Since this year's Mercedes Marathon & 1/2 Marathon was held on Valentine's Day, I decided to add a little bit of 'love' to my race outfit even though I am not big on Valentine's Day.
It was time to go earn some Mercedes-Benz bling! Yes, the medal from the Superhero 5K was cute, but it wasn't what I came her for. I was ready to pound the pavement for 13.1 miles to earn my bling! Since this year's Mercedes Marathon & 1/2 Marathon was held on Valentine's Day, I decided to add a little bit of 'love' to my race outfit even though I am not big on Valentine's Day. Becky and I stayed at the Sheraton which was one of the host hotels for the race weekend. They were so accommodating to runners and really made us feel special. On the way out of the hotel on race morning, they had a station set up with free bananas and water for us. How sweet is that!?! I have stayed at may host hotels before where they sold runner food boxes, but this was an extra special touch in my opinion. The staff on hand for the weekend was also really excited for the race and made the runners feel special. The Sheraton was about a 5 minute walk to the race site so Becky and I headed over about an hour before the race started. Since it was quite chilly this morning, we decided to hang out inside of the auditorium along with several hundred of our closest runner friends. Seriously, inside options for pre/post race in winter is always a huge plus for me! Becky and I hung out inside for a bit, used the indoor restrooms, and met up with a few friends before heading out to the start. Becky and I headed out about 15 minutes before the 7:03am start time. We dropped off our bags at gear check and made our way to the start line. Just like the 5K, it was a self-seeded corral by pace. On our way through the corrals, I ran into my friend Katherine who was getting ready to run her 4th full marathon! Whoooop! We were on our way. With the marathon, half marathon, and relay runners all taking off together, there was a little bit of congestion in the first 1/3 of a mile or so but it wasn't too bad. We went off in one start, but I don't think the race deems needing "waves" to go off. We made our way through downtown Birmingham passing different parts of town including Railroad Park (which I really enjoyed), Regions Field, University of Alabama Birmingham campus, and several other parks and residential areas. Along the way, I heard several other runners mention how hilly the course is. Coming from Atlanta, I felt like it was a pretty great course with some minor uphill grades (a few 'tough' hills) but also had some generous downhill sections. From mile 6-8 there was about a 125+ total climb, but nothing too crazy. Today was about just having a comfortable run. I wasn't out to push myself today - I just wanted to enjoy myself. I ran a bit with my friend Katherine who was doing the marathon (two loops of the course) and she was rocking it! I also got to meet fellow Pro Compression Ambassador, Carson, along the way. It was great to find friends along the way to run a bit together. The course support was absolutely AMAZING! There were so many cheer stations along the way offering high-fives, cheers, music, candy, gummy bears, Gu, water, and even beer. Seriously, between the official aid stations and these awesome groups coming out, there was so much support and love along the way. My phone died early in the race for some silly reason, so I couldn't get pictures of all the fun along the way, but it was GREAT! There are very few races that I would rave about the course support, and this is totally one of them. Awesome support, great course, AMAZING race! After finishing I collected my bling (the closest I will come to a Mercedes Benz), received a heat sheet (much appreciated), made my way through the finisher chute for some water/PowerAde and fruit, and collected my finisher item of a athletic seat cover (perfect for those post-run sweaty drives home). I headed over towards bag check to get my belongings and met-up with Chelsea and Kathleen at the post race party inside of the auditorium - yay for warmth! Your bib had a ticket attached for a Jim 'n Nick's BBQ lunch at the post race party. While I did not take part in the meal, it was a great touch to the race weekend for sure. I met up with Becky and we cheered on Marathon finishers and the final half marathon finishers while we waited for her friend Robert to finish the marathon. Today was Robert's first full marathon! Originally he was running his first full marathon at Rock'n'Roll Savannah in November, but due to dangerous conditions that black-flagged the course, the race diverted the marathon resulting in most of the marathon runners to not get to complete the entire course. Today was his day! It was awesome to watch the marathoners coming in strong and even some earning a BQ! Every runner is awesome in his or her own way, but THIS GUY is beyond awesome! I don't know him, but I think we could totally be friends. He ran a marathon, in a tutu, entertained the crowd coming down the finish chute for the last .1 mile....and ran a sub-3:30 marathon! I don't know you sir, but you are AMAZING in so many ways! Thanks to some pretty amazing tracking by Real Time Race Tracking, we knew right when Robert was coming. Man, he was blazing! He finished so strong and broke 3:45 on his first marathon! Wow! Just, WOW! After the newest member of "club 26.2" got through the finish line, he was greeted by smiles, cheers, and hugs. Without a doubt, Robert absolutely loved the banner that Becky made for him! There is something absolutely amazing cheering someone on to the finish line of their first marathon and I am so happy that we were there for Robert even though it was my first time meeting him. Becky and I headed back to the hotel to freshen up and gather our belonging before heading home. It was seriously an awesome race and one that I would definitely recommend. The registration price was about average for a half marathon (maybe slightly higher if that), but between the quality of the race, the course support, and the amazing swag, you really can't beat it. Thank you again to the amazing staff, volunteers, spectators, emergency personnel, and everyone else involved in making this race weekend possible. I give this race two thumbs up without a doubt and look forward to hopefully getting to return in 2017 for another awesome weekend! Question of the Day: What are your favorite snacks to receive on race course?
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BrandiI love to run and most importantly I love to have FUN while I run....I am the "Funner Runner" Feedspot's Top 100 Running Blogs
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February 2020
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