This was a VERY tough course. One of the few times I have not scouted the course before a race. I was surprised at the level of difficulty. The race started at the top of the hill and went approx 1/8 of a mile to the entrance of a neighborhood. I positioned myself at the front of the pack, but had some runners get in front of me right before the bell. GO! The runners in front of me started to run. I was blocked in by 3 races...one in front and on the sides! NO WAY, NOT AGAIN! This happened at the Atlanta Half! I dropped back a little and maneuvered to the left and passed them all. Broke to the front of the pack and led all the way down the hill. Running hard at this point...

Turned into the neighborhood. A police car was leading the way. Great! I'll take a police escort! I can just follow you and not look for directions! We got a few funny looks from ppl living in the neighborhood.

Once we turned into the neighborhood, HILLS! Big ones. Dropped the gear and hit it. I was thinking, "MAN, THIS IS A TOUGH FIRST HILL". I took a few seconds to glance around and thought the area was nice. MOO!!! What the? There were cows in a pasture off to the right. MOO right back to you, Mrs. Cow!

Kept the pace up and ran a 5:55 1mile. Everything going according to plan at this point. Surely (don't call me shirley) there wouldn't be alot of hills like this. WRONG!

Start of mile two and I hear footsteps behind me. At this point, I am NOT looking back. I read that looking back is a sign of weakness in a runner. It gives the runner behind you the sense that you're worried about them. I kept up the pace and start another hill. I get to the top and am feeling winded. It's COLD! I still hear footsteps behind me. I'm not looking!

Ok, at this point, my hands area REALLY starting to get cold. I tuck them into my long sleeves and keep going. No use. They started to go numb. No matter. Keep it up!

At the start of another hill, the footsteps I kept hearing are right next to me. D00d is wearing a red hat. We run together for a while and I thought, "he wants to pace"!

Hand are numb at this point. I can't close them, I can't squeeze them, and I can't really warm them. I stick them down into my pants (I know, VERY awkward running like that) and just keep running. Nothing I do will warm them! Can you get frostbite in this temp? NAW, surely not...

Red Cap paces with me for about 2 more mins, then makes his move. Another hill and he goes. I keep back no more than 10 seconds (i'd take a point and count to see how far back i was). This was a little under 2 mile. I was on his tail the whole time. He kept looking back! Weakness! I can take this guy! He's worried about me!

At the 2.5 mile mark, i realize that it's really going to be hard to catch Red Cap. I thought I would catch him at mile 2.85, but didn't have any legs left. The hills had taken their toll.

Final big hill and I start to gain on Red Cap. He's tired! He was almost 20 seconds ahead of me and I narrowed it down to less than 10! He keeps looking back at me, but I'm toast...

At this point, people are on their porches pointing at the police car with the flashing lights. We get a few waves from some of the residents. I wave back. I always wave back when people wave at me, no matter how tired I may be.

I just ran out of room. He was a better runner...today. I had no kick in my legs (half marathon last week?) and couldn't hammer out the last 1/5 of a mile...I always hammer out the last 1/4 to 1/5 of a mile. I couldn't today. IMO, if I would have had fresh legs, I win easily.

Not run a 1/2 marathon a week before a race, WEAR GLOVES.

The biggest thing was I didn't do my homework on this course. Very hilly and I hit the first few too hard, not knowing there were several other hills.

PAIN!!!!

My hands were soooooo numb, I couldn't feel them. When the blood started to rush back into them after the run, I was in SERIOUS pain. I saw a few other racers do the same thing. It took me almost 10 minutes to get my hands warmed up. Man, that was some SERIOUS discomfort. Ouch. I will wear gloves next time.

I congratulated Red Cap on beating me and then drank water and waited for awards. I knew I was 2nd OA.

Met a d00d that ran ultras. He talked about 100 mile runs and such. um, no thank you. sounds interesting, but not my thing. He was 3rd OA and 1st Master OA.



I think legs were just tired. I was really surprised I had no kick at the end.

A bunch of hills, too!


First annual race. Very small and low key. I think 75 runners registered.

The RD asked if it was a tough course and there was a unanimous "Uh Huh" throughout. He mentioned that be may change it next year to be less hilly.

I hope that they get a few more sponsors next year. Swag was ok. Red long sleeve cotton shirt is, um, really RED. :)

Since this race is really close to my house, I will probably run it again next year.