Town + Ridge + Roller Coaster (Rasta)

Rabid Raccoon 25k: 2nd Place

Sort if Warm up for Rabid Raccoon

Afternoon Ride

What a race! What a great race!

Logistics:
First, my flight was delayed about an hour. Could I even make it to the race on time. Finally, the plane left Denver at exactly 1 a.m: 3 a.m. Eastern time. I got a little shut eye on the plane. It landed at 5:17.... then just parking at the gate took 10 minutes, and people getting off the plane took a while. Some even stopped in the middle of the jet bridge, blocking everyone, just to reorganize suitcases. I was in the 5th row, but it still took about 5 minutes. I ran through the Atlanta airport and rode the train to the terminal. Then another 5 minute wait for the rental car train. 

Luckily, there was no line for the rental car. But... that was followed by another 5 minute wait checking the car out. It was kind of infuriating at the time. I used the time to take off my pants (I had my shorts ready to go.) It was now 6:07 a.m. and the race started at 8:30. Smooth drive: got to the race venue at 8:10. 

The race:
Going in I knew local William Sickenburger would be fit and flying on the course. We sort of raced each other a month ago... I won the Lookout Mountain 18 Miler. Will won the Lookout Mountain 50 Miler. Sure enough he went out hot and soon had a 30 yard lead. 

The course was rooty single-track, rolling, and had about 2,300 feet gain throughout the course. 
3rd and 4th were on my heels. I slowly gnawed away at Will's lead and by mile 3 we were running together, 100 yards ahead of 3rd, yet neither of us with an advantage on the other.

At mile 5 Will slowed to take in a gel and relinquished the lead. I took the lead and quickly got my 30 yards on him. We started the 2+ mile descent, and it was Will's turn to chase me and slowly gnaw into my lead. He caught up around mile 7 and once again  we ran together. I led, and we yo-yoed but we were always close and pushing each other. This continued on the rolling trail, then it continued on the uphill. Neither of us relinquishing a step.

At last we topped back on top of Raccoon Mountain, and the last 1/3 of a mile of the race is paved road. Here Will showed his track/road speed and put 30ish seconds on me, as we finished the race. 

What a great race! We pushed each other to run faster. Thankful for the challenge and the competitive race. 

I also won a Rabid Raccoon Skull!

Thank you, SportHill! Amazing apparel: get some some today!‍

🎷🐛 14.35 new miles

-- From Wandrer

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Timmy Parr

Rabid Raccoon 25k: 2nd Place

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Town + Ridge + Roller Coaster (Rasta)

Rabid Raccoon 25k: 2nd Place

Sort if Warm up for Rabid Raccoon

DIA

Afternoon Ride

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