I finally ran another half marathon! It’s been two and a half years since my runDisney Princess half, and in that that time I had baby #2. I somehow was able to find the time and stamina to run another 13 mile race! I am so proud of myself because this time around it was no cake walk getting back in shape and finding the energy to run. BUT I did it! I joined Rogue Rising, which is a virtual branch of Rogue Running, to help keep me motivated and properly trained. It kept me honest and I followed the program the best I could, and am very pleased with my race! 4 Bridges Half Marathon in Chattanooga Tennessee was my best choice for it’s proximity (2 hours from where I live) plus it had great reviews! Read on for my full 4 Bridges Half Marathon in Chattanooga Race Review!
Packet Pickup
I decided to grab my packet the moment I got into Chattanooga Saturday evening. This was a good idea since race morning logistics were a bit hectic. Though on Saturday there were two festivals going on in the same area, and I was lost completely on where to go for my packet. Luckily, I found some other runners walking around with their packets and they pointed me in the correct direction. It ended up being nice that I got familiar with where the start line was so that the next morning I had a better idea of where everything was.
The packet pickup was a no frills situation at the start/finish line in Coolidge Park. They had a few tents, one for Fleet Feet and a small merch one. It was definitely not an “expo” in the runDisney sense, but it got the job done. The only reason to go to the pickup was to avoid the lines the next day. Since they have a 5k, 10k, half and full marathon, being prepared was clutch for race morning. It was a bigger race than I thought and there were so many runners in the morning, I felt good having my bib pinned and ready to go when I arrived!
Pre-Race
Hotel
We chose to stay at the Drury Inn at Hamilton Place, which is nowhere near where the race takes place. It was about a 20 min drive to the start. I chose this specifically because I have stayed downtown and found it to be too loud for me, though I am an incredibly light sleeper. I also thought our room was a bit too loud for me at the Drury, though my husband tells me it really was quiet and I’m a super sensitive sleeper (which it true). So, I didn’t sleep great, but honestly who does the night before a race anyways? It was a great place to stay and all the staff were very kind. I highly recommend it if you are in the area!
Getting There and Morning Logistics
I took an Uber to the start line so my family could take their time getting there when I finished. The half started at 7:30 am and I got my Uber at 6:10 am. This worked out so I was there an hour early and had time to drop my bag and use the toilet. It was pretty hectic in the bag drop/packet pickup/toilet area. I got in three separate lines before I found the one for the toilets. I ended up having enough time, but the marathoners seemed a bit more nervous since they started at 7 am. The marathoners ended up getting pulled aside for a separate bathroom area so they didn’t miss the start to their race.
After the crazy bathroom situation I waited for a place to line up at the start. Though no one really “lined up” until 10 mins before the race started. The pacers were mixed into the crowd, and it was hard to see them; it really felt like a jumble at the start line. Coming from many runDisney events in the past where corrals are clearly marked and organized, this felt chaotic. Even though it was crazy, it’s always fun being with all the nervous runners ready to take off and run our race!
Start Line
I saw the 2 hr and the 2 hr 15 min pacers and figured I would land somewhere in between them. That was honestly the only real time I saw either pacer, I was on my own most of the race running my own goal splits. The 10k and half marathon runners took off at 7:30 am, so there was a large crew running for the first miles of the race. The “start” was pretty abrupt and there was no countdown or anything, they just said “go!” and everyone was off. Even though I was confused with this send off, I was excited and ready to run!
Race!
Miles 1-3
I was feeling great those first miles of the race! We ran over our first and second bridges of the “4 Bridges” and it was beautiful! The sun was rising over the river and I couldn’t help but stare and smile as we made our way across each one. We then made our way to a trail next to the river and back past the start line. There was so much support and cheering it made for a fun kick-off to the morning! Right around mile three there was an odd “off-road” portion where we ran on grass, but it didn’t slow us down!
Miles 4-6
We then ran over our third bridge and then to probably the least scenic portion of the run. It was mostly boring streets and a loud area that was possibly a train depot? I focused on my paces and nutrition and said goodbye to the 10k runners at mile 5 when they peeled off to finish their race. At mile six we entered a riverwalk trail with a real bathroom next to a hydration stop. It was nice they had those bathrooms available (though I didn’t stop for any).
Miles 7-10
The miles didn’t really start hitting me until mile 7 where I could feel some fatigue in my legs. It wasn’t bad, I just didn’t feel like I was invincible anymore. At this point in the race the course doubles back at mile eight and a half, so I started seeing the leading runners shoot past me. I really enjoyed seeing the racers ahead of me coming back down the riverwalk! It was a lovely feeling of community among the runners as we cheered for one another and encouraged each other to finish the race!
One thing to note around mile 10 or so there were some STRONG smells. Maybe a water treatment area, but the sulfur smell made me gag a little. Those with really sensitive noses, just be aware! I can’t imagine smelling that at mile 22 of a marathon! Yuck! Luckily the riverwalk is gorgeous and I loved seeing people out on boats on the river and steam rising in the morning light.
Miles 11-13.14
The last few miles of the race were WILD. I had NO idea that the “hills” they talk about are all at the end of the race, and they are brutal! The good news is that you are almost done, the bad news is that your legs are already shot. I literally said “oh no, they didn’t” when I saw the first hill. It’s intense. And then it gets worse! They have TWO sets of stairs you have to go down! I was feeling pretty good during my half so it wasn’t too bad, but if I were at the end of a marathon I would have 100% fallen on my face at that point. It was bizarre. But it definitely wasn’t boring and kept you guessing those last few miles. No long flat slog to the finish, just an exciting obstacle course! 
The last bridge is right at the end of the race and it was lined with spectators and folks cheering. It was so fun, and it gave me an extra kick as I closed my race. I ran as fast as I could into the finish chute and clocked a little faster pace (for that short time) which felt amazing!
Post Race
I grabbed my medal and found my family waiting for me. My 5 year old demanded I run with him right after my race, which I did! It says something when you can chase your kiddo after running 13 miles. There was music and lots of people celebrating with family and friends at the finish area. I grabbed some snacks like my post race donut and chocolate milk (winning!), and snapped a few pics. We were on a tight schedule to get back to our hotel and check out, so I couldn’t enjoy the party for too long! It was a good time though!
Overall Thoughts
Even though there were several “Eh, that’s not great” moments to this race, I still really enjoyed it! Would I run the marathon here? Heck no! Stairs?! Are you kidding me?! BUT, the half was so fun, the support was amazing throughout the race. I really felt like the city showed up and made the race even better. It was a beautiful course and it wasn’t hilly until the very end. Personally, I executed my race exactly how I wanted to. I had trained for a 10 mimute mile and actaully fully stayed under that with a 9:40 average pace. And I felt like I still had gas in the tank at the end, which is incredible!
So while there were some “unique” moments to the race weekend, overall it was a great race. It’s especially wonderful if you are local and/or have family in the area as it truly felt like a community event. Chattanooga is a special city with a wonderful vibe that keeps me wanting to visit again and again! I’m so grateful that I was able to make this race happen. With the stress of life and kids I almost thought that I should just not go. I am so glad I did and checked off 
half marathon number 13 at the 4 Bridges Half Marathon in Chattanooga TN!
Don’t forget to check out my full list of past races with their reviews HERE!
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