Think Fun for Running Races

If you follow my blog, you’ll know that I’ve spent several weeks sidelined with Runner’s Knee. Now that I’m working my way back to running, I’ve got road races on my mind. Here are a few races I’d love to run:

Disney’s Princess Half-Marathon
This inaugural race is the latest in the series of endurance events hosted at Walt Disney World. What could be more fun than running around through Disney? Scheduled for March 8 (a great time of year to run in Florida), it promises to offer an exciting and inspirational weekend for women runners of all ages. You can connect with other Disney-bound runners at disneyrunning.com.

Marathon/Half-Marathon Oasis De Montreal
Enjoy the atmosphere of Paris without the jet lag. As a qualifying race for Boston, the course runs through the picturesque neighborhoods and famous sites of Montreal. It ends inside Olympic Stadium, where runners enter through its historical Marathon’s gate. What a memorable way to experience a Bruce Jenner moment.

Chicago Half-Marathon
With its collection of amazing architecture, Chicago is one of my favorite cities. This race offers a great way to combine site-seeing with running. The route runs along Lake Shore Drive, through Jackson Park and the University of Chicago campus. It’s considered a very popular event for long-distance runners.

Mardi Gras Marathon & Half-Marathon
New Orleans is a magical city and Mardi Gras season is an exceptionally festive time to visit. The race takes place two weeks before the first Madri Gras parade, but it helps kick-off the celebrations for the annual party. The course travels through the Garden District and Audubon Park.

ING Georgia Half-Marathon
Looking a little closer to home, I loved the route for the race when I ran it in 2007. Spring is a beautiful season in Atlanta and this race route travels through some of the great intown Atlanta neighborhoods. If things go well with my recovery, I’ll be running this race to raise money for Girls on the Run.

This week’s route comes from WalkJogRun.net. It’s a 5-mile run through Virginia-Highlands and Midtown.

· Start at the corner of Amsterdam Ave and Monroe Dr.
· Run down Amsterdam and turn right on Brockridge Dr.
· Veer left and stay on Brockridge Dr.
· Veer onto Glen Arden Way
· Turn right on N. Highland Ave.
· Turn right on Ponce de Leon Ave.
· Turn right on Lakeview Ave
· Run along Midtown Place and Midtown Promenade
· Turn right on Monroe Dr.
· End at Monroe Dr. and Amsterdam

Nursing a Running Injury: Part 2

It’s been almost two months since I wrote about my knee injury. Unfortunately, the soreness still lingers which makes it difficult to run. The symptoms I’m experiencing are similar to those described for Runner’s Knee. Earlier this month, I had an evaluation at the Emory Orthopaedics Center and nothing looked unusual. So now I’m taking a prescription anti-inflammatory pill and Glucosamine/Chondroitin/MSM supplement.

Beth Moore at Traxee wrote a great blog post about the frustrations of being sidelined with a running injury. Like Beth, there’s a lot I miss about running. Clearing my head after a tough day. The satisfaction and confidence that comes after a long run. Seeing my neighborhood the way it was meant to be seen. It’s tough driving by other runners and feeling a pang of jealousy. Swimming is an alternative, but my motivation to get to the pool is lacking.

With the new year approaching, I’m hoping to return to running.

This week’s route is a 3-mile run that starts at Fernbank Museum. You can find the route at Map My run under my group Atlanta Running.

· Start at the parking lot of Fernbank Museum
· Turn right on Clifton Rd.
· Turn right on E. Clifton Rd.
· Turn right on Clifton Rd.
· Turn left on N. Decatur Rd.
· Turn left on Oxford Rd.
· Turn right on Clifton Rd.
· Follow Clifton back to Fernbank Museum

Gift Ideas for Runners

I’m finally catching up on my blog after spending two weeks traveling. Just in time to start thinking about holiday shopping. With gift giving on my mind, I thought I’d share a few ideas for useful and inexpensive gifts for runners. Here are a few items to consider as stocking stuffers:

Pepper spray
Give the gift of safety with pepper spray. You can find runner-friendly spray canisters at sporting goods stores and online retail sites.

Reflective vest
Help runners stay visible on the road with reflective apparel. Vests are an inexpensive way to make sure cars and cyclists see runners during dawn and dusk. And don’t forget the four-legged running partner. You can find reflective dog leashes and collars are available at a variety of online stores.

Sports massage
Running in cold weather can be tough on the body. Give the gift of pampering with a certificate for a massage. Local spas like Natural Body offer a variety of massage choices.

Paid entry for road race
You’ll find a comprehensive list of road races at Run Georgia. This is a great gift option for runners who love to participate in races.

ClifShots or Luna Moons
Cheap and easy stocking stuffers. These are handy to have during long runs to maintain energy levels.

Head Lamp
Along with reflective vests, head lamps are a great item to keep runners visible on the road.

Road ID
Road I.D. provides a variety of wearable identification for athletes. My favorite is the shoe pocket.

I discovered WalkJogRun.net which is a great resource for running routes. This week's feature run is the Highland Bakery Route that loops through Inman Park.

Highland Bakery Route - 3.75 Miles

· Start at the corner of McClendon Ave. and Oakdale Rd.
· Head west on McClendon toward Little Five Points
· Cross Morehead Ave and veer left onto Euclid Ave
· Turn right on Austin Ave.
· Turn right on Elizabeth St.
· Turn left on Highland Ave.
· At the corner of Highland and Sampson, make a sharp right and follow the running path along Freedom Parkway
· Continue on the path as it follows Copenhill Ave.
· Follow the running path back to McClendon Ave.
· Turn right on McClendon.
· End at the corner of McClendon and Oakdale.

