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