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Post by robturner on Oct 11, 2009 18:19:26 GMT -5
My thanks to Janice and the GUTS team for another extremely well-organized MMM! The course was very well marked, the aid stations were plentiful and for those that were manned, the volunteers were so helpful. Finally, the black tie-dyed t-shirt just rocks - in my opinion it's the coolest t-shirt trophy in my drawer!
On a personal note, my [fill in your favorite explicative] knee got the best of me today and I was not able to press on through the full marathon. But, for the 12 miles I did complete, it was very satisfying.
Hopefully everyone had a good trip home. Thank you again for such a fun trail run!
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Post by davidray on Oct 11, 2009 19:23:48 GMT -5
Ditto to all that. Even loved the new section for the marathon. Quite the challenge. The t-shirt is superb! Just needs a "HTFU" on there somewhere. And good to meet you, Rob!
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Post by jasonrogers on Oct 11, 2009 21:00:59 GMT -5
Thanks for everything this morning. Congratulations to the runners and volunteers alike, all of whom propelled me through the day.
The course was extremely well-marked, so thanks to all of you who got your own MMM in yesterday putting those ribbons up. The aid stations were plentiful and that says a lot, considering the logistics of setting those stations up on this particular course.
This marathon is one for the ages.
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Post by johnmnichols on Oct 12, 2009 7:20:39 GMT -5
Great, well organized event on a very challenging course. Will definitely be back next year ready for the full marathon.
Still not sure where or how several of us did an extra counter-clockwise loop at the beginning of the race just after going around the lake. Looking at a park trail map, we may have done a full loop of the Big Rock Trail, but not sure??? The tremendous view overlooking the Cohuttas just after the fire tower completely made up for the extra mileage though.
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Post by lenthompson on Oct 12, 2009 9:49:07 GMT -5
This may be my favorite race, it is a beautiful course that has a lot of variety, and I know when I finish that I have done something hard. The GUTS group does an incredible job marking and aiding the course Thanks guys.
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Post by janice on Oct 12, 2009 12:29:13 GMT -5
Great, well organized event on a very challenging course. Will definitely be back next year ready for the full marathon. Still not sure where or how several of us did an extra counter-clockwise loop at the beginning of the race just after going around the lake. Looking at a park trail map, we may have done a full loop of the Big Rock Trail, but not sure??? The tremendous view overlooking the Cohuttas just after the fire tower completely made up for the extra mileage though. MMM wouldn't be possible without all the volunteers, so many, many thanks to them! We were so lucky with the great weather and the trail being in great shape despite all the recent rains. I hope the marathoners enjoyed the new section, which brings the race to a FULL marathon distance. ;D I can tell you exactly how the group got lost. When you crossed the road after doing the lake loop, you (correctly) went onto the Big Rock trail. About 200 meters down the hill is a sharp right turn to get onto Gahuti (clockwise). Having missed the turn the group went uphill on yellow (Big Rock) and Gahuti (Orange) tree blazes-but no ribbon for about .1 miles(the 2 trails run concurrently in this section). But after just a few minutes on that section there were orange arrows and ribbon for when the course comes off Gahuti and turns on the Big Rock trail to AS4 (at foot of the power line & Big Rock/road) and then ultimately back to the lake loop and back the finish (since that is the final portion of the course). Now, i am not sure how the sharp right turn was missed in the first place, other than it is a sharp right turn on a downhill, but that intersection did have ribbon, painted arrows and a orange wooden arrow. Next year it might have a volunteer too!
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raff
GUTS Member
Posts: 80
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Post by raff on Oct 12, 2009 12:32:37 GMT -5
Hey guys - another great experience with MMM 2009! Many thanks to all the GUTS folks and others who organized it, marked the trail, setup and manned the aid stations, etc.....I am so appreciative of the support and encouragement:-)
Even tougher course than last year with the added 1/2 mile or so (and all in more descent and ascent ;D) but it really makes you feel like you've accomplished something special. In keeping with the theme on the shirt I even matched it with 2 bloody knees! But the good news for me personally is NO CRAMPING issues - I've loaded up on hill/stairs work over the last few months and it must've prepared me for this beast. Bring on Pumpkin Butt.
