Are you untrained or under-trained? Have you signed up for a race 3 days away? How bad can it be? Spoiler Alert: It's totally worth it!

To be fair, I trained for an ultra in February (42 miles) and then stopped training, so I wasn't totally unprepared. But, I was two months without any significant training, so I didn't make it easy on myself.

Come along for my journey at the 2021 Great Southern Endurance Run 100K.

This urban ultramarathon starts at 5 am at the top of Kennesaw Mountain in Marietta, GA, northwest of Atlanta, before heading toward the city.

Sights along the way include, Marietta Square, the Big Chicken, Truist Park and the Battery, the Chattahoochee River, West Paces Ferry and the Governor's Mansion, Piedmont Park and the Beltline, Ebenezer Baptist Church, Auburn Street, Georgia State University, the GA Capitol Building, Grant Park, Inman Park, and Candler Park.

The race then leaves Atlanta making its way northeast to Stone Mountain, a giant monolith with views of the city and our starting point that we left so many hours before.

There were highs and lows, but overall we had a great experience seeing the city from a new perspective and crossing it on our own power.

Navigation was another challenge. The race provides turn-by-burn directions which must be printed off, laminated and carried with you for constant reference.

The distance, heat and navigation made for a rewarding challenge topped off by seeing my family waiting for me at the top of the mountain.

If you're interested in seeing the city of Atlanta from a different angle, I highly recommend checking out the Great Southern Endurance Run.

#ultrarunning #ultramarathon #100k #race #Atlanta