Red Top Rumble

With my first 100K looming in a week, I was only slightly excited about the GUTS Red Top Rumble 11.5 mile trail race on Saturday. My mind is focusing on a LOT of time on my feet next week and I hadn't been able to get jazzed about a trail race like I might normally.

Dave and I met up of Barrett Parkway to make the last bit of the drive up together. It was a cold morning so a coffee was in order. A cup of joe and interesting conversation with the mini-mart employee around 7 am livened up the day. We got there a good hour early after a bit of a slide on some black ice headed into the park. Was hoping the trails weren't as icy as the road!

As usual, the GUTS folks had everything well organized at the start. Dave and I got numbers and then headed back to the car to stay warm and have some in-depth discussions about what clothing to wear. He convinced me that a single thin shirt would be fine and that he was wearing the same.....more on that later.

Managed to pry myself out of the car around quarter till and socialized a bit. The GUTS group was well represented with lots of members running and helping with the race. With little fanfare, Dave and I lined up as instructions were given. Start was right in the parking area which was good since there were 350 people that would need to get sorted out a bit before we hit the trails. About this time I'm freezing and happen to notice Dave with a jacket one. Traitor! :)

.....and we are off. I'd decided to wear trail shoes but after the first three miles I was wondering if it was a smart choice. The first stretch was fairly flat, wide, and smooth trails and I was ticking off well under 7 minute miles.......and then the fun started. I saw a course arrow point left and look over and thought "where is the trail?". We turned onto what appeared to be a small stream! It was tight, wet, and hilly for a bit before we popped out on a fire road of sorts. A quick stretch on this and then a HUGE step up a bank back on to a nice single-track trail. The first hill had me a bit worried, as I got to the top and my legs felt like lead. Lots of miles the last month and I could feel every one of them. From this point it forward it was 8+ miles of up and down. Go up a bit, drop back down by the lake, repeat. The hills weren't too steep or too long, but they kept coming. I'd drop down by the lake and knew I'd be headed back up real soon. I got in to a groove and stayed fairly consistent with low 7 miles. I was 5-7th for the entire stretch..couple people passed me, I passed a couple people. But mostly I was alone and that is how I like it when I'm racing.

Plenty of aid on the course.....must have been 4 opportunities to get water/sports drinks/food but it was too cold to stop and I pressed on passed each on. Finished up strong and placed 5th OA in 1:18:19 for the 11.5 miles.

Can't say enough about the volunteers before, during, and after the race. First rate! Post race, Jaydene the RD pulled out all the stops with the food and giveaways! Tons of items raffled off. Barbecue, sides, bars, COOKIES, and a bunch of hot water and hot chocolate/coffee/soup mixes served up by cheerful volunteers. I mean......for a race of 350 it was out of this world!

Can't say enough good about the course.....absolutely beautiful trails. So many great views of the lake. All in all an excellent way to start the day.

Garmin Connect Profile: Watch showed 11 miles even but it tends to miss a bit on the twisty trails.

Garmin Connect - Activity Details for ATC Resolution Run 10K

Garmin Connect - Activity Details for ATC Resolution Run 10K

Ran the ATC Resolution Run 10K today. Nice crisp morning with a stiff breeze. Ran well given the wind a a decent tough course. 5th OA and 2nd AG I believe. 37:23.

Props to the ATC for getting a big crowd. First time you had to pay for the race, but it helped draw a big crowd.

Warrior Way 5K

I have to admit a little bias towards this race, as my good friend Dave is the head coach at N. Cobb High Xcountry and puts on the race......

Delane and I headed up for the race that starts at N. Cobb High. Perfect day for running.....45 degrees, not a drop of wind, and a clear sky. The course is pretty simple.......started on the road in front of the school, straight down Old 41 to Swift Cantrell Park, a quick loop through the park, back down Old 41 to a quick right into the parking lot and then finishes on the track.

The first mile is pretty tough....after a short stretch of flat it's a long climb up to the top of a hill that crests right before mile 1. Then there is a nice recovery down to the park. The loop in the park is short but a nice change and you can really work your way past people that are relaxing on this part. After exiting the park, there is a short but tough grind back up a hill to the 2 mile mark. The last mile is screaming downhill and then flattens out for the last 1/3 mile.

Great organization and a super community event. Finished 6th OA and 1st AG in 18:15. Certainly slower than usual, but it was my first hard run after a 4 week holiday from running after a stress fracture. Good to see Tommy, Emily, Bob, Nils, Kel, and the rest of the Mixed Nuts out there.