Women Runners Connect at Traxee

A recent web search on running communities pulled up a link for Traxee. Traxee brands itself as a social networking site for women runners. It features a collection of blog posts from women runners, information on gear and training. You can also track your runs through applications offered at the site. Setting up an account is easy. But because it’s still in beta, I’m not able to feed my blog posts to my profile.

During my web search, I was looking to see if running shoe companies offered online communities for runners at their sites. I was surprised to see that the major brands did not feature any Web 2.0 tools for runners to connect with the brands and each other. As evident by Traxee, Runner’s World and hundreds of individual running blogs, there’s a huge community of runners interested in connecting and sharing stories.

This week’s route is a 3-mile loop around Georgia Tech. I found it at Run.com, which is a handy resource for local running routes. The route was originally posted by Sierra Nicholson. I’ve included it at Map My Run under my group Atlanta Running.

Georgia Tech 3-Mile Loop:
· Start at the corner of 5th St. and W. Peachtree St. NW
· Head down 5th St. towards Georgia Tech
· Cross Techwood Dr. and Fowler St.
· Veer left on 5th St. as it turns into Ferst Dr.
· Follow Ferst Dr. around the campus
· Turn left on Cherry St.
· Turn right on Bobby Dodd Way
· Turn right on Williams St.
· Turn left on North Ave.
· Turn left on W. Peachtree St. NW
· End run at 5th and W. Peachtree or repeat to increase mileage

Great Day for ZOOMA Atlanta

It was a very cold but festive start for the ZOOMA Atlanta Road Race. While I trained for the half-marathon, I ended up running the 5K stroller jog because of continuing problems with runner's knee. It was great to see a few men join several hundred women for this inaugural event. I was one of the few runners with an actual stroller in the 5K race. My daughter had a great time riding in the stroller even though she had to get up early with me. And she loved the sterling silver necklace that runners received at the finish line. Part of the appeal of the ZOOMA Race Series is that it supports Atlanta-based CARE. As a global humanitarian organization, CARE strives to help poor women and their families move out of poverty. At least $3 from each entry fee is donated to CARE. For UPS employees, the company generously paid the $75 fee.

This week's route is the 5K course from ZOOMA Atlanta. You can find the route at May My Run under my group Atlanta Running.

ZOOMA Atlanta 5K Route:

• Start from the Atlanta Station Parking Garage, at the P2 level
• Head down 20th St.
• Turn right at Fowler St. and cross 17th St.
• At 16th St., turn left
• Turn right on Northside Dr.
• Turn right at 17th St.
• Follow 17th St. back to Atlantic Station
• Just before Fowler St., make a u-turn on 17th St.
• Head back down 17th St. and turn right on State St.
• Follow State St. back to the starting point

Great Songs for Running

It’s time to update my iPod with a new song list. Since I mostly use it when I’m running, I decided to search for songs that will keep me mentally motivated and energized. Here are a few selections that I plan to add:

· Going the Distance (Cake)
· One Week (Barenaked Ladies)
· Come Original (311)
· We Got the Beat (The Go-Gos)
· Call Me (Blonde)
· Crazy (Gnarls Barkley)
· Hey Ya! (Outkast)
· Got Caught Stealing (Jane’s Addiction)
· Higher Ground (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
· Beautiful Day (U2)
· Bitter Sweet Symphony (Verve)
· Freedom! ‘90 (George Michael)
· Personal Jesus (Depeche Mode)
· Ring of Fire (Johnny Cash)
· 100 Days, 100 Nights (Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings)
· Any podcast from This American Life

This week’s route is a 4 mile run loop around Grant Park. You can find the route at Map My Run under my group Atlanta Running.

· Start at the entrance to the Zoo, on Cherokee Ave. and Georgia Ave.
· Facing the park, turn left down Cherokee
· Turn right on Sydney St.
· Turn right on Park Ave.
· Turn left on Berne St.
· Turn right on Blvd Dr.
· Turn right on Atlanta Ave.
· Turn right on Cherokee
· Repeat

Nursing a Running Injury

In August I wrote about recovering from a bruised toe. This week, I learned that I was suffering from a strained ligament in my knee. During my runs, my knee literary felt like it would give out from under me. Needless to say, I was not happy. Since I’m trying to increase my mileage for the ZOOMA Atlanta Half-Marathon next month, this was not the time to encounter an injury. I’m taking nearly two weeks off from running to give the knee time to recuperate. Thanks to my trainer, Calvin, here’s the approach I’m taking to treat my injury:

· Take ibuprofen twice a day
· Lap swimming for my cardio exercise (in place of running)
· Ice packs on knee for 15 minutes followed by heating pad

I also decided to purchase a new pair of running shoes. My current pair felt as if I wasn’t getting an adequate level of support as my mileage increased. I had been running in Adidas Supernova Classics (which I loved for the high-arch support). It was a tough decision to select a new shoe – I literally spent 30 minutes at Big Peach Running Co. in Decatur deciding between a pair of Mizunos and Sauconys. I ended up with the Mizunos. Hopefully, I’ll returned to a comfortable running experience by next weekend.

Since I’m not running this week, I decided not to post a route. However, if you’re looking for a running route, here are a couple of sources:

Map My Run (Atlanta Running) – This is where I keep maps of my running routes. Currently, there are 20 routes available.

Run.com – The site offers 18 different routes, which are primarily located within intown neighborhoods.

Atlanta Track Club – You’ll find 9 routes in neighborhoods across Metro Atlanta

Support Girls on the Run

On Thursday, I attended an event for Girl on the Run (GOTR) at the home of Erin Wolf. It was a great opportunity to learn more about the important work of this organization and to meet other women runners. While most of us are familiar with the growing health issues that children face due to the lack of proper eating and physical activity, I was a bit stunned by some of the statistics that Erin shared. Girls that are involved with sports are significantly less likely to engage in harmful activities, like drugs, alcohol, tobacco and sex. They are also more likely to have a strong sense of self-esteem. As a mother of a young girl, these statistics are alarming. I want my daughter to grow up confident, healthy, and happy.

