I’m on a Mission for a Stronger Immune System

A nasty respiratory virus has been making its way around Atlanta and I fell victim to it last month. Chest-aching cough and blocked sinuses delivered nearly four weeks of misery. Ever since I became a mom, I’ve had a tough time fighting off colds and viruses. Getting sick becomes a real challenge when you’re training for a race. Losing a week or two of running can derail a meticulously planned training schedule.

Over the next few weeks, I’m going to research information on boosting my immune system. My search will include conversations with co-workers, friends and medical practitioners, web surfing news and health sites, and flipping through recent issues of Runner’s World. I expect to get lots of input on diet, but I’m wondering what else I’ll learn. Does sleep make a big difference? Will over-the-counter vitamins and supplements offer a meaningful boost? I’ll provide updates on my search at this blog. I’d love to hear your opinions and advice.

Product Review: thriv running apparel

I was recently offered an opportunity to review a running shirt from thriv, a new brand entering the athletic apparel market. Let me start first with a disclaimer: I received two shirts for free to review (one for me and one for my husband). I’m under no obligation to publish my review, and the opinions that I share are based on my and my husband’s experiences. O.K -- so now for my review.

To be honest, I was pleasantly surprised by the shirt. It feels lighter and softer than the typical running shirt that’s designed to wick sweat. And it’s quite comfortable. I wore the shirt twice during afternoon runs when the weather was in the low 70s. Typically, I get warm pretty quickly so I don’t like to keep a shirt on for long. I was a bit amazed that I felt pretty comfortable wearing this shirt throughout each of my 50-minute runs. It did a good job of wicking away sweat. My husband also liked the shirt and his feedback was similar to mine. Washing instructions are the same for other sports apparel I own (cold water wash/tumble dry low). The brand promotes its use of bamboo and organic cotton as key materials. I appreciate the use of a sustainable plant like bamboo (regarded as the fastest growing woody plant on the earth). It would be really cool if thriv could eventually offer a garment recycling program like Patagonia’s Common Threads. You can purchase thriv apparel at Sports Authority online and at select Sports Authority stores. My husband and I tested the short-sleeve shirts that sell for $24.99. The brand also includes long-sleeve shirts, shorts, pants and racer-back tops.

Halloween Day Race Offers Family Fun

I’m a fan of events that support local schools. Here’s one that offers something fun for every member of the family.

Oakhurst Preschool Cooperative hosts its 3rd annual Beat the Street for Little Feet at Candler Park. The event includes both a 5K and 1-mile race plus a fun run for kiddies. After the race, stay for the children’s festival. Activities include live music, a costume contest, face painting and food. The 5K route is available at the event site. Register at Active.com or at your neighborhood Big Peach Running Co. Proceeds from the race help the school provide tuition assistance and classroom supplies.

Have an old pair of running shoes lying around? Donate them at the race to Nike’s Reuse-A-Shoe program. Nike’s site features a cool video showing how old shoes are deconstructed and repurposed for a variety of play surfaces.

It’s Fall … Get Out and Run Atlanta!

It’s almost the middle of October and Run Georgia’s Race Calendar shows over 50 race events scheduled for the remainder of the month. There’s no excuse not to get outside and run. Here are a few races to consider:

Big Peach Fall 5 Miler – October 17
If you’re in Marietta, don’t miss this race. Big Peach always hosts a great event. The course runs through the neighborhoods of East Cobb. Register at any Big Peach Running Co. location.

Monster Dash 5K and Little Goblin Run – October 17
You gotta love a race with a Halloween theme. The beautiful neighborhood of Grant Park hosts this family-friendly event. While online registration closes October 12, you can sign-up on race day.

Atlanta Dog Jog – October 24
Looking for an easy run with your four-legged friend? This event offers the choice of a 1 or 2-mile course. If you run the 2-mile course, you and your pup are eligible to win. Awards given to the top three finishers in the small, medium, and large dog categories.

Run Like Hell 5K – October 31
What better way to kick-off Halloween festivities than a race through Oakland Cemetery. Run past the headstones and mausoleums of Atlanta’s most notable dead. Proceeds benefit the cemetery’s restoration efforts.

Callaway Gardens Twilight 10K – November 7
It’s not likely you’ll find a more scenic course in November. Spend the evening running through gardens and holiday lights display. The race is limited to the first 500 registrants. It’s a qualifier for the Peachtree Road Race.

Cabbagetown Romp and Stomp 5K – November 7
Looking for an intown run? Check out the Cabbagetown Romp and Stomp. After running the quick course, race participates can celebrate over a bowl of free chili. Registration is available online at Active.com or at Big Peach Running Co. locations.

