Serious Running Blog

Be a part of history and run the trails at the Georgia Horse Park where the Olympic Mountain Biking competition was held in 1996.  The XTERRA Georgia Trail Race Series Runnin the Rocks 10k Race is a great trail race at the horse park put on by Dirty Spokes Productions, LLC.  I know what you are thinking about this race.  6.2 miles isn’t that serious.  Well, you’re wrong.  This is a very difficult course with a number of inclines and technical downhills that will challenge you and leave you breathless.  Breathing is for suckers anyways.

This race may have been a little more difficult for me than other runners because I started it a bit too fast.  Although I held my position from my quick start, passing two runners and not allowing any to pass me during the race, I thought I was going to throw up at about mile two.  I wasn’t sure how I was going to make it.  The runner in front of me had been slowing down so I figured what better time to pass him than when I was exhausted.  I decided to blaze past him on the uphill.  About two minutes later I heard him gagging and throwing up loudly!  It sounded like he was feeling just as bad as I was.  When running competitively don’t focus negatively on how poorly you are feeling personally, but think about how slow and tired the other runners in front of you are.  You’re always thinking of yourself anyways.  Maybe you should think of others sometime.  Then pass them!

Dirty Spokes Productions, LLC describes the race as, “…a great single and double track off road running experience! The race will start in the “Steeplechase Field” (required for spacing) but will soon lead into the woods. The terrain is rolling hills, single track, double track along with technical sections and creek crossings (about 2-3 feet wide ⁄ 2-3 inches deep). The course is beautiful and offers something for every runner truly wishing to ‘ditch the city’.”  I had a great time ‘ditching the city’ for this run on a beautiful Saturday morning.  I liked that there were logs and other obstacles to hurdle on the course giving you the feeling of really running on a recently blazed trail.  The trail floor was also very technical with a lot of exposed roots and rocks to dodge and maneuver which was a lot of fun.  The switchbacks were great, letting you truly feel like you were escaping the city.  I didn’t even know I was near downtown Conyers, GA!

The XTERRA Georgia Trail Race Series “Runnin the Rocks 10k Race” was a well run running event.  Race registration was quick, there were plenty of restrooms, plenty of food and Gatorade afterward, and again quick race results.  My favorite thing that Dirty Spokes Productions, LLC does that other races don’t seem to do is the overall quick post race operations.  When you are tired after a race you want to relax a little bit, talk to other runners, and refuel, but eventually get back home to take a shower and eat a much deserved lunch.  After the bulk of runners finished the race, the organizers quickly posted the “unofficial” race results.  Any psychologist will tell you, positive reienforcement needs to be quick to be effective.  Same goes for negative reienforcement so no matter how you did in the race you’ll be able to give yourself quick feedback!  Yeah for you!  Dirty Spokes Productions also start the awards ceremony at the right time.  Even though there were still a few participants walking the course, the race organizers went ahead and started the awards ceremony which I really liked.  It allows other participants, who may or may not be receiving anything, to attend the awards ceremony and cheer on their fellow running comrades.  It allows for a fitting celebration for fit individuals.  How fitting.

So next year be a part of history and run this Olympic course in the “Runnin of the Rocks 10k.”  Likewise, if you want to run a well organized and executed trail race then check out one of the other races in the XTERRA Georgia Trail Race Series. Do it.

Tags: competitive, Dirty Spokes, Geogria trail race series, racing, XTERRA

This entry was posted on Monday, March 9th, 2009 at 10:45 am and is filed under Events, Running, trail running. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.