Runnin the Rocks 10K

Second trail race of the Dirty Spokes Trail Race series was held at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers Georgia.

As usual the race started promptly at 8:30am.  The weather was great.  The trail was a new layout which was awesome!  The course utilized the mountain bike trails.  We started in the Steeplechase area coming across the grass leading on to double track.  A little less than a mile in the open double track dumped us into the woods for some very nice single track trail.  I was afraid with the rain we had earlier in the week the trail would be very sloppy however that was the not the case.   The new layout had three major hills to be tackled.  The first coming at mile 1.  Made quick work of that one.  From there is was getting into a groove.  The second would come around the half way mark before the only water station on the course.   This is the one section that I speed hiked up however as soon as I crested the hill I was back at it right past the water station.  The course continued for another mile or so before the last major hill.  I was determined to push through it.  Once at the top I cruised through the rest of the single track.  The single track dumped out on the field giving the runners about a 1/2 mile sprint to the finish line.

I was pleased with my time until I realized I just missed 3rd place in my AG by 12 seconds.  I got out sprinted to the finish.

Thank you to all the volunteers, course designers, and Dirty Spokes.  Love the new course for sure.

Next stop race 3 at Olde Rope Mill Park.

See ya on the trails!

Assault on Pine Mountain 5K trail race

Second race of the year however this was the first race of the Mountain Goat Adventure Trail race series.  There are four in total.  The race was out of Cooper's Furnace Day Use Area which is below the Allatoona dam on the Etowah river.

You could not have asked for better weather for the 5K trail run.  The race started  at 8:36 am after the 9 mile races had started.

The first 3/4 of a mile was on the road which after a hair pin turn we hopped on some single track winding out way back towards the landmark furnace.   From the furnace it was up the forest service road back on to the trail starting the 500 feet of climb we would do for the day.  Aid station was at the 1.5 mile mark about 1/4 the way up the climb.  Continue to climb making the way through the narrow single track, boulders, and stairs.  At mile 2.5 we began the decent with the trail popping out on the forest service road.  All down hill from there until we cross the finish line beside the furnace.

Finished 2nd in my age group.  Most of the participants were there to do the 9 mile race however there was still some good competition in the 5K.  The only confusing part which has never happened before but the garmin time was longer than the timing chip by 1:09.  I expect the distance to be off since the trails twist and turn however not the time.  I will go with the race time however I do not think I was that fast on the trail.

Thanks to the volunteers and Mountain Goat Adventures.  Looking forward to race #2 in the MGA Trail Race Series.