Resolution Run 10K - Race Report

The Atlanta Track Club's Resolution Run 10K takes place at noon on January 1st in Kennesaw, Georgia. An added bonus is that it's an Atlanta Track Club Grand Prix event. Kennesaw is an hour drive for us so my wife and I left home at 10:00AM to get there in plenty of time to check-in.  I like that the race starts at noon.  It gives me plenty of time to sleep-in and get ready in the morning. I'll be taking the opportunity to try for a sub-40 minute 10K finish.

The outside air temperature was much better than the previous week.  The temperature was in the low 60's for the first time in I don't know how long. With the warmer weather I dressed lighter hoping to improve my chances for a fast race.  As luck would have it, a storm front moved through the area and brought with it plenty of rain.

Umbrellas and trash bag coats were the fashion statement of the day.  Those without either could be found holed up under tents or even in one of the port-a-potties to stay warm and dry.

Is that an awesome umbrella or what?

Just a slight drizzle!

Hey!  Where'd you get that raincoat?

When the race started my shoes were already wet.  By the time I got to mile 2 at 12:10 on my stopwatch, I was completely soaked.  As I passed the half-way point at around 20:00 into the race I tossed my drenched shirt onto the sidewalk.  I was close to my goal and thought the added weight might mean the difference in meeting my goal. 

My luck wouldn't hold out, at the 5.5-mile point one of my shoelaces came untied .  I spent the next .7-miles feeling my right shoe slowly loosen.  I thought for a minute that I might either have to finish the run with only one shoe or none.  I had double knots in my laces but it didn't help.

My unofficial race finish time ended up being 41:21 (chip time).  Fourth in my age group.  I suppose that's pretty good considering the conditions. 

The long-sleeve technical race shirts and artwork are very nice.

2011 ATC Resolution Run shirt artwork

Overall it was a great race with plenty of volunteers braving the weather to keep the runners safe.