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DEL.ICIO.USI’m a couch potato with a Peachtree number
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
MARTA’s Doraville train station is about to be packed with Gwinnettians.
I’m a Peachtree Road Race repeater, so I know all about those Fourth of July NASCAR laps through each level of the parking deck until you speed into one measly MARTA parking spot.
Usually I’m hyped about:
Getting to Doraville Station early on the Fourth. Getting a seat on the train instead of standing up. Getting in months of long runs before the race, drinking a gallon of water a day, eating leafy green vegetables, and swallowing assorted protein supplements.
Not this year.
This year I’m just a couch potato with a number.
My meals consist of sugar, salt, fried foods and microwaveable products. My water supply comes from whatever percentage is in Diet Coke. My vegetable source these days is the lettuce stuffed inside a Taco Bell chalupa. Months and months of long training runs? Not on your life.
I’ve been overloaded with work stuff and family stuff and overstuffed with pizzas so I was left too tired to run around my Lawrenceville neighborhood this year.
Still, next week when I arrive at the Doraville station will all the other Gwinnett Peachtree Road Race runners, I’ll wish I had trained to run the full 6.2 miles instead of being a couch potato who will mostly be walking the race.
I’ll wish I had trained hard enough to be worthy of those $75 Nike running ensembles made of patented breathable fabric specially formulated to control sweating so I’ll look fresh for the race finish line photo ops.
I’ll wish I had spent weeks running up and down the back roads of Gwinnett County or through one of our many paved trails boastfully described on the web site of Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation.
I’ll wish my exercise routine had not involved just walking from my front door to my mailbox. Or walking around the Mall of Georgia from one end of the food court (buying a slice of pizza at Sbarro’s) to the other end (where I pick up a lovely scoop of Dippin’ Dots).
I’ll wish all this because after years of being placed in Time Group 9 at the tail end of the race lineup, three weeks ago a Time Group 3 number magically appeared in my mailbox.
Imagine that. The first year I don’t train is the year I end up right behind the Nike-clad seeded and sub-seeded runners who’ll have finished the race long before I’ve collapsed in front of Piedmont Hospital.
Talk about a couch potato doubled over the sofa in shock.
Are you hyped about running 6.2 miles down Peachtree Road or are you not leaving the comforts of your couch?
Permalink | Comments (22) | Post your comment | Categories: Jacqueline Bullard
Comments
By Gillain
June 28, 2006 07:58 AM | Link to this
I’m sick to death of hearing about people who get P’tree numbers and 1) don’t run or 2) get multiple numbers so that they can pick where they want to start. The best was the walker who told me she lies on her entry to get a higher number so that she can finish with her running friends, pushing people who really run back in the pack. The P’tree entry and “running” is a joke, with walkers taking up the entire roadway. Haven’t they heard of slow to the right, fast to the left? Share the road for Pete’s sake. Yes, I’m disappointed that I didn’t get a number, and when I read drival like this article it ticks me off!
By sheena
June 28, 2006 08:19 AM | Link to this
This will be my first Peachtree Road Race, and I am very excited……..Also people should not get mad because they didn’t get a number; you should have sent in your application sooner. And I think the writer did a good job with this article.
By RunnerWB
June 28, 2006 08:25 AM | Link to this
Yeah., I’m feeling kinda bad that I haven’t trained as hard for it this year as I should have. I was thinking about not doing it or selling my number.. However, I figure I have 4 more days to get all of the necessary training and will see how it goes. Last year was my first year and I was shocked to see all of the walkers. I was disappointed about that, why do people submit to walk in a race for runners?I can see if you started off running and then walked if you had to…but it is disappointing to see people just walking…
By LHK
June 28, 2006 09:12 AM | Link to this
I’ve been training a lot — actually, I run throughout the year — and yet I’m stuck in the final starting group for the second year in a row. Time group nine, with all the walkers. I’m going to try and trade my number with someone I know who’s in time group three but is not in any shape to do anything at the Peachtree besides hand out cups of water.
Last year, when I was finally able to break out of the pack of walkers, the race was tons of fun. But my first mile was slow going because I was behind people who were out for a leisurely stroll.
By Tony
June 28, 2006 09:32 AM | Link to this
The Peachtree Road Race is an event, not a race. You should know when you enter that there will be loads of walkers - just look around and be thankful that ordinarily sedentary people are out getting some exercize!
If you want to run the entire race: 1) Qualify by running a 10K earlier in the year to get a time so you can be in the sub seeded group. 2) Pick a different race
By RunnerWB
June 28, 2006 11:25 AM | Link to this
Thanks Tony…appreciate it…you didn’t have to sound so cruel. I will be sure to do that..that is a goal of mine for the year to run another 10k and I have run in other races as well and will continue throughout the year. The title as you have stated yourself say Road Race and not event. There are other races (excuse me..events) out there that have different starting lines for walkers and runners. This event does not…it is a hassle when running you have to run around walkers..it is really unsafe… Thanks
By Hotlanta
June 28, 2006 11:32 AM | Link to this
Tony I guess I will stop at Zesto’s and get me a giant Banana Spilt since we should be thankful that ordinary sedentary people are running the Peachtree.
By B.S.
June 28, 2006 11:57 AM | Link to this
No Tony, YOUR WRONG. It’s not the called the Peachtree Road Event it’s a race. And you and all the loser walkers, who just want a t-shirt are pathetic. I’ve benn in other races and major marathons and nobody walks in those! And yes it’s an EVENT for the spectators, not the comepetitors. So all of you out-of-shape clods get yourself a twelve-pack and some sub sandwiches and enjoy the RACE from the side of the road - as a spectator!
