Vibha Atlanta Dream Mile 2023 - Atlanta - 10K - Race Recap

 I ran the Vibha Atlanta Dream Mile 2023 10K race on 17-Sep-2023 Sunday morning.

Races are such rejuvenating experience. This race was well organized and a pleasant experience. 

It was a drizzly week and this Sunday morning was cloudy, dark, maybe 66F and very very light drizzle for some patches. Summer running outfit & shoes sufficed for this weather.

This race covered all type - 5K, Run/Walk, 10K and Half Marathon. It was staggered one of the other, so the race route never got lonely. The route was round-about, starting from the mall, partially on Peachtree parkway, more on the western home areas and back. So, this route was definitely packed with numerous uphill & downhill. Rain somehow did not make it slippery. And I think I have gotten used to this topography (something I always cribbed about), because a volunteer complimented me on an uphill I was climbing twice or so, "I love how you are pacing yourself".

Volunteer support was of full enthusiasm. They were throughout the route, guiding runners and frequent water support. There was no scope for getting lost. Big chuck of the volunteers were SEWA kids - and they were the best cheerleaders - hyping us up with loudspeakers. One particular boy was very persistent in cheering the ladies, "Aunty Run Aunty you can do it" :) He hyped my friend with his repeated "Aunty run"  and he even ran the last patch with her. While she was pleasantly irritated by being called Aunty so much, she finished at a great time.

Water & electrolyte support throughout was great. 10K running got a medal at the end along with water, banana & protein bars. The booths put up were fun. Lot of food ones too and a photo booth with airdrop to transfer to phone. And the race end prize announcements were an event. My friend won 2nd prize in her age category. Super thrilling.

Packet pickup at convenient location Big Peach Running Co.

There is one improvement the organizers could do. That is to add the starting location & parking location info in the website and emails sent out. Its not boldly mentioned, so I emailed the question. Fortunately someone replied immediately, so I was good. Later my friend guided me to the start location. Its obvious once you have run the race before, but for the first timer, there was no address mentioned.

Great  race overall

Alpharetta Women's Half Marathon 2022 - Race Recap

 I signed up for  Alpharetta Women's Half Marathon  immediately after last years (2021) race. This year it was on 23-Oct-2021 Sunday starting at 7:30 am. Not as dark as last year, but colder than last year. This week was some unseasonal cold blast through the country.

Start point is in Avalon Mall, which is an open outdoor mall. Parking was in the usual mall places. Route experiences were entirely like last year's.

Once more thanks to those who wrote funny & motivational quotes throughout, I mean throughout, the 5-6 miles of Greenway. Kept us going throughout he difficult 2nd half.

Official race results says 3:28 finish time. The route had 0.40 miles more than the watch. I am taking this my new HM time benchmark considering current age, weight & inclines. Maybe I need more HMs in a year for practice & to increase my speed. But it was not lonely at the finish line. For that matter, throughout the second half, while I was chugging all engines fired jog, I was surrounded entirely by leisurely walkers - all.

Thanks to the Water support volunteers for the frequent water & Gatorade (watermelon flavor). Guides at almost every turn. The MC announcer with powerful voice. Starting point warm-up. Perfect parking spots. Spacious spread-out waiting areas.

Race gear was interesting. Pickup at Big Peach Running Store. Medal was a wine bottle cap - so multipurpose medal, that's good. Race shirt was comfy cotton - but if it was a tech material, I could use it in run training.

Alpharetta Women's Half Marathon 2021 - Race Recap

Training in Georgia climate & routes was great and made me ambitious about a race. Even overcome the cloud of pandemic fear and check out events around here. And much to my glad surprise, I found an upcoming race in my town. What better way to see my town by foot - but a supported run ? So I signed up for  Alpharetta Women's Half Marathon & 5K and landed here on the morning of 24-Oct-2021 Sunday at 6:15 am.

Early start at Avalon Mall, which is an open outdoor mall. Parking was in the usual mall places. It was still dark and could see the moon till it was bright after 8am. Being outdoor mall, there was perfect spacing among cliques of run-buddies. Once we squished together for the start time, out came numerous masks (including mine). Half a mile later, when the crowds thinned, it was easier to take the mask off. And no, mask did not hamper my half-mile performance in a race.

I signed up in September and usually an Oct-end race means tight clothing to match the almost 20F morning temps. That what I was dreading but was cautiously optimistic. Come race day, I dressed up like a usual summer morning run. Nothing to plan at all. Temps were between 50F to 70F. Unbelievable. 

The initial 6 mile route went around city roads, from Avalon mall to Northpoint mall. As promised, loads of inclines and then declines. Thankfully it was not as bad as it reads. 

At one point, we turned down to enter the Alpharetta Greenway. This decline was so steep, someone had actually chalked "Wheee" and the runners before me yelled the same :)

Kudos to those who wrote funny & motivational quotes throughout, I mean throughout, the 5-6 miles of Greenway. 

Last 2 miles were killers. The latch after Greenway exit, upwards till Web Road, then on Web Road with a left turn upwards to Avalon mall. Ahh such inclines in the last patch - such torture.

My watch said I finished at 3:10 hours. Official race results says 3 more minutes. The route had 0.20 miles more than the watch. Either way, I did not meet the goal of sub-3. But I guess I have to accept it now. Good thing the race had a 4 hour cut-off. It was not lonely at the finish line. There were 75 more finishers after me. Which means the finish line food & timer stayed for me - them being dismantled is my worst anxiety. 

Thanks to the Water support volunteers for the frequent water & Gatorade (watermelon flavor). Guides at almost every turn. The MC announcer with powerful voice. Starting point warm-up. Perfect parking spots. Spacious spread-out waiting areas.

 

I missed my Minnesota run buddies, familiar faces & places and crowds. Yet so lovely to get back to the actual race atmosphere. This is what makes us do things, we do not think we can do.