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