Number 46 - 2014 Thrill in the Hills 21K

This morning, for number 46, I walked the Thrill in the Hills 21K (half marathon) trail race.  Fourth year in a row doing this race - it doesn't get easier - if anything it gets harder, or at least seems that way.  The good news though, knee still holding up fine since switching to walking exclusively - no pain at all.  I was a bit concerned about this as the knee was stiff all week - not sure why.

The venue for the race is Fort Yargo State Park in Winder, GA.  This year they capped the race (21K & 42K) at 575.  With parking close by at a premium and with the amount of cars required to get 575 people there, thought it would be best to get there early so I was out the door just before 6:00 AM.

Once again I was treated to some nice sunrise views/reflections upon arrival:

Sunrise at Fort Yargo

This was just behind where race check-in took place so after taking this headed over to pick my race bib & shirt.  Was pleased to receive a long sleeve technical shirt this year - have way too many short sleeve from doing these races.  Looks like they came up with a new slogan on the shirt:

"More chills, spills, thrills, hills.  I live for this!"  I'm not so sure I live for this but I suspect some who do these type races do - I'm just happy to have another long sleeve technical shirt  : )

The 42Kers started at 8:00 and the 21Kers at 8:30.  This did make sense as getting 575 people into the woods on a single track at the same exact time would be a real mess. So just prior to 8:30 made my way to the back of the pack of the 21Kers and waited for the start.  Temperature was in the low 40s.

They thinned us out on the road prior to hitting the woods so by the time I got to the woods, not many others around.  As far as trail races go, this one is not too bad, in regards to rocks, roots, and such.  Don't get me wrong , those elements did exist but relative to other trail races I've done, this one is not too bad.  This next picture is probably pretty typical for the rock/root sections:

 However, there was a lot of pine straw (pine straw can = slippery for footing) on the trail.  I lost my footing once but luckily arms went out quick enough prior to doing a face plant.

I am pretty sore right now from the race in general, suspect even more so tomorrow morning.  It's to be expected though - a little stretching and in a few days it'll be fine.  I think trail races are tougher on the body because unlike a road race where for the most part you are go in a straight line on (mostly) even terrain on trails almost every step has to be somewhat calculated.  The rocks, roots, gullies, pine straw, puddles, leaves all have to be considered before you put your next step down.  The by-product of this, you are hardly ever going in a straight line on an even surface.  So you do find your body contorting almost constantly - using muscles maybe not used so much.  But, this is actually part of the allure of doing trail races.  It is fun.

The one thing that stood out more than anything on the trail was the size of this burl around mile 5:

Burl!!!

Now I have gotten away from turning wood on my lathe, but if I could get some of this burl wood...  I'm sure it must have incredible wood grain patterns.  Maybe someday...

It was a good race I'm glad I got to do it again.

20 Miler on a Cold Dreary Saturday

This 20 miler was for prep for the Great Saunter.  I do need to condition my head and body for walking 32 miles.  It was a cold (in the 30s) dreary winter day.  Mary had to work and I really was not motivated to do any DIY projects, so this really long walk  sort of made sense.


Not too many others out on Suwanee Greenway this day.  There were a few, but nothing like it is in warmer weather.  

mostly frozen - rarely see this in Georgia

In hind sight I guess this was a good workout - I wanted to stop and go home, a lot.  It was cold, wind in my face, headache - this was not an enjoyable walk.   I kept on battling the thoughts of just do 8 miles, just do 10 miles, just do 13 miles, and finally I got to the point where I could see the end (20 miles).  So this was much more of a mental workout - the push to continue did win.  

My Garmin read 4 hours, 58 minutes, 55 seconds at the end and I anxiously looked forward to food & warmth.

Number 45 - 26th Annual Jingle Jog 5K

It's not too often when you show up at a race and find more people dressed in Santa hats or as an Elf than not :)  For race number 45, I did the 26th Annual Jingle Jog 5K and there were plenty of festive dressed people, they even gave us jingle bells for our shoes...

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What I really like about this race, they encourage all to  purchase and bring an unwrapped gift to donate.  The Salvation Army truck is there, with the band playing Christmas songs.  It was just nice.

This is really just a fun race with a big theme - Christmas!  It is not a serious race (for those who actually do take racing these serious).  In other words I suspect one would not qualify their time in this race for the Peachtree Road Race.  The course started and ended in the Perimeter Mall parking lot, parking was super easy.

It was a quick course with many of the people just enjoying it - running, walking, jogging, it did not matter - folks were there for a fun time.

I was quite amazed at the sponsors at the end of the race - you could actually get stuffed partaking of it all:

Trader Joe's (hot cider!) with Santa and Mrs. Claus 

Firehouse Subs

Jim & Nicks Bar-B-Q, sliders & Brunswick Stew

Uncle Julio's

Carrabba's

any many more!

I do  a lot of races and I do not think I've ever seen so many at a finish line.  It was nice of them to provide this.

After the race, it was still before 9:00 AM, had plenty of energy - headed up to Suwanee Greenway and walked another 12 miles.  The energy was gone after that!  It was a good morning.