Through its running programs, GOTR fosters self-confidence and a healthy lifestyle among young girls. Girls ages 8 to 13 are eligible to participate. Programs are offered at local schools, YMCAs, and Girls, Inc. sites.

Runners can support GOTR by participating in its Team Tiara program. It’s a great opportunity to train with other runners for the ING Georgia Marathon/Half-Marathon and raise funds for GOTR. Runners of any age, gender, or ability are encouraged to participate. If you’d like to support GOTR through Team Tiara, you can set-up a fundraising page at Active.com. You can also support GOTR by donating at my fundraising page. I'm committed to raising at least $262.

This week’s route is a 3.5-mile run through Piedmont Park and the Ansley Park neighborhood. You can find the route at Map My Run under my group Atlanta Running.

• Start at the Piedmont Park entrance on 10th St. and Charles Allen Dr.
• Turn right on 10th St., heading towards Piedmont Ave.
• Turn right on Piedmont Ave.
• Turn left on 15th St.
• Follow 15th St. to Peachtree Circle
• Turn right on Peachtree Circle
• Turn right on The Prado
• Veer left onto Maddox Dr.
• Turn right on Park Lane
• Cross Piedmont Ave. and enter the park (by the entrance for the Atlanta Botanical Garden)
• Follow the path through the park and end at 10th St. and Charles Allen Dr.

Blogs for Women Runners

To help inspire my training for ZOOMA Atlanta, I’m on a mission to discover blogs from women runners. Here’s a few great blogs that I’ve found:

Marathon Moms: Colorado-based Dimity McDowell is a sports-and-fitness writer who has completed two marathons and two Half Ironman triathlons. Sarah Bowen Shea is a writer from Portland, Oregon who has run four marathons. Dimity and Sarah write about the challenges of balancing family time and work demands with fitness and training schedules.

Fitness for Mommies: This blog is hosted by Rachel, who is a self-described wife and mother of two crazy boys. Along with being a mom, she’s also a physical education teacher and an athlete. The goal of this site is to offer testimony, information, and articles on all things related to balancing life and athlete endeavors.

See Mommy Run: This site strives to connect moms in local communities to run and walk together. It invites moms to join an existing group in their area or start their own group.

Running Skirts: Twins Cindy and Christy are moms who blog about everything related to running.

This week’s route is a 5-mile loop through the Winnona Park neighborhood from the Oakhurst Running Club. You can find the route at Map My run under my group Atlanta Running.

Winnona Park – 5 Mile Route
· Start at One Step at a Time
· Head north (left) on Oakview Rd
· Turn left on Adams St
· Turn right on W. Dougherty St
· Cross S. Candler St. and continue on Winnona Dr
· Turn right on Hilldale Dr
· Turn left on Derrydown Wy
· Turn right on Craigle Ave
· Turn right on Katie Kerr Dr
· Turn right on S. Columbia Dr
· Turn left on Kirk Rd
· Turn left on S. Candler St
· Turn right on Brower St
· Turn right on Garland Ave
· Turn right on S. McDonough St
· Turn left on W. Hill St
· Finish at One Step at a Time

Fueling Long Runs

I’m a bit delayed in posting this week’s blog. I blame it on my preoccupation with the gas shortage in Atlanta. It seemed appropriate to base this week’s post on fuel … that is, fueling your energy level for long runs.

For my long runs (anything over 7 miles), I rely on Luna Moons to sustain my energy. They’re easy to chew and less messy than gels. Some of my friends like the Clif Shots Bloks, which are ice-cube sized chews. Regardless of your preference, what’s important to keep in mind is consuming a drink or food that provides the right balance of water, carbohydrates and electrolytes to replenish essential minerals that you burn during runs.

In the July issue of Runner’s World, Sarah Bowen Shea wrote about choosing the right beverage to fuel your run. Key factors to consider when determining what to drink during your run are the length of run, the temperature, and your pace. I also found a great article on what to eat and drink at Run Gear Run.

This week’s route is an 11-mile loop that I ran today. You can find the route at Map My run under my group Atlanta Running.

Decatur to Druid Hills – 11 Mile Route

· Start at Fellini’s, located at the corner of Commerce and Sycamore Place
· Stay on Sycamore Place, running past Fellini’s
· Turn right on Howard Ave
· Stay on Howard and run past Decatur H.S. and East Lake Marta Station
· Turn right on Ridgecrest
· Turn left on McClendon Ave
· Stay on McClendon until you reach Little Five Points
· Turn right on Moreland Ave
· Stay on Moreland and cross Ponce de Leon Ave
· Moreland turns into Briarcliff
· From Briarcliff, turn right on N. Decatur Rd
· Turn right on Springdale
· Stay on Springdale and cross Ponce de Leon
· Turn left on Ponce de Leon and take it back to Downtown Decatur
· Turn right on Church St
· Turn left on Sycamore St
· Turn right on Sycamore Place
· Turn left on Commerce
· At College, turn left and run back up Commerce to Fellini’s

Training for ZOOMA Atlanta

I kicked-off my training last week for the ZOOMA Atlanta Half-Marathon with an 8.5 mile run. Yesterday’s long run was a fantastic 9.5-mile route through Decatur, Lake Claire and Druid Hills. With the arrival of cooler fall weather, I’m looking forward to long weekend runs as I prepare for the race. The ZOOMA Atlanta site features training stories from two women bloggers. For additional training inspiration, read the blogs from other women runners that are linked to the ZOOMA site.

