Lake Spivey 15K Race Report

The 7th annual Lake Spivey Road Race is finally over.  I decided to run this race for the first time early last year. The 15K course is on many of the same roads that I train on almost every day so I figured I'd give it a shot. The fact that I could sleep-in and still make it to the race start in plenty of time was also a deciding factor.

I woke up on Saturday morning at 6:20 a.m., checked the weather.  It was cold and clear as was forecast.  I got my standing around clothes and gear ready to go.  I'd set out most of what I thought I'd need the night before.  I was out the door at 7:20 a.m.  The race was scheduled to start at 8:00 a.m.   The Clayton County Int'l Park entrance was only a few minutes drive from my house.  I checked in at the registration table and then meandered around the pavilion a bit looking for someone to pace me.   I was checking the competition.  The field of runners was small but there were a few runners that looked pretty fast.  The race started as scheduled at 8 a.m. with the 5Kers going first.  In previous years the 5Kers and 15Kers started together.  This year the Clayton County Parks and Rec. Department, who organizes the race, did things a little differently. The 15Kers waited as the 5K walkers creeped eastward on Walt Stephens Road.  As the 15Kers prepared to start the 5Kers were strung out on the course in a few minutes and soon the 15Kers were off and running.

The weather before the race was perfect.  It felt cold but it was nothing that a few sprints in the parking lot before the race wouldn't cure.

The 15K course was a bit long, 9.43 miles on my Garmin, as the starting mat was located at the finish and not on the actual starting line some 100' away.  That was not a big deal though, everybody has to run the same course, short or long.  The mile markers were a bit off as well.  They weren't off by much but my Garmin and the markers never did jive.  Also, no big deal.  Water stations were located throughout the course.  I didn't use them but it was nice that they were there.  There was also a port-o-let between mile 5 and mile 6 should the need arise.  It did not, but it could have, and if it did they had it covered.

The bibs included a timing chip to remove and lace through one of my running shoes.  The timing mat was used at the start and finish.  I like that!  Pull tabs are so 2000's.  The 5K race I ran in late October had pull tabs and I know the results were messed up.  The October race was still a fun race.  I'm just sayin'

The overall results listed on Orion Racing's website for the 15K show me as finishing 5th Overall and 1st in my odd age-group - 53 to 59.  In addition to finishing first I also finished last in my age-group.  First and Last!  Of the 59 runners and walkers participating in the 15K race I was the only participant in my age-group.  Let me take a second to elaborate on the age-groups for this race.  Unlike most races where the age-group rankings are in 5 year increments, the age-groups for the Lake Spivey 15K race were (increment in years) from: 0 to 14 (14 years), 15 to 21 (7 years), 22 to 27 (6 years), 28 to 35 (8 years), 36 to 40 (5 years), 41 to 46 (6 years), 47 to 52 (6 years), 53 to 59 (7 years), and 60 to 65 (6 years).

My First place Age-Group Medal

The Lake Spivey Road Race long-sleeve technical t-shirt

The county took a picture of me (center) with 4th place finisher Weldegebriel (Gabriel) Pietros (l), and overall winner Jon Hager (r).  It was nice that the county took a lot of pictures and posted all 343 of them on the Clayton County Parks and Rec. Dept. Facebook page for free download.

Gabriel, me, and Jon

Jon finished the 15K course in a record 52:48 beating the previous course record of 53:59 set in 2010.

Jon accepting his overall winner award

I received my medal.  They should have given me the silver and bronze as well.

On the stage

I finished the race in 1:08:29 with a 7:21 min./mile pace.  I was hoping for a 7 min./mile pace but...maybe next year!

Thanks for reading.

Where To Take My New Ride?

I had expected that Santa would bring me something triathlon related for Christmas. I knew he was on a budget because one of his little helpers, my wife, told me. She said in fact that Santa wasn't getting me much. I chocked it up to the old naughty or nice requirement for gift giving/receiving.

Well, Santa is a liar! That’s right, I’m callin’ out Santa because he (she) gave me an awesome gift. I got a Trek Fuel EX 8 full suspension mountain bike. You may have seen the picture in my What’s for Christmas blog.

2013 Trek Fuel EX 8

In the few days since Christmas I've been investigating where I might ride my new steed and contacted some of my cycling buddies that I know are mountain bikers. Here on Atlanta’s south side we have Dauset Trails in Jackson, Georgia which seems to be the most popular. The Georgia International Horse Park (GIHP) in Conyers is also an option coming in a close second. Dauset is a 37 mile drive and Conyers is a 30 mile drive from my home.

Another option is the Clayton County International Park (CCIP), also known as Atlanta Beach or simply The Beach, located east on Jonesboro, Georgia and only 3 miles from my front door. Being an avid cyclist, I think I would have noticed riders in the park but in eight years I don’t recall seeing a single one. The first time I heard about any trails at the park was about two months ago when someone posted a ride there on the Southern Crescent Cycling Facebook page. Me not being the owner of a mountain bike at the time, did not join in on the fun or even take much notice.

Clayton County International Park trails

Now that I do own a mountain bike I’ve got to plan my first ride. I’m thinking that, for convenience, I’ll stay close to home and ride at The Beach. I have some concerns that the trails are not maintained well however, who am I to judge. I’m sure it will be fun.  My concern is less regarding actual trail maintenance than is the relationship between the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA), Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association (SORBA) - Atlanta chapter, and the now absorbed SORBA - Southern Crescent chapter. I'm a big proponent of bicycle advocacy and an apparent rift (or maybe it's the lack of interest in anything exercise related by most of my south Atlanta neighbors) has left the southsiders with little leadership than I would like as a person new to the sport. A good solution to this is probably less forum reading time and more time on the saddle.

Unfortunately, for my mental state, even before I hit the trails I've already heard the stories about trips to the emergency room. Needless to say, I’m hoping for a safe and uneventful first ride. If something bad does occur then I only have Santa to blame because, if it wasn't for him (her) I wouldn't have a mountain bike, I wouldn't be riding in the woods, and I wouldn't have gotten hurt. That’ll be my argument should the situation arise. It’s not my fault!

One thing is for sure, I’ll be taking a lot of pictures over the next few months. I’m sure that along the way I’ll also improve my biking skills. Hopefully this new discipline will result in improved bike splits in my 2013 races.

Thanks for reading.