First race of the Dirty Spokes trail running series. Getting to the race was an adventure in itself. Probably the worst fog I’ve ever driven through. Arrived about an hour before race time and its a perfect 50 deg. The normal community feel was a bit off because of covid, so we (my wife is running the series too) waited in the car. The race started right on time, I was in the second corral. Staggered start also due to covid. Anyway the race started with a short run to the trail and then started up the mountain.
I completely underestimated the climbing that this course would have: 800 ft over 5 miles. Not that bad, but I wasn’t expecting the long steep climb over super rocky terrain. The climb lasted about 3.5 miles (up and down a little) before the long drop back to the start/finish. The descent was steep and just a rocky as the way up. I learned about half way down that I really need to work on running downhill lol. I passed this one guy like 3 or 4 times on the flats and climbs, but every time we hit a downhill stretch he would pass me right back (he beat me by about 1.5sec in the end). All in all it was a great race and I can wait for the second leg in February!
-Stan
GA Runners 