Celebrate Running at May Events

Spring temperatures have finally arrived in Atlanta, which means great running weather. Be sure to check out these events during the first week of May.

Big Peach Running Co. 5K Run/Walk – May 2
Brookhaven is one of the prettiest neighborhoods in Atlanta. Runners hit the streets of this neighborhood next Saturday for Big Peach’s 5K race. The race starts near the Brookhaven MARTA Station and ends at the Big Peach location on Peachtree Road. Top overall finishers and age group winners receive Big Peach gift cards. Proceeds from the race benefit the Georgia Chapter of Leukemia & Lymphoma Society/Team In Training.

Fit & Feminine Fiesta – May 5
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with women runners at West Stride’s Fit & Feminine Fiesta. The evening includes sports bra fittings, special deals for ladies throughout the store (including a buy one sports bra, get one $10 off deal), free massages, margaritas and Mexican food. As part of the event, West Stride will raise funds for Susan G. Komen's Race for the Cure. The event runs from 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Contact info@weststride.com or call 404-467-1010 for more information.

This week’s route is the 5K race rout for the Big Peach run. You’ll find a map for the route at Map My Run under my group Atlanta Running.


· Start at the corner of N. Druid Hills Rd. and Standard Dr.
· Run down N. Druid Hills and turn right on Lenox Park Blvd.
· Veer left onto Park Vista Dr.
· Turn right on E. Roxboro Rd.
· Turn right on Peachtree Rd.
· End at Big Peach Running Co.

Warm Up During Winter with Atlanta Road Races

Winter in Atlanta is typically a pleasant time of year to run. It’s also a great time to support local causes through road races. At Active.com, there were nearly 20 races listed in the Atlanta area. Here are a few that support local charities:

Around Peachtree Battle 5K – January 10
Proceeds go to the Atlanta Union Mission’s women and children’s shelter.

CDLS 5K – February 7
Event benefits the Cornelia de Lange Syndrome Foundation and research facilities.

Merrick’s Walk & 5K Fun Run – February 22
The event is in memory of Galloway School Alum Merrick Ryan, who died of complications from anorexia. Proceeds benefit EDIN.

Druid Hills Fun Run 5K/1K Fundraisers – February 22
Event benefits the Lance Armstrong Foundation for cancer survivorship.

Jeanne’s Memorial Run – February 28
Proceeds support Noah's Ark Animal Rehabilitation and Child Care Homes.

Hunger Run 2009 – March 1
Event benefits the Atlanta Community Food Bank.

Shamrock N’ Roll 5K/10K Road Race – March 15
Hosted by the Junior League of Atlanta, the event supports the community partners of this women’s organization.

Rhodes Race 5/10K – March 21
This inaugural race benefits the Georgia Trust for Historical Preservation.

I found another interesting route this week at WalkJogRun.net. It’s a 4.5-mile run through Buckhead.

· Start at the corner of Pharr Rd. and N. Fulton Dr.
· Turn right on Peachtree Rd.
· Turn left on W. Paces Ferry Rd.
· Turn right on Habersham Rd.
· Turn right on Roswell Rd.
· Turn left on Buckhead Ave.
· Turn right on Maple Dr.
· Turn right on Pharr
· End at starting point

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