lie! But what would the consequence be? Injury, which equals time off ! Once I realized this, I surrendered and checked my ego and walked at a brisk pace.
Coming into Forsyth Park at mile 13, I saw Terri and Jerry (her Hubs). And what do you do when you see your friends and you want to celebrate finishing a half marathon?
A Gator Chomp, duh!!!! We are all Alumni and I needed to show Georgia where the {insert bad word} WE are from! 😂 #GoGators
Ain’t she cute!!! My girl, Terri❤️
Chip time -3:00.25
I wasn’t surprised to be honest. This time makes me 25 minutes slower than last year’s half. I was sad but I didn’t put much on that time because I know what happened prior to the race. “Training is, as training does” right, Forrest?
I will be prepared better next…if there is a next time. Terri and I both agree that our next trip/race will not be a half. Probably just focus on the 10k because I really enjoy the distance. 5k will always have my heart too! Right now, and particularly since I am older, life is busy and I don’t know if I have the time, dedication or desire to train for the half distance again. Additionally, the possible injuries that may occur after the race. I don’t know if I’m willing to stop running or working out because I hurt myself.
We were able to celebrate our race with a fantastic dinner at Alligator Soul. Their take on classic Southern cuisine is exquisite! BONUS??? Since three quarters of the group are Gators, how can this restaurant NOT be loved by us?? 
I can tell you what I didn’t like!!! Walking down those stairs to get to the restaurant! My God….my legs! Remember, they always say “What goes up, must go down“, right??!! Well, reverse it because I had to go up the stairs after dinner! 😂
Gumbo’s Baby Back
Red Deer
Lamb Chops
Only thing not picture was The “Little Hilbo” named after the owner which is a 16oz bone in Ribeye that I tried to devour! Everything was DELICIOUS!
We had such a good time and promised to not make it a year to see each other again!!! Both Terri and I are looking for races to do for our next trip! We are looking at you, Magnolia (Waco,TX). I’m counting the days until we can do it again!!
Thanks for taking my tour of Savannah and thank you Publix for such a GREAT race!
What have you been up to???
PS– if you are looking for a great place to stay while in Savannah, look no further than Mansion on Forsyth Park . 
Top Floor?? Where Hubs slept while I was DYING!😂
Hubs and I have had the opportunity to stay there 3 or 4 times and it’s our favorite spot in Savannah. Make it your business to get there, people! #notanAd
Mom, Miles, and Mishaps...... 