Runner’s World is also a great resource for training information. Look for the article on half-marathon training from Doug Rennie. It includes recommended training schedules for novice, intermediate and advanced road race runners. You’ll also find some great blogs at the magazine’s site, such as Marathon Moms. Bloggers Dimity and Sarah write about the challenges of balancing family time and work demands with fitness and training schedules.

This week’s route is a 9.5-mile loop, courtesy of the Big Peach Running Co. in Decatur. You can find the route at Map My run under my group Atlanta Running.

Decatur – 9.5-Mile Route

· Start at Big Peach Running Co. and turn left on E. Trinity Pl.
· Follow E. Trinity across the railroad tracks onto N. Candler St.
· Turn right on Green St. and run through the nature path
· Cross over S. McDonough onto Oakview Rd.
· Stay straight on Oakview and turn right onto E. Lake Dr.
· Stay on E. Lake through Oakhurst and into Lake Claire
· Cross over the railroad tracks and turn left on Ridgecrest Rd.
· Turn right onto McClendon Ave.
· Run up and down the hill on McClendon
· Turn right on Lakeshore Dr.
· Stay straight onto N. Ponce de Leon Ave.
· Take a slight left turn onto Ponce de Leon Ave.
· Take a slight right onto W. Ponce de Leon Ave.
· Turn right onto W. Trinity at the church
· Turn left onto Commerce Dr.
· Turn left onto Clairmont Ave
· Turn right onto Scott Blvd.
· Turn right onto Willow Lane
· Turn left onto Church St.
· Turn right onto Forkner Dr.
· Turn right onto Sycamore Dr.
· Cross E. Ponce de Leon and stay on Sycamore
· Cross Commerce and turn left onto Candler St.
· Turn right on E. Trinity Place and return to Big Peach Running Co.

Etiquette Tips for Road Races

This month’s issue of Runner's World features a terrific article on good manners to follow when running in a road race. Some of the stories included with the tips are painfully hysterical. Here’s a brief summary:

1.) Do Your Own Thing: go your own pace and respect the personal space of other runners

2.) Know Your Place: don’t create obstacles for other runners by walking alongside friends

3.) Keep It Down: if you need to talk, watch your volume and don’t discuss personal or embarrassing topics

4.) Leash Your Best Friend: keep your dog close to you so that other runners don’t trip on the leash

5.) Watch Your Step: don’t cut-off other runners, especially when running towards the water station

6.) Aim Fluids Carefully: be mindful of where you toss your water cup (and of where you direct bodily fluids)

7.) Don’t Stink: remember that what you consume (e.g. tobacco, garlic) can cause you to reek – especially when running

8.) Dress For Your Mom: refrain from wearing revealing attire

9.) Don't Whine: if you quit a race, don’t whine about it to others

10.) Just Run: enjoy the run and don’t try to impose your race routine on other runners

This week’s route is another 5-mile loop, courtesy of the Oakhurst Running Club. You can find the route at the club’s web site or at Map My run under my group Atlanta Running.

Oakhurst Running Club – East Lake 5-Mile Route

· Start at One Step at a Time
· Head west on East Lake
· Turn left on Johnston
· Continue on Wisteria
· Turn right on Rocky Ford Rd
· Turn left on College Ave
· Turn left on Howard St
· Turn left on Hosea Williams Dr
· At fork, turn right on Oakview Rd
· Turn right on Spring St
· Turn right on Adams St
· Cross over Pharr Rd and onto Daniel Ave
· Turn left on Hosea Williams Dr
· Turn left on Spence Ave, which turns into McDonough St
· Turn left on W. Hill St
· Finish at One Step at a Time

Oakhurst Running Club Draws a Big Crowd

To learn more about local running groups, I joined the Oakhurst Running Club for their Wednesday night gathering this week. Over 30 people showed up for a great evening of running. The route took runners through a variety of neighborhoods in Oakhurst and Decatur. The club’s web site bills itself as “The Friendliest Running Club in Atlanta” and based on my experience, I have to agree. Corny, one of the club’s leaders, made a point to greet everyone and tagged along with new runners to help them follow the route. Group runs take place on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. and Saturdays at 9:00 a.m. The Oakhurst Running Club meets at One Step At A Time, a walking and running store that opened in 2001. At the store’s web site, owner John Cope shares his amazing story about overcoming asthma by running. If you’re looking for an intown running experience, make plans to join the Oakhurst Running Club.

This week’s route is the 5-mile loop I ran on Wednesday with the Oakhurst Running Club. You can find the route at the club’s web site or at Map My run under my group Atlanta Running.

Oakhurst Running Club Route – 5 miles

· Start at One Step At A Time
· From the store, head Northeast on Oakview (turning left) towards Agnes Scott College
· Cross S. McDonough and head down the concrete park path
· At the “T” on the path, turn left
· Cross E. Davis and head down College Pl
· Turn right on E. Hancock St
· Turn left and enter Agnes Scott
· Run through Agnes Scott campus to E. College Ave
· Turn right and go under the railroad track tunnel
· Cross E. Howard and run down Church St
· Turn right on Sycamore St
· Turn left on N. Candler St
· Turn right on Commerce Dr
· Turn left and enter the Decatur Cemetery
· Run through the cemetery and exit on the north side
· Exit the cemetery and turn right down the concrete path toward Glendale Ave
· Turn right on Glendale Ave
· Turn right on E. Ponce de Leon Ave
· Turn left on Sycamore Pl
· Cross Commerce Dr
· Turn right on E. Howard Ave
· Cross over E.Trinity Pl and continue down E. Howard
· Turn left and go under the railroad track tunnel
· Cross E. College and run through Agnes Scott
· From Agnes Scott (near the Tennis Courts) turn left onto S. McDonough
· Turn right onto Ansley St
· Turn right onto Oakview
· End at One Step At A Time

Recycling Old Running Shoes

I love the feeling of slipping on a new pair of running shoes. Nothing beats the cushioned support and comfort on my feet. And that first run with new shoes is always terrific. What I don’t like is collecting a closet full of old running shoes. Fortunately, I’ve come across a variety of sources for recycling running shoes:

Big Peach Running Co.
This local retailer offers a 5% discount off the purchase of new running shoes when you give them your old pair. The old shoes are donated to local charities that assist the homeless.

