The days tick away as I prepare for the Georgia Death Race/Georgia Death Party. The Race Director promises that we’re all gonna die, and it’s our job to prove him wrong. On a winding path from Vogel State Park to Amicalola Falls, at least we’ll die somewhere pretty!
The expected finish rate is 50%. I have a strong desire to bring my phone or camera to document people along the course. It wouldn’t be a smart decision, competitively, but I like the idea of capturing these people happily throwing themselves into pain. Am I one of them? Yeah. Did I have a panic attack when I saw the course map detailing start to finish? Yep! Am I still excited? YUP!
I whisked off to the Coosa trail this past weekend in Vogel State Park, the beginning of the GDR course. My pup and I tumbled up and down all 12.9 miles of it. Bits of snow remained, and all that had melted made the thin trails muddy, slick, and strenuous.
See? Strenuous!
If I’m gonna make it 68 miles through the mountains in 24 hours, this course better not take me more than a day!
That being said, I’m glad my pup came along. She paced me, kept me back from running too fast or trying to bust my rump uphill when I darn well know I should walk it. The climbs get so steep and never-ending at times, walking feels more like climbing!
Breaks
Other things I picked up while on the trail:
- The temperature fluctuates like crazy. I spent the day going from warm to chilled. Layers are key.
- Foood! I never bring enough! Make note–pack food. Then pack more food!
- Downhills are fun!
- Consider bringing extra water bottle. Handheld? In addition to two vest bottles. Perhaps pick it up with drop bag.
- Warm up those ligaments and muscles. Jumping onto the mountains with a tight Achilles and hamstrings makes for yowzuhs.
I’ll be taking off into the North Georgia mountains for the next 6 weeks, building my elevation performance. Please, please, let my car survive. So much driving, ugh. The upside, I’m gonna be camping whenever possible! Meaning, any weekend I’m not working.
Other pictures from the trip
Boot Tree and Cat are located at the thru-hiker store/trading post on Blood Mountain.
Matt Taylor 
This looks so painfully fun. Good luck! When my kids are more independent, I want to do more ultras. So now I’ll live vicariously through you! Great posts and tips!
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Thank you! Excited and scared, but looking forward to the experience. Happy to share the journey! I don’t know if you follow Sally McRae, but she is often asked about how she maintains her ultrarunning career while being a parent of two. An inspiring person in all regards. Cheers!
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