Spring is Here! Atlanta Races to Run in April

I grew up in Florida, so I’ve never been fond of winter weather. While Mother Nature is inching her way to spring (enough already with the rain and gloomy skies), the calendar is showing lots of road races for runners. Here’s a list of intown events to check out:

Run for Success – April 3
The women’s engineering and technical sciences sorority, Alpha Omega Epsilon, is hosting this inaugural 5K at the Georgia Tech campus. The race benefits Dress for Success which helps low-income women dress professionally for job interviews. The race course starts and ends at the intersection of Atlantic and Ferst.

Run Before You Crawl – April 10
Running + Pub Crawl = Great Fun. Yes, the businesses of East Atlanta have created a truly unique event. The 5K race begins at 9:00 a.m. and the pub crawl starts at 10:30. As the event site states, why not replenish the calories you burned on the run with a beer (or more).

Sweetwater 420 Fest 5K – April 17
The annual Sweetwater 420 Festival delivers a weekend of music, good beer, and environmental activism. The race starts at a weekend-friendly time of 11:00 a.m. and the course travels through the Candler Park neighborhood. Proceeds benefit the Candler Park Neighborhood Organization.

Dow Live Earth Run for Water – April 18
Pemberton Place (next to the World of Coke) plays host to this global 6K event – road races, music and water education activities will take place in a 192 countries. Why a 6K? According to the event site, women and children in Africa walk on average 6 kilometers to access safe drinking water. The big draw to this event may be the post-race concert featuring Matchbox Twenty frontman Rob Thomas. A portion of the registration fees will support Chattahoochee Riverkeeper and Global Water Challenge.

Take Back the Night – April 24
This Decatur event raises funds for the Dekalb Rape Crisis Center. The 1-mile run starts at 5:00 p.m. and the 5K kicks-off at 5:30 p.m. The race takes place at Agnes Scott College (ASC) and the course runs through the neighborhoods of Oakhurst and East Lake before ending back at ASC. Sign-up online or at Big Peach Running Company.

The Green Dash: Atlanta’s Earth Day 5K – April 24
Head to Piedmont Park to join fellow Atlantans celebrating Earth Day. Runners can register at Phidippides’ Ansley Park store or online at Active.com. The race is limited to the first 1,000 runners. Proceeds benefit the Piedmont Park Conservancy.

Mother Nature was Kind to ING Georgia Runners

To rain or not rain … that was the question frustrating me all week. The forecast was not looking good for runners racing in the ING Georgia Marathon and Half-Marathon. Fortunately, weather reports are not a guarantee. While the skies looked gloomy, the mild temperature and light drizzle made for ideal running weather.

Over 18,000 runners hit the streets of downtown Atlanta early this morning. This is my 3rd year running the ING Georgia and I’m glad to see continued improvements in how the event is managed. The corrals were well organized and we moved quickly to the starting line. The crowds of spectators seemed lighter than in previous years but they were a welcomed sight. My favorite was the choir of gospel singers in the Old 4th Ward. I sure could have used those ladies singing a few hallelujahs for me around the 11-mile mark. This year my training was pretty lackluster but I surprised myself my keeping a steady, strong pace. Though my legs were aching by the 11th mile, I had enough energy and willpower to pick-up my pace during the final stretches of the race. My finish time for the half-marathon was 2:04:05 – nearly the same as last year (when my training was much stronger).

Make no mistake, this is a big event to organize and it requires lots of volunteers, police officers, equipment and food. I’m grateful for all the folks who chose to give up their Sunday morning so I could run this race. Everyone was pleasant and did their best to be helpful. The course is fantastic, taking you on a tour of some of Atlanta’s most picturesque and historic neighborhoods.

March is a tricky time of year to host a race in Atlanta. Temperatures can be sunny and 70°F or snowy and 30°F. The ING Georgia organizers lucked out this year. Hopefully their good luck will continue.

Want to repeat the fun? Sign-up for the 2011 race opens Tuesday, March 23rd with a 50% discount on the entry fee for the first 200 registrants and a 40% discount for the next 200. Any one who registers by March 30 will automatically receive a 30% discount on the entry fee.

Molly Barker knows how to bring a room to tears. At Tuesday’s celebration, the founder of Girls on the Run (GOTR) mesmerized the audience with stories of personal struggles and inspiration. Like many of us, Molly felt awkward as a girl on the verge of becoming a teenager. That free spirit that young girls radiate gives way insecurity – or as Molly calls it, “the girl box” where girls focus on being who they think they should be rather than embracing who they really are.

Through its running programs, GOTR fosters self-confidence and a healthy lifestyle among girls aged 8 to 13. When she started GOTR in 1996, Molly had 3 goals:

1.) Help girls define their values
2.) Foster connectedness and help girls build positive relationships
3.) Encourage girls to become “change agents”

In 2000, GOTR came to Atlanta. Over the past 10 years, 6,000 metro-Atlanta girls have participated in GOTR programs. The girls “graduate” by participating in a 5K with their GOTR team mates and coaches. As a volunteer for GOTR’s Fall 5K, I got to see first hand the pure joy girls experienced completing the race. I’ve run a lot of races and none matched the excitement and fun these running girls brought to the event.