RecycledRunners.com
As noted by its title, this site is dedicated to encouraging runners to contribute old shoes to recycling programs. It features information on programs in the U.S. and select countries. As an additional bonus, purchase a new pair of shoes from Running.Zappos.com and the web retailer will donate 50% of the proceeds to RecycledRunner.com’s Charity of the Month.

Reuse-A-Shoe
Nike offers a very cool program to donate your shoes. The material from old running shoes is grinded and manufactured into soft play surfaces for tennis courts, running tracks and playgrounds. You can donate your shoes at the NikeTown store at Phipps Plaza or by mailing them directly to Nike at this address:

Nike Recycling Center
c/o Reuse-A-Shoe
26755 SW 95th Ave.
Wilsonville, OR 97070

I found a new source for Atlanta running routes this week at Run.com. The route listed below was originally posted by Kelly S. at Run.com. While Run.com does provide a map, I find the map feature at Map My Run is easier to follow. You can access a map of the route at Run.com and at Map My Run under my group Atlanta Running.

Buckhead West Loop – 3 Miles (from Kelly S. at Run.com)

· Park in the Cross Creek Clubhouse lot (free parking).
· From parking lot, go back to main road and turn right on Bohler.
· Turn left onto Hanover Drive before the bridge.
· Turn left at dead end.
· Turn right at next dead end onto Defoors Ferry Road.
· Go about a 1/2 mile, and turn right onto Warren Road immediately after the baseball field.
· Turn right onto Moore's Mill Road. You will cross a bridge and go up a hill.
· Turn right at the first light onto Peachtree Battle Road.
· At the top of the last hill, turn right at the stop sign onto Bohler Road. This will take you back to the Cross Creek entrance.

This loop is easily extended. You can pass Warren Road and instead turn right onto Moore's Mill later- this will tack on about an extra half mile. You can also turn left onto Bohler at the beginning (instead of right) and then go right onto Defoors Ferry - this will eliminate the Hanover leg and tack on almost 2 miles. However, this also adds a steep 3/4-mile hill at the start.

Olympics-Inspired Running

I love watching the Summer Olympics. Seeing the accomplishments of world-class athletes inspires me to work harder towards my own fitness goals. I’m particularly excited about this year’s games because of the success of women considered too old to compete. Romania's Constantina Tomescu-Dita, a 38-year-old mother, became the oldest Olympic marathon winner in history. While other runners bent over in exhaustion after crossing the finish line, Constantina ran victory laps in the Bird’s Nest stadium. Watching her seemingly effortless win influenced my running this week. Despite the heat of summer, I had a great energy level during my runs. Thanks Constantina for the inspiration!

This week’s route is a 2-mile loop through Emory University. Repeat the loop to increase your mileage. You can access a map of this route at Map My Run under my group Atlanta Running.

Emory University – 2-mile loop
· Start at Druid Hills High School, located off of Haygood Dr. between N. Decatur and Clifton
· From the parking lot, turn right and head toward Clifton Rd
· Cross Clifton and stay straight on Asbury Cir
· Veer right and head down Fraternity Row
· At the end of Fraternity Row, turn right onto Dickey Dr
· Turn left onto Dowman Dr
· Turn left on Fishburne Dr
· Turn left on Asbury Cir
· Turn right on Pierce Dr
· Stay straight and cross Clifton
· Head down Upper Gate Dr
· Turn left on Ridgewood Dr.
· Ridgewood ends at Haygood – repeat loop or return to Druid Hills H.S.

Recovering from an Injury

As a runner, there’s nothing worse than suffering from an injury. I was recently sidelined for a week while I dealt with a bruised toe. My options were (1) become a coach potato and fight the urge to raid the fridge or (2) find an alternative activity to running. Sometimes it was hard to make the smart choice. Depending on the nature of the injury, swimming, biking or the elliptical cycle can be a good option. Since I belong to a gym with a pool, I swim to supplement my running. It’s a nice break from sweating and I like the challenge of working different muscle groups. Plus it’s a great cardiovascular workout.

What’s your alternative to running? Share your feedback by commenting at this blog.

For this week, the featured route is the 5-mile loop at Stone Mountain Park. The directions listed below are also available at the Stone Mountain Park site. You can access a map of this route at Map My Run under my group Atlanta Running.

Stone Mountain Park – 5 mile loop
· Start from the main parking lot near the railroad depot
· Head west on Robert E. Lee Blvd (turn right, facing the railroad tracks)
· At the 2-mile mark, stay straight on Robert E. Lee (the 8-mile loop turns right on Stonewall Jackson Drive)
· The 5-mile loop ends at the railroad depot

Outdoor vs. Treadmill Running

I’m strictly an outdoor runner. I love the experience of running outside and exploring neighborhoods. It’s a great way to discover communities and meet other runners. For me, running on a treadmill is a sterile, mind-numbing experience. However, other runners I know prefer the convenience and sense of safety you get with running on a treadmill. I can appreciate that – especially during the winter when the weather is miserable.

