Posts Tagged ‘mountain biking’

5th Ranger Training Battalion Ranger Run, Mountain Bike Race, and Duathalon

Monday, April 27th, 2009

Have you always wanted to be an Army Ranger?  Then join the Army and go to Ranger school.  However, if you have other commitments that won’t allow you to join the Army then do the next best thing, participate in the 2009 Mountain Ranger Run, Mountain Bike Race, and Duathalon.

ranger-run

The 5th Ranger Training Battalion (5th RTB) in Dahlonega, GA is hosting a 5K and 15K run, duathlon, 34K mountain bike race, and children’s 1 mile fun run on May 30th, 2009 to benefit local charities.  The courses are the most challenging and scenic trails in North Georgia.  They are the trails that Army Rangers use to train on, did you think they would be easy?  Challenge yourself in any of these events.  If you want more of a challenge than just running then try the dualthalon which starts with the 5K runners, transitions into 34K mountain bike race, and ends with a 2 mile run.  Are you more of a team player?  Perfect.  So are Army Rangers.  Teams of six people will participate in the 15K and will be required to stay together through out the race.  Just like a Ranger.  Never leave your teammates behind and finish the race together.  Use this event to bring your organization, club,  or business closer together by accomplishing a difficult tasks as one unit.  The Army has been using this technique to build teams and teach leadership for years, it will work for your group too!

Not only is this a challenging race but it is also a great event for the entire family.  Even your young Rangers can compete and challenge themselves in the 1 mile fun run.  After your family is done being all that they can be, stick around for the other activities.  There will be static displays, awards ceremony, fallen Ranger Memorial Dedication, and a Rangers in Action Demo.  What a great way to see what the men (and not women, who are technically not allowed to be Army Rangers) who are defending the United States.  There will also be a open house which will have Army Ranger combat techniques, military mountaineering, hand-to-hand combat, as well as the static displays.  What a great opportunity to take a peek into what real United States Army Rangers do!

You can register for this awesome event online or by paper.  Register by May 25th to pay the lowest entry fee possible.  The 5K and 15K are currently $25, 34K is $30, duathalon $35, a team of 6 is $100, and the 1-mile fun run is $5.  See, although the Army is uniform they are still able to differentiate prices.  Pay for what you race and stay around for the free Army Ranger entertainment!

Be all that you can be, in the 5th RTeeeeee-B…2009 Ranger Run, Mountain Bike Race, and Duathalon!  What a great way to challenge yourself and see if you have what it takes to be a United States Army Ranger!

Runnning Etiquette

Monday, January 12th, 2009

As more people are out on the trails (and sidewalks for that matter) to stick with their New Years Resolutions, running etiquette has become increasingly more important. Mostly everyone on the trail is out there for the same reason, to exercise while enjoying nature, so we should all do our part to make sure everyone is able can enjoy this. Here are just a couple of tips everyone can keep in mind:

1.  Don’t smoke. I know this seems obvious but we have all seen it, someone walking on a trail with a dog or something and a cigarette. If I wanted to breath in toxins I’d run along a busy road. Please do not smoke on exercise trails. I’ve even see someone in full road biking gear smoking a cigarette. It was pretty special.

2.  Make a Large Group Small. I support getting out and enjoying exercise with as many friends as possible, but if you are walking or moving slowly, you shouldn’t take fill up the whole trail. If you do take up the entire trail, at least consolidate your group to one side when other exercisers are passing. Also, do everyone in your group a favor, at the beginning of your workout establish a side that everyone will move to. I suggest the right side, but that’s just because I’m American. However, it is Internationally agreed that the worse thing for a passing runner encounter is a split group. It can get very messing and awkward.

3.  Short Leash for Dogs. If you are out exercising with your dog put it on a short leash. No one knows where a dog’s mind will lead it, including the canine, so please put them on a short leash. At least you know that they will stay close to you.

4.  Biking. As an experienced mountain biker I understand both sides of this argument. First off, if you really want to do some mountain biking, don’t go somewhere that people are walking dogs or in large groups, that’s probably not a real mountain bike trail. However, if you do find others on a trail (maybe riding horses along the trail or trail runners), then make sure you are experienced enough to maneuver around them. If possible, ride off to the side of the normal trail. Blazing your own trail! Now that’s extreme!

Let’s all just get along on the trail. We are all there for the same reason. Trust me, if you ever see me out on the trail, I’ll be the first to move out of the way of the faster exerciser…but that doesn’t happen very often.

Feel free to post any other rules I didn’t think of. Thanks.