As a runner and a mom, I’m grateful for people like Molly Barker and the hundreds of volunteers who help girls escape the confines of “the girl box” and stay true to their real self.

Thanks Molly!

Don’t Let Distracted Drivers Run You Off The Road

As a self-proclaimed social media junkie and corporate blogger, I’m a big fan of technology. But the growing problem of drivers using mobile devices creates a dangerous situation for runners.

According to Runner’s World, nearly 20 runners were killed by drivers in the first 10 months of 2009. And the Department of Transportation states that 80% of all car accidents are caused by driver distraction.

Atlanta roads present their own risks. Along with our famously congested roadways, sidewalks can be scarce in some neighborhoods. It can be scary – which is why it’s important for runners to plan ahead.

Here are some tips to consider:

· Think About Your Route – Parks can offer safe pathways away from traffic. If that’s not an option, choose a course with sidewalks. Run against traffic to see cars and to react to drivers who may not see you.

· Be Visible – Wear apparel that makes you noticeable to others. Reflective vests and bright colors are helpful any time of day. If you’re running during dusk or dark, add a light to illuminate yourself.

· Stay Alert – Leave iPods and headphones at home. If you have to cross a busy street, do so at a stop sign or traffic light when cars are forced to stop. And be sure that drivers see you before you cross the road.

· Wear I.D. – If the worse happens, have identification with you. Road ID is a great choice – you can have your name, emergency contacts and insurance information engraved on a shoe pocket or wrist band.

Be sure to check out recommended safety gear from Runner’s World – lots of great ideas for apparel and reflective items.

Stay safe Atlanta!

Chocolate Milk Does the Runner’s Body Good

Like a lot of runners, I typically reach for a Gatorade or a cold glass of water after a run. Not any more. I’m now turned on to the benefits of chocolate milk as the ultimate post-run recovery drink. Who knew a childhood favorite would deliver essential nutrients for runners?

Runners need a combination of protein and carbs within 30 minutes of a run to refuel and repair muscles. And chocolate milk offers the perfect balance of these nutrients. Liz Applegate, Ph.D., touts the importance of milk for runners in the January issue of Runner’s World. I’ve never been much of a milk drinker, but now I try to get a few servings every day to gain the benefits that this vitamin-packed elixir offers.

If you’re training for the ING Georgia Race (like me) or another long-distance event, it’s important to get nutrients that restore your muscles. And chocolate milk is an ideal way to help your body recover from a hard workout.

As mom always said, drink your milk – it’s good for you!

This week’s route is one of my favorite runs around Druid Hills. It’s a good training run for the ING Georgia Half-Marathon. 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

Atlanta Road Races Galore in February and March

There are nearly 30 road races taking place around metro Atlanta – from Madri Gras fun runs to the ING Georgia Marathon. Here’s an overview of some the races:

Chattahoochee Challenge 10K – February 6
Believe it or not, it’s not too soon to get a qualifying time for July’s Peachtree Road Race. The Chattahoochee Challenge boasts a flat, fast course along the river. Online registration is closed but you can still sign-up at Big Peach Running Co. locations.

Front Page News’ Madri Gras Half-Fast 5K – February 13
If ever there was a “fun run” this is it. Runners race through Atlanta’s lovely Candler Park neighborhood. The race ends a short distance from Front Page News where discounts and celebratory drinks are on hand. Register online at Active.com or at Phidippides’ Ansley Mall store.

KSU Owls Making Stride 5K – February 20
Kennesaw State plays host to this on-campus event. The race starts and ends near the school’s convocation center. Runners and volunteers receive 4 free tickets to the KSU women’s basketball game, which follows post-race festivities. Proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society.

Run Thru the Forest 5K – February 27
In its 2nd year, this Smyrna race raises funds for the Georgia Transplant Foundation. The American Legion hosts a post-race breakfast for $6. Registration is available at Active.com or at Big Peach Running Co.

Red Devil Dash 5K – March 6
Help support high school sports. The race benefits the Phillip Hicks Memorial Scholarship Fund and the booster club for Druid Hills High’s soccer team. Register in advance at Active.com or on-site on the day of the race.

O’Highlands Jig & Jog 5K – March 13
Here’s a neighborhood event that welcomes everybody … runners, walkers, strollers, and dogs. In the holiday mood? Wear an Irish-themed costume for a chance to win $25. Stick around after the race for prize drawings. Sign-up at Phidippides or online at Active.com.

Tour DeCatur 5K – March 13
Celebrating its 8th year, Tour DeCatur is an annual fundraiser for the Decatur Education Foundation. Along with the 5K, there’s also a 1-mile run/walk and a tot trot. The race starts and ends at Decatur High School. Register online at the event site.

Shamrock ‘N Roll Road Race – March 14