What’s your preference? Share your feedback by commenting at this blog.

This week’s featured run is a 4.5 mile route through Brookhaven. You can access a map of this route at Map My Run under my group Atlanta Running.

Brookhaven – 4.5 miles

· Start at Big Peach Running Co., located at 3881 Peachtree Road NE
· Turn right on Peachtree
· Turn right on Bellaire Dr
· Turn right on Club Dr
· Turn right on Winall Down Rd
· Turn right on W. Brookhaven Dr. and follow the road around the golf course
· W. Brookhaven turns into E. Brookhaven
· Follow E.Brookhaven away from the golf course
· Turn left on Davidson Ave
· Davidson turns into Club Dr
· Turn right on Winall Down Rd
· Turn left on Vermont Rd
· Turn left on Stovall Rd
· Stovell turns into Club Dr
· From Club Dr., turn left onto Peachtree Rd
· End run at Big Peach Running Co.

Running for a Good Cause

Atlanta hosts a variety of running events during the fall, including many that support important community groups. If you’re looking to run for a higher cause, here’s a few road races to consider:

Red Devil Dash – September 13
This 5K run/walk event takes place at Druid Hills High School, located at 1798 Haygood Drive in Atlanta. Proceeds support Philip Hicks Memorial Soccer Scholarship Fund and the Druid Hills Soccer Booster Club.

Four Seasons Run for Research – September 20
An annual race hosted by the Four Seasons, it benefits the Georgia Cancer Center for Excellence at Grady Health System. The race takes place at the Four Season, which is located at 75 14th Street in Atlanta. A fun bonus is the chance to win a stay at a Four Seasons hotel. Event registrants are automatically entered in a drawing to win a trip to one of five Four Seasons locations. The Grand Prize is a stay at the Four Seasons in Nevis, West Indies, Carribbean.

Starlight Atlanta Run for Kids – October 4
This first-annual event takes place at Lullwater Conservation Park at Emory University. The Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation helps seriously ill children and their families by providing comfort, support and entertainment during all phases of their medical journey. Lullwater Park is located at 1463 Clifton Road in Atlanta.

3rd Annual Patty Foell Road Race – October 19
Located at the Doc Chey’s at 1424 N Highland Ave, this race honors the memory of Patty Foell who was a well-known Atlanta runner killed in 2005 by a car while on a run. All race proceeds are donated to the Patty Foell Fund within the Atlanta Track Club.

ZOOMA Atlanta – November 16
Hosted at Atlantic Station, this running event is designed to inspire women to get active. Participants can sign-up at activegiving.com to raise funds for CARE. Runners receive a t-shirt, boxed lunch, mini spa treatments and free training. The post-race party includes live music, shopping, demos and product samplings.

WonderGirl – November 16
Girls on the Run of Atlanta and the Atlanta Youth Soccer Association host this 5K Road Race. Proceeds benefit both organizations. The race takes place at the Arizona Avenue Soccer Complex, near Decatur and Kirkwood.

This week’s featured run is a 5 mile route through Druid Hills. You can access a map of this route at Map My Run under my group Atlanta Running.

Druid Hills – 5 Miles

· Start at the CVS location at 1554 N. Decatur Road
· Turn right on N. Decatur
· Turn right on Oakdale Road
· Oakdale becomes Emory Road and cross Oxford Road
· Follow Emory to Briarcliff Road
· Turn left on Briarcliff
· Turn left on Harvard Road
· Turn left on Springdale Road
· Cross N. Decatur and continue on Springdale
· Turn left on Ponce de Leon Avenue
· Turn left on Lullwater Road
· Turn right on N. Decatur and return to CVS

Why do I run?

Like me, a lot of people I know started running for the physical benefits (e.g. managing weight and building endurance). But over time, I’ve found that the mental aspects of running start to matter more.

What do I mean? Running helps me unwind when I’ve had a stressful day. As a working mom, it’s often the only time during the day that I have to myself. Morning runs help me mentally prepare for my day, while evening runs relax my body and calm my mood.

Why do you run? Please share your thoughts by contributing comments to this blog.

This week’s featured run comes from Big Peach Running Company in Decatur. It’s a 6.88 mile route through Decatur, Oakhurst and Druid Hills. You can access a map of this route at Map My Run under my group Atlanta Running.

Decatur – 6.88 miles

· Start at Big Peach Running Company on E. Trinity Place
· Turn left on Trinity and head towards S. Candler Street
· At the Dairy Queen, turn right onto S. Candler Street and cross the railroad tracks
· Turn right on E. Davis Street
· Turn left on S. McDonough Street
· Turn right on Oakview
· From Oakview, turn right onto E. Lake Drive
· Stay on E. Lake, passing the Baptist church and the Marta Station
· Turn left onto Ponce de Leon Ave
· At the sign for Deepdene Park, cross Ponce and turn right on N. Ponce de Leon Ave
· At the end of N. Ponce de Leon, turn left on Ponce de Leon Ave
· Take Ponce back into Decatur
· Turn left on Commerce Drive
· Turn right on College Avenue
· Turn right on S. McDonough (run past Decatur H.S.)
· Turn right on Trinity
· Stop at the start point (Big Peach Running Company)

Running Groups Thrive in Atlanta

Through a Google search on Atlanta running, I was pleasantly surprised to see the number of group runs organized in the metro area. There are groups that cater to a variety of fitness levels, distances, and personal interests. At the Atlanta Track Club’s (ATC) site, I found over 60 group runs listed for every day of the week. I’ve listed a few below:

Oakhurst Running Club
Meets Wednesday at 7:00 pm and Saturdays at 9:00 am in front of One Step at a Time, located in Decatur at 650 East Lake Drive.

