Winner Announcement - Allstate Life Insurance Atlanta 13.1 Marathon

The winner announcement is here and the race will be in just one week.  The winner for the Allstate Life Insurance Atlanta 13.1 Marathon has been randomly chosen and it is time to give one lucky runner the opportunity to run for free!

Before we get to the announcement, make sure that you sign up with the discount code QUEST10OFF131 if you are not the winner.  The code is good until online registration closes in the next few days and is only good for the half marathon distance.  You may want to think about registering today since the next price increase is tonight.

Allstate Life Insurance 13.1 Atlanta Entry Giveaway

The Allstate Life Insurance℠ Atlanta 13.1 Marathon® is less than two weeks away and it is time to do a lightning round race entry giveaway.

First I want to mention that if you don't want to take a chance by letting the race sell out you can register today and even get a discount while doing so by using the $10 off discount code QUEST10OFF131 which is good till online registration closes on October 3rd.  You can register for the Allstate Life Insurance℠ Atlanta 13.1 Marathon using the above code through the official Atlanta 13.1 Marathon Registration.

Winner Announcement - The Allstate Life Insurance Atlanta 13.1 Marathon

The long awaited... overdue... winner announcement is finally here.  The winner for the Allstate Life Insurance Atlanta 13.1 Marathon has been randomly chosen and it is time to give one lucky runner the opportunity to run for free!

Before we get to the announcement, make sure that you sign up with the discount code QUEST10OFF131 if you are not the winner.  The code is good until online registration closes and is only good for the half marathon distance.

And now on to the winner

There were a total of 54 entries which I ran through random.org.  The lucky number came up as 31 and the lucky winner is....... Jack Bruce, proving that more isn't always better, sometimes you just have to be the lucky one :)  Jack - please email me at info@262quest.com and I will get the instructions over to you on how you can register.


Keep your eyes pealed, as rumor has it that I have one more opportunity to win coming up very soon!


Win a Race Entry for the Allstate Life Insurance Atlanta 13.1 Marathon

The Allstate Life Insurance℠ Atlanta 13.1 Marathon® is right around the corner and I am embarrassed to say that I am no where near where I need to be in my training to take on the half marathon distance.  I could go on and on about all the reasons why, but today the post is for all of you.

First I want to mention that the next price increase is in just a few hours at midnight August 23rd.  Don't miss this opportunity to get it before the $15 increase, and also don't forget to sweeten the deal by using the $10 off discount code QUEST10OFF131 which is good till online registration closes.  You can register for the Allstate Life Insurance℠ Atlanta 13.1 Marathon using the above code through the official Atlanta 13.1 Marathon Registration.

Officially Registered - Allstate Life Insurance 13.1 Atlanta

I have officially registered and committed to the 2012 Allstate Life Insurance℠ 13.1 Atlanta.  I have a lot of training to get done and a long way to go, but there is nothing better than a commitment to help get focused and in the right mindset.  It has been a long time since the following words have graced my inbox, but I look forward to seeing it a lot in the future.
Congratulations! You are now registered for 2012 Allstate Life Insurance Atlanta 13.1 Marathon® on Sunday, October 7, 2012. 
 I am not sure if running the Peachtree Road Race yesterday helped or hindered this decision given the outcome, but the trigger has been pulled.  Yesterday's race was my first 10k since the last Peachtree a year ago, and the last time I had run 10k in nearly as long.  It was a slow and hard race, the slowest 10k I have ever run.

Building Mileage

It has been and continues to be a long trip back from injury, but I have started to make some progress that actually feels like that - progress.  I spent nearly a month running no more than 1 mile at a time, and not very many times a week.  I then graduated up to 2 miles, and then finally 3.1 miles where I have been for some time once again.

There has just been something about going beyond the 3.1 mile distance that has been intimidating, even to the point that it seemed that I would never make it beyond the 5k distance.  That is, until this past week.

June 2nd was a really nice Saturday, but I had a lot on my plate.  I finished up a couple things and then headed out for a late morning run.  69 degrees and sunny and yet I still almost talked myself into cutting it to the 3.1 mile distance again.  The discipline won out and I ran my first 4 miler in over 6 months!

The run was slow, but consistent with splits of 10:09, 10:08, 10:06, and 9:32 which I was very pleased with given the hills I once again started to incorporate into my run.  I dropped back to the 3.1 and even 2 mile distances since then and just today ventured out for my second 4 miler.  Today's splits were not quite as consistent, but in the end a bit faster at 10:22, 9:59, 10:04, and 9:18.

It is hard to believe that I had not run 4 miles straight since November 22nd, but I guess these times will come.  I have a long way to go still, but I will get there.  The next time I post I will be officially registered for my first 13.1 back after the injury..... how is that for motivation?

Keep the encouragement coming, and tell your friends about 26.2 Quest!

