[674] GSER 100k – Atlanta

GSER, Great Southern Endurance Run is not a race but a run I told myself.

I won’t mention everything but some hightlights and bloops of the trip.

This was not my first time.  My first time was back in 2020 July and August.  I wrote couple long blogs about it.  It was a 100 mile back then.  Last year I did the 100k.  This year also a 100k. 

My 100 miler in Atlanta was miserable and I don’t want to dwell on it.  Last year was quite fun to finally get to go back there and ran my heart out.  We had perfect weather and everything.  I got one of my to-dos checked off.  (report).  When you had a good year, you dream of coming back for a repeat, but as they say, you can nevrr step into the same river twice. This year was different.

This year, I learned from my prior years attempts. I did almost everything perfectly (stressing on the almost). We (my friend and I) got to the finish, ahead of the expected time.  No one was hurt. Mission accomplished. The end.

It seems I was the first to sign up.  Not sure what made me to do it again.  Usually, I only want to run a race once.  Well my friend Caroline said it was me who signed up first so she signed up.  I think it was the other way around. We were the first two to do it.  And the last two to finish! More on that.

I usually wanted to run fast that is to get to the finish as fast as I could.  This could be a fast run but I know there were a lot to see and to do as we run through Atlanta.  The race was designed to show off the city.  To slow down and take things in. The race is only fun when you take a bit of risk of DFL-ing or worst not finishing.  

Our race was like that.  I know we would be slow.  I looked up last year slowest time and prepared my pace chart as such. 

I came prepared this year with turn sheet laminated knowing expecting a lot of rain.  Last year, I tried to squeeze too much info into the turn sheets my eyes went blind.  So this year, I sacrificed some extraneous info being left out and made the font as big as possible.  That caused some uff-da oopsies when some places on my turn sheets said to turn left and right at the same time.  There were several places I was confused by my own directions. Other than that, we got to the end eventually. I like each failed turn or mistake brought the blood pressure up to the roof.  We had good GPS or other runner friends to guide us in time of needs.

Most of the course is through the city and suburbs of Atlanta. We had a lot of streets to cross and we ran on sidewalks and passed through public places like parks, stadium, cemeteries and neighborhoods.  Out of respect and sensibility we controled our speed to a slow pace. Often time it was more like doing a quick walk than a run.

The course was not marked.  We did not expect it to be since it goes through the city for 60+ miles.  It would be a tall task to mark all and then take it down.  I was glad on some tricky trail sections we did have flags and such. Thanks Trena for marking. It was easier this year to follow than last year.

I have been hyped about doing this kind of race since I first found out about it.  To me it was more a scavenger hunt.  Now I am eye-ing doing something similar in Tampa (Tampa 100) maybe later this year or next year.

Overall, I enjoyed seeing Atlanta close up. 

We entered a “restricted Area” in Palasades something Acker Mill or somewhere. The construction man made us go back when we were so close reaching the other side.  There was no construction happening at the time.  It was just an empty parking lot and they were about to open it anyway.  Rules are rules.  We obeyed because the dude was watching us like a hawk to make sure we leave.  We were lucky not being cited for tresspassing.  I believed many other runners did the same so the man was on high alert that runners would be coming through.

I wish though I stopped by more shops while during the run.  I would have liked eating at the Pho we passed by.  We stopped twice, once at a Krogger with a Starbucks and the second time was at Chick-fil-A. I was concerned we used too much time.  It was also worth it because prior years I did not stop but so wanted to.  So I got my wishes.

Pace:  Our pace was just right.  I planned for 10 pm to reach the foot of Stone Mountain.  The cutoff was 11 and we reached it at 9 pm.  A success.  It was about a 17 min pace.  A pace I need to maintain at my next race the Old Dominion 100.  This gave me an idea how it feels to get that stored into my mind and body.

The fun part was, the rain.  It was forecasted to start raining from 10am-10 pm.  I guess some places did get rain, but we were staying dry whole day until 8:30 pm at the final couple miles.  When it came it poured as they say.  Lightning and Thunder, the full fury.

Yup, we got wet. I got lost. I knew the direction by heart but in a moment of confussion since my turn sheet said to go left when it was supposed to go right, I went left.  Luckily, two other runners caught up and set us straight.  We got into the finish before 9 pm. I was one second too slow and earned the Dead Last place.  There was a photo to prove it! So I would have to go back to redeem it. I am still a sore loser for not receiving a DFL prize. They did not have any to give out for being the last runner in this race.

Besides the race, we spent the day before to ascend Stone Mountain on a nice humid day. 

Also I found out where the Asian market (H-mart) is.  So we had lunch there and also gathered our pre run supplies.  Walmart was a good place too. 

Sunday following the race, we ascended Stone Mountain again.  We also entered the amusement park.  It was for the laser show but we did not have time for that.  We took a train ride around (part of the entry cost).  It is costly, $20 for parking and $25 for the park entry.  Food there was alright , prices were decent below at the food court, but prices up on Stone Moutain was almost like in the movie theater ($20 for popcorns, pretzel and a drink). Note, the have stone carving on the other side, which I never know.  But you have to pay to see it.

We spent the evening with local friends.  I got my favorite after-run drink: Kung Fu Bubble Tea!

The biggest uff-da oopsie I made was on the day flying back when I returned the rental car.  It was an early flight so I had to be at the airport by 5 am.  That was pushing it, and lo and behold, I found out I left my backpack in the rental car as I got into the airport sky train.  Long story short, the rental could not locate my bag.  We submit a lost-and-found.  By the time we made to the gate, the airplane already pushed off from the gate.  We missed it just by maybe 10-15 minutes.  Note, we got to to the gate on time before the noted departure time, but they usually do close the gate 5-10 minutes if no more passengers were boarding.

It just made my day.  I was put on a flight to Chicago and then rerouted back to DC.  Most of the day was gone.  The worst part is my house and car keys were all in the lost bag, plus many important items like my hydration vest! I told myself accept it as a lesson learned.  Not let it ruin my trip.  They say a little fly ruins a good perfume. So I can’t let a bit disappoinment ruins my trip.

update: My backpack is found and it will be shipped back to me in a few days