Virginia-Highlands Running Club
This group meets Wednesdays at 7:00 pm near the fire station on N. Highland Avenue.

Roswell Runners Club
Starts at 6:30 pm on Thursdays near the Square at Chaplin’s Restaurant on 555 South Atlanta Street.

Chattahoochee Road Runners
Mondays at 6:00 pm in Marietta, behind the TGI Friday’s on Powers Ferry Road.

Windward Road Runners
Meets on Saturdays at 6:30 am at the Starbucks located at 3070 Windward Parkway.

This week’s featured run comes from the UPS Health and Fitness Center. It’s a 4.5 mile loop through Sandy Springs and Dunwoody. You can access a map of this route at Map My Run under my group Atlanta Running.

UPS Run – Sandy Springs/Dunwoody:

· Start at the corner of Abernathy and Glenlake Parkway (near 400)
· Turn right on Glenlake Parkway
· Turn right on Glenridge Drive
· Turn left on Spalding Drive
· Stay on Spalding Drive (turn right at Dairymple Rd and Spalding Dr)
· Turn right on Peachtree-Dunwoody Road
· From Peachtree-Dunwoody, turn left onto Abernathy Road
· End at start point

Runners Share Feedback on the Peachtree Road Race

Congratulations to the runners who participated in this year’s Peachtree Road Race. The race is a Fourth of July tradition in Atlanta and spectators make sure it’s a festive and patriotic celebration. While I haven’t run the race in a few years, I continue to be amazed at the Atlanta Track Club’s (ATC) logistics expertise for managing an event of this size.

I was curious to hear from runners about their thoughts on the race’s new route and its impact on their Peachtree experience. Some runners found it tough ending the race on an uphill at Juniper. Everyone that I talked to missed the Piedmont Park experience. However, there was lots of kudos for the ATC. Runners felt the Track Club did a top-notch job managing the event despite the challenges of hosting 55,000+ people at the Civic Center’s parking lot.

How was your race experience? Share your feedback by contributing comments to this blog.

This week’s featured run is from Virginia-Highland to Inman Park. You can access a map of this route at Map My Run under my group Atlanta Running.

Virginia-Highland to Inman Park - 4 miles:

· Start at the corner of Virginia Ave and N. Highland Ave.
· Run down N. Highland Ave towards Ponce de Leon Ave.
· Cross Ponce and Freedom Parkway
· Turn left on Cleburn Ave.
· Turn left on Seminole Ave.
· Turn right on Sinclair Ave.
· Sinclair merges into Austin
· Turn left on Elizabeth Ave.
· Turn right on Euclid Ave.
· Turn left on Moreland Ave.
· Turn left on Mansfield Ave.
· Turn right on Seminole Ave.
· Turn right on Cleburn Ave.
· Turn right on N. Highland Ave End run at N. Highland and Virginia

Safety Tips for Runner

Common sense and smart gear can help you stay safe while running outdoors. Here are a few safety tips I came across at RRCA.org and Runtheplanet.com:

Stay Alert.
Don't use headphones or other devices that distract you from your surroundings.

Carry Identification.
Take personal identification, emergency phone numbers, and a medical insurance card. Road I.D. offers wearable i.d. tags designed for athletes.

Run with a Partner.
There's safety in numbers. Join a running group or run with a dog. Most running stores in Atlanta host weekly group runs.

Wear Reflective Apparel.
Make sure that cars and cyclists can see you if you run in the morning or evening.

Bring Pepper Spray.
Protect yourself from stray dogs or attackers. Pepper spray is available in runner-friendly containers at most sporting-goods stores.

Carry a Cell Phone.
Make sure you can contact help if you're injured or lost during a run.

This week's featured running route is Oakhurst, which is a great neighborhood in Decatur. The route is also available at my group page Atlanta Running.

Oakhurst - 3.65 miles

• Start at the Dairy Queen on E. Trinity in Decatur.
• Cross over the railroad tracks and W. College Ave towards S. Candler St.
• Stay on S. Candler St. and run past Agnes Scott College.
• Turn right on E. Davis St.
• Turn left on S. McDonough St.
• At the traffic light, turn right on W. Hill St.
• At Oakhurst Village, cross Oakview Rd. and turn right on E. Lake Dr.
• Follow E. Lake through Oakhurst (run under the railroad tracks and College Ave.)
• At the traffic light for Paden Circle, turn left and run uphill past the Marta parking lot.
• Turn left on W. Howard Ave.
• Follow W. Howard back to the Dairy Queen (the street merges into College Ave.)

Start training for the ING Georgia Marathon/Half-Marathon with Girls on the Run

Girls on the Run (GOTR) of Atlanta is forming a Team Tiara Training group for the 2009 ING Georgia Marathon/Half-Marathon. It’s a great opportunity to train with other runners while raising funds to support GOTR Atlanta programs. Runners of any age, gender, or ability are encouraged to participate. Through its running programs, GOTR fosters self-confidence and a healthy lifestyle among young girls.

To learn more about the training program, GOTR is hosting a Team Tiara Info Night next Tuesday, July 1 at 6:30 pm at Phidippides in Sandy Springs. You can also find information at its Team Tiara Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/p.php?i=651766007&k=Y6FY22Q2U2VM5AEGYCXYTW


Here's one of my favorite training routes I ran in preparation for the ING Georgia Half-Marathon. It's also available at my group page Atlanta Running.


Decatur to Druid Hills - 10.6 miles

• Start at Fellini’s at Commerce St. and Sycamore Place St.


• Turn right at Howard St.Stay on Howard/Dekalb Ave. for approximately 2 miles. Pass Decatur Hight School and the East Lake Marta Station.