What it Means to be a Volunteer

I’ve been thinking a lot about volunteering lately. A blog post by my friend Nadine Randall offered a candid, moving account about her experience with Girls on the Run Atlanta. Often times, volunteering leaves us with a sense of pride and altruism. But Nadine’s story didn’t reflect on those factors. Rather, it focused on her uncertainty over her ability to coach and mentor a group of girls. Over time, she gained confidence in her skills and discovered a sense of joy in her role. And that’s an important lesson. While we often view volunteering as a selfless act, we gain in ways we don’t always expect.


This week’s route is the Run for Research 5K course at Piedmont Park:
· Start at the corner of 14th and W. Peachtree St.
· Head towards Piedmont Park
· Follow the path around Lake Clara Meed and through Piedmont Park
· Exit Piedmont Park at 10th St.
· Run down 10th St. toward W. Peachtree St.
· Turn right on W. Peachtree St.
· Turn right on 13th St.
· End at 13th St. and Peachtree Walk

The Inside Scoop of Volunteering at a Road Race

Over the past 10 years, I’ve run in a variety of races – from fun runs to half marathons. I was always amazed at the number of volunteers who came out to operate the event and cater to runners. For big events, like the Peachtree Road Race, hundreds of helpers are needed. I decided it was finally time to get a different experience from a road race by serving as a volunteer.

The Fall Five was a new 5K race in my neighborhood that benefitted a local school. I’ve helped manage large-scale events for my company, but I figured there was a lot I could learn by volunteering at a local road race.

As with any event, there are many details to coordinate – like a web site and online registration, traffic cones to mark the route, signs to alert neighbors who live along the route, along with safety pins for race numbers and food and water for runners. On top of that, you also have to deal with the weather. Atlanta has seen rain all week and Saturday was no exception for the race. Runners found shelter at Navo Church as they waited for the race to start – a nice offering that most running events can’t easily provide.

I tried to help out wherever I could. Since I’m not the quiet type, I landed the job of race announcer. This meant I got to talk a lot on a bullhorn, which was fun. Along with starting the race, I also cheered the runners as they neared the finish line. I got a glimpse of what it meant to be a race director. You’re the person that everyone looks for to make decisions and keep the show running. It’s a tough, demanding job that requires a lot of dedication. While I’m not looking to lead a race anytime soon, I plan to look for more opportunities to volunteer. It’s a worthwhile experience for every runner.

This week’s running route is the course from the Fall Five. A map of the course is available at WalkJogRun.net.

· Start at the corner of Oakview Rd and Spring St.
· Head north on Oakview, towards East Lake Dr.
· Cross East Lake Dr.
· From Oakview, turn right on Adams St.
· Turn right on Hill St.
· Turn left on McKoy St.
· Run through McKoy Park
· Exit McKoy Park and turn right on Spring St.
· Turn left on Oakview Rd.
· Turn right on 2nd Ave.
· Turn right on 3rd Ave.
· Turn right on East Lake Dr.
· End at East Lake and Oakview

Look who's on Twitter ... Lots of Runners

As a Twitter junkie, I occasionally tweet about my blog. When I do, it leads to a few new followers who tweet about running. Which made me wonder, how many running-related twitterers are out there? Apparently, a lot. You can find a listing of the most-followed Twitter accounts at wefollow.com. Here are a few to check out:

@ActiveNetworks – 16, 596 followers
The site that seems to manage registration for nearly every race is on Twitter. Tweets include links to articles and tips on training.

@RunnersWorld – 15,608 followers
Running news from around the world with links to the magazine’s online articles and videos.

@Cool_Running – 11,360 followers
Similar to the @ActiveNetworks, you see plenty of tweets with links to tips and news articles on running.

@Runningnews – 16,109 followers
News and information from across the web, including links to popular blogs and running sites.

@bmorrissey – 8,643 followers
Brian Morrissey is the Digital Editor at Adweek and you’ll find tweets about his training runs in NYC.

@1stMarathonPlan – 3,144 followers
As the name implies, J David Doss posts lots of tweets about marathons and training tips.

@just_finish – 2,031 followers
Hosted by Kevin Green, this Twitter account supports people training to complete events. Plenty of positive tweets found here.

@raygill1 – 3088 followers
A self-proclaimed coach, triathlete and fitness addict, Ray includes several links to interesting running and fitness content.

@runningscoop – 1,413 followers
A good source for links to stories about runners and online race registration.

@peachyruns - 1,122 followers
This is the Twitter handle for Big Peach Running Company. You'll find news on Atlanta events and running gear.