Also want to give a shoutout to Don Allen - we ran for quite a few miles together and the conversation kept me energized - in a cool small world moment I also found out he knew my sister when they went to Ga Tech together - very cool.
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Post by ttstew on Oct 12, 2009 13:02:49 GMT -5
Thanks to Janice and everyone for putting on another great race. I found new, very dark corners of the pain cave yesterday. The volunteers at the aid stations were AWESOME and I really appreciate everyone who made such an fabulous day of suffering possible! See ya next year fo' sho' Trevor
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Dan B
Stunned Runner
Posts: 136
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Post by Dan B on Oct 12, 2009 14:19:28 GMT -5
Even better than last year!!! Thanks to all the volunteers and all the GUTS folks for everything.... Please don't make this a 50K!!! What a great time suffering in the woods :-)
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Oct 12, 2009 16:57:55 GMT -5
After reading all of the posts I feel more comfortable admitting to the copious amounts of pain that I endured in the last 8 miles of this run. I especially liked the reference to the "pain cave". Although at one point I prayed that a bear would have jumped out of the woods and put me out of my misery, all of the smiles and words of encouragement from the volunteers and other runners reaffirmed what I love about trail running and our GUTS group. Finishing this race in just under 4 hours or just over 6, you guys always make us feel like we have accomplished something amazing. Thanks again.
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Post by gitagoing on Oct 12, 2009 18:09:15 GMT -5
;D We were glad you got to our aid station so we could let you know that it was a short didtance to the top again and the beach below. so ty for running this race. ;D
M3 Mystery Mountain Mist holds our soul A quite Morning Lake at Sunrise A soft rustle of footsteps Friends preparing; Runners sighing Trails of wilderness to test our soul
Mystery Mountain Mist knows our soul A gentle Trot to warm our heart A rush of beauty from fallen leaves Runners relaxing; Big Rock stream Rocky accent to test our soul
Mystery Mountain Mists revives our soul A slippery and heartbeat climb A vision above the valley Overlook Heaven; Georgia mountains The wall and tower of past souls
Mystery Mountain Mist sees our soul A challenge of Gahutti along the ridge A gift of relief for a few Peaceful lake loop; Sunny Beach finish A seed for full mystery souls
Mystery Mountain Mist settles our soul A power rise to see beauty A harsh decent to face reality Ancient aid awaits; Stunning Accent Final blood to give peace to our soul
Mystery Mountain Mist lifts our soul A tug of downhill A smile on faces Peaceful lake loop; Sunny Beach finish A finish line for our happy, battered soul
gitagoing
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Post by jcremers on Oct 12, 2009 20:23:26 GMT -5
Thanks for a great race...the clouds were an added bonus! I, too really like the t-shirt and the volunteers and aid stations were awesome.
Just curious, what was the official distance for the full marathon?
Thanks again...I will be back next year!
John in Cartersville
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Post by janice on Oct 12, 2009 21:59:30 GMT -5
Thanks for a great race...the clouds were an added bonus! I, too really like the t-shirt and the volunteers and aid stations were awesome. Just curious, what was the official distance for the full marathon? Thanks again...I will be back next year! John in Cartersville the official distance is 26.2 :-)
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Post by Sally on Oct 13, 2009 7:29:43 GMT -5
That RD sure is funny. ;D
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rgrstetson
GUTS Member
Gila monster alert system installed
Posts: 12
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Post by rgrstetson on Oct 13, 2009 8:46:00 GMT -5
Just wanted to add another thanks to the loop. This was by far the most beautiful run I have done and to have done the first 11 with my son was just great. The volunteers were SO awesome and supportive of us and I honestly cannot thank each and everyone of you, runners, volunteers, and our beloved RD for making his first trail race such an awesome experience. Thank you immensely.
He is still on cloud nine and told me yesterday that he wants to do another half in the spring!
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