Missing and out of Action

While running was something I craved for so long, recently I have found it to be little more than a chore.  I guess that is what the road to recovery looks like after an injury that doesn't ever seem to give in.  Maybe someday I will relive through words all I have been through these past months but for now I want to focus mainly on what the future holds.

The decline started well before the debilitating injury and so I have had to sit out two big races that were previously on my schedule.  Some of that has been chronicled here on the site, but honestly, I find it difficult to write about running when I can't lace the shoes up and feel the wind in my hair and the bugs in my teeth.  The 13.1 Atlanta was the first of those, while the second was the Publix Georgia Marathon.

Publix Georgia Marathon Race Entry Winner #4



The fourth and final race entry giveaway for the Publix Georgia Marathon has finished and it is time to pick the winner.  This one drew the most entries so it could really be anyone’s entry.  If you are not the lucky winner there is still time to get registered with a $10 discount using the code: 262QUEST when checking out.

The One Month Countdown

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I really wish I could be one of the ones that was nearing the taper, but The Publix Georgia Marathon was not in the cards for me once again this year.  A bum calf has played it’s part with keeping me off of the roads and trails, and also from the starting line this coming March 18th when thousands of runners line the streets of Atlanta.

If you thought that it was all about the marathon you would be mostly right, but in case you were not aware, there is a lot more than just an enjoyable 26.2 mile stroll through the streets of Atlanta.

Free Race Entry for the Publix Georgia Marathon



We are just one month away from the Publix Georgia Marathon and just a few short days away from the bitter sweet taper for many would be marathoners.  Race day may be getting close, but there is still a chance to get in on the big day whether it be by hitting the Publix Georgia Marathon Registration Page before the next price increase on February 16th, or by winning the chance to run for free.

If you have not yet registered you can take advantage of the price before it increases in just a couple days, but don’t forget to use the discount code: 262QUEST to receive an additional $10 off the current race entry fees.

Publix Georgia Marathon Race Entry Selection



It has been a few days since the entries closed and so it is time to select a winner for the free Publix Georgia Marathon race entry.  March 18th, aka Race Day, will be here before we know it and thousands of people will be warming up along the streets of Atlanta, ready to take that 26.2 mile journey from being just a goal to a completed reality.

There is still time if you have not yet registered to run either the full or the half marathon.  If you are just now registering don’t forget to use the discount code 262QUEST to take $10 off the current registration price at the Publix Georgia Marathon Registration page.

Options To Run The Publix Georgia Marathon

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In recent announcements it is clear you have many options with both registration and running the Publix Georgia Marathon or one of the other races that day.  Of course you have the option to run free by entering to win the current race entry giveaway right here on 26.2 Quest, but a very cool partnership with the Atlanta Hawks can give you a discount off of the current Publix Georgia Marathon Registration.

When the Hawks win at home, runners benefit with a registration discount. Last night the Hawks won their game against the Portland Trail Blazers in a 92-89 victory which means that if you register today with discount code HAWKS you will get $3 off your registration since the point spread was 3 points.  Further information is available here about the Publix Georgia Marathon Sponsorship with the Atlanta Hawks.

Win a Free Entry To Run The Publix Georgia Marathon



If you were not able to secure your spot to run the Georgia Marathon in one of the past giveaways you have another chance.  With the Publix Georgia Marathon just 2 months away on March 18th I hope you are already training if you want to run the 26.2 miles, but if not this entry will also work if you are more of the half marathon type.

The US Road Sports group has offered yet another lucky runner the opportunity to run the marathon or half marathon for the highly discounted rate of $0.  All you need to do is provide the training and transportation which is the easy part right?

What Does it Feel Like to Not Run?



I am sure there are many ways to describe what it feels like to not run, but to a runner not many of the explanations are positive.  As runners we are always looking forward to the next run, sometimes even while we are running.  To our non-running friends we are talking as if we are from another planet we we stress about missing a run or when we long to run when something is keeping us from it.

The year that just closed it’s doors is one that I will not miss when I think about running.  2011 was littered with pain, disappointment, and frustration when I discuss my year in running.  The year started off with disappointment, and never let up.

Run, Chipper, Run

Today’s post is the first guest post for 26.2 Quest.  The post was written and submitted in late November but if you haven’t noticed the posts have been few and far between this past month and I neglected to get it posted until now.  The post was written by Chipper Nicodemus who works for Healthline.com, and was written about his experiences leading up to and conquering a big PR in a Thanksgiving Day 10k.

Look Who Is Running The Georgia Marathon For Free!



The Publix Georgia Marathon is quickly approaching and the winner best be already training.  The giveaway started just before Christmas, but the gift of being able to put yourself through torture for 26.2 miles is being given away now.

March 18th will be here before you know it, and those running will be heading through the streets of Atlanta to once again claim victory in the battle against the hilly marathon and half marathon courses.  If you have not yet registered there is plenty of time and you can secure your spot for $10 less than the current rate by using the discount code 262QUEST when signing up.