• Turn right on Ridgecrest St.


• Turn left on McClendon Ave.


• Stay on McClendon for approximately 2 miles. Pass Flying Biscuit Café and Candler Park.


• Turn right on Moreland Ave.


• Turn right on Fairview Rd.


• Turn left on Springdale Rd.


• Turn right on N. Decatur Road.


• Turn left on Oakdale Rd.


• Turn left Ponce de Leon Ave. through Druid Hills to Downtown Decatur.


• Once in Downtown Decatur, turn right on Church St.


• Turn left on Sycamore St.


• Turn right on Sycamore Place St.


• Cross Commerce St. and return to Fellini’s parking lot

Favorite Running Gear

Most runners that I know have a few items they consider essential for running. Here are my favorites:

Garmin Forerunner 305
I’m a big fan of the Garmin Forerunner 305. It’s a GPS device that’s worn like a wrist watch. You can track your milage, running pace, and calories burned. It’s great when you want to explore a neighborhood or discover a new running route.

B.O.B. Revolution Stroller
In my opinion, it’s the best running stroller. The front wheel has an option for a swivel or locked setting. At 8 pounds, it’s light weight and simple to maneuver. Plus it’s easy to clean. Best of all, my child loves riding in this stroller. You can usually get a good deal on the B.O.B. Revolution stroller during REI’s May anniversary sale.

Pepper Spray
Safety counts. No matter how familiar I am with a neighborhood, I don’t leave home without my pepper spray. Most sporting-goods stores carry pepper sprays in runner-friendly containers.

What’s your favorite gear? Share your thoughts by commenting to this blog.

Featured running route (also saved in Map My Run at my group Atlanta Running):

Decatur to Little Five Points – 8.16 miles

· Start at Fellini’s at Commerce St. and Sycamore Place
· Turn right at Howard Ave.
· Stay on Howard/Dekalb Ave. for approximately 2 miles. Pass the East Lake Marta Station.
· Turn right on Ridgecrest Rd.
· Turn left on McClendon Ave.
· Stay on McClendon for approximately 2 miles. Pass Flying Biscuit Café and Candler Park.
· Turn right on Moreland Ave.
· Turn right on Ponce de Leon Ave.
· Take Ponce de Leon Ave. through Druid Hills to Downtown Decatur
· Once in Downtown Decatur, turn right on Church St.
· Turn left on Sycamore St.
· Turn right on Sycamore Place
· Cross Commerce St. and return to Fellini’s parking lot

New Group Evening Runs in Decatur

Based on a strong response from Decatur runners, the recently opened Big Peach Running Company (BPRC) has organized two weekly group runs. The runs are offered on Tuesday and Thursday nights at 6:30 p.m. Runners have the option of a three, four or five-mile route.

There was a good showing for the first run this Tuesday. I ran the five-mile route, which covers Oakhurst and Downtown Decatur. Although the weather was hot (and I was pushing a 3 ½ year-old in a stroller), it was still a pretty nice run. The route took me through parts of Oakhurst that I wasn’t familiar with. If you’re looking for a group running experience in Decatur, it’s worth checking out.

Here’s the five-mile route – it’s also saved in Map My Run under my group Atlanta Running.

Big Peach Running Company – Decatur (5 miles)
· Start at BPRC at 114 E. Trinity Pl.
· Facing Trinity, turn left on Trinity (towards Church St.)
· Turn right at S. Candler St. (by the Dairy Queen)
· Cross the railroad tracks and pass Agnes Scott College
· Turn right on E. Davis St.
· Turn left on S. McDonough St.
· Turn right on W. Hill St.
· Turn right on Oakview Rd.
· Veer left on Ansley St.
· Turn left on McDonough St. and cross the railroad tracks.
· At Trinity turn left and pass the courthouse
· Turn right on Swanton Way
· Turn left on Ponce de Leon Pl.
· At Clairmont Ave. turn right
· Cross Commerce and turn left on E. Ponce de Leon Ave.
· Turn right at Sycamore Pl.
· Turn left on Sycamore St.
· Turn left on N. Candler St.
· Turn right on E. Trinity and end run at BPRC

Atlanta Running

Welcome to Atlanta Running!

This is my first post for the blog. My goal is to connect with other Atlanta runners and share tips on running in this beautiful city. Check out the Map My Run tool to map your favorite routes.

As an intown resident, some of my favorite routes include neighborhoods in Decatur, Druid Hills, and Candler Park. I thought I'd start this post by listing a few of these runs below -- the routes are also saved in Map My Run under my group Atlanta Running. I hope you'll contribute to this blog by adding your favorite running routes.

Decatur (4.25 miles)

• Start at Fellini's on Commerce Drive
• Head down Sycamore Place towards Carpe Diem and turn right on Howard Street
• Run approximately 2 miles down Howard (pass Decatur High School and the East Lake Marta Station)
• Turn right on Ridgecrest and pass McClendon
• Turn right on Ponce de Leon and take this road back into Decatur
• Pass Taco Mac and the old Courthouse
• Turn right at Commerce Road (across from Decatur First United Methodist Church)
• End run at Fellini's

Druid Hills (5.7 miles)

• Start at Panera Bread on North Decatur Road (across from CVS)
• From the parking lot, turn right on North Decatur Road and then turn left onto Lullwater Road
• From Lullwater, turn right on Ponce de Leon
• Turn right onto Oakdale Road
• From Oakdale Road, turn left on North Decatur Road
• Turn right on Springdale Road
• Take Springdale Road back to Ponce de Leon
• Turn left on Ponce de Leon, and then turn left on Lullwater Road
• Take Lullwater Road back to North Decatur Road
• At North Decatur Road, turn right
• End run at Panera Bread