By Johane
June 28, 2006 12:07 PM | Link to this
I am praying for overcast skies this year again. This is my second year running and I guess I am in time group 7 (my number starts with a seven?) I really had fun last year and amazed myself that I was able to run the entire race. I hope to beat my time of 1:08. Good Luck to everyone.
By Justan Observer
June 28, 2006 02:10 PM | Link to this
Sorry folks - Tony’s right. It’s only a race for the initial time groups that have a chance of participating in a “competative event” (i.e. ‘race’). There are too many runners after these first seeded and sub-seeded groups to be able to actually “race”. I believe the Atlanta Track Club acknowledges this when a) they include printed material noting walkers should keep right, runners left, b) when they changed the group distribution to become random seeding across all time groups, and not by prior individual race results, etc. With 55,000 entrants, this is also the ATC’s biggest fund raising event of the year - and I’m not knocking it - I’m very happy that they provide an event that allows so many Atlanta residents to participate in a common, fun experience, and may encourage some to take up the sport. Lighten up people!! Get worked up over something else more important - like how come no one notices Superman is Clark Kent without glasses!
By Tony
June 28, 2006 02:20 PM | Link to this
FWIW B.S. - I am a runner. I’m not super fast or Kenyan or anything, but I have a sub 40 10K. My point was not to be cruel but to be compassionate.
The Peachtree Road Race is not a race for anyone who starts out beyond the seeded and subseeded numbers. It should be enjoyed and all the “runners” in the back groups should be encouraging to those who can’t run the whole way.
Enjoy your day RunnerWB!
By Steve
June 28, 2006 02:23 PM | Link to this
As mentioned, those who are serious enough to want to run should qualify with another race. If not, then enjoy the race in another timegroup. What gets me are those that jump in after the start and run something like a 9.3K race instead of 10K. That is cheating.
By Eileen
June 28, 2006 02:27 PM | Link to this
Actually, if you read the back of your P’tree number, it says in bold letters, “The Peachtree is an event, not a race, for most of us.” So let the walkers walk! But, walkers please keep to the right as it also says in the race materials.
By Terry
June 28, 2006 03:05 PM | Link to this
I stopped running the Peachtree when I had to dodge people walking in front of me that had a faster seeding. I also saw a couple jump in one mile from the finish to get the t-shirt.
Simple solution: Most road races give the t-shirt when you register. If the Peachtree Road Race did this, the couch potatoes could wear their t-shirt to the mall and never get off the couch and earn it. The course would be left to the runners and serious walkers. The t-shirt clock is a joke anyway.
By Falcon
June 28, 2006 03:23 PM | Link to this
T-shirt clock?
By Jenny
June 28, 2006 03:39 PM | Link to this
Horray for all the lazy fatties getting out there for 6.2 miles of sweaty whining. I am glad you are getting your exercise instead of fighting for a close parking space at Wal-Mart. If you are walking: PLEASE stay to the right. Some of us 56-minute runners are still seeded behind you.
And keep in mind that if you weren’t going to take it seriously, you shouldn’t have checked that box that said you were going to RUN it.
By mom3boys
June 28, 2006 06:53 PM | Link to this
I am not running this year. I did not train, and didn’t want to get in anyone’s way. My first race (2001) was like a religious experience. I trained so hard for so long, that I didn’t even know I had come to the “hard” hill until I passed it. I ran the entire race w/ out walking at all. I was so in the zone and so proud of myself. Two other years I was not as prepared, and it was simply not as much fun. It was an event to accomplish before I turned 40, and after doing so, I don’t feel compelled to do it again. Other than the first start group, no one is actually “seeded.” It’s simply the luck of the draw. I had a 9, 7, and 3. You just get what you get. Good luck to those in better shape than me!
By Joan
June 28, 2006 08:24 PM | Link to this
We have a group of 70 who make a mini vacation out of the Peachtree Road Race. We stay in a hotel for 2 nights and enjoy the race and Lenox fireworks. It takes a year of planning for this event. The way that we all look forward to the race makes it like Christmas in July for all of us!
By Julie
June 28, 2006 11:07 PM | Link to this
This will be my 25th year in the Peachtree. I am 37 this year. I remember when you could actually run the race and get a good time. I am happy now to run it and actually run it. There are too many people that are in this race. They need to limit the number of people in this race again. I think that it is ironic that the writer of the article trained and only got in the “9” Group those years and this year didn’t train and got in the “3” group. I thought things like that only happened to me! What happened to qualifying for the Peachtree? I remember running races around Stone Mtn Park and in Tucker (Charles Harris) when you had to qualify to get a # for Peachtree. Maybe since Julia is leaving now (great job Julia! BTW) things can change now…..
By Jay
June 30, 2006 01:57 PM | Link to this
If the walkers bother you… just qualify baby!
Any time submitted from a 10K will get you moved up in the pack. If I can get into group one anyone can. Once you’re in group one its easy to stay there. Just use your previous year’s P’tree time. For those that don’t know… if you’re in group one, or better you get a chip that attaches to your shoe. When you cross the starting line your time is registered through the chip. Your time at the finish is captured the same way. The ATC will mail you a time card prior to next year’s race which CAN get you into group one again. Hope everyone has a great time Tuesday. After all, that is what it is all about, right?
By CP
July 2, 2006 04:48 PM | Link to this
My FIRST PEACHTREE and Well- I’m one of those that will be run/walking in time group 9 and I AM SO PROUD OF MYSELF!!! I can run almost 3 miles now, and I’ve never done that in my life! (I’m 40 this year) So, thanks Tony for the kindness, and to the others, I promise I’ll do my best to stay to the right side of the road. I would never want to slow anyone else down!
By kelly
July 3, 2006 08:51 PM | Link to this
My favorite run was in time group 9! It used to be that we celebrated being the regular guys … the neighborhood warrior… You know guys… it is the same t-shirt… from 1 to 55,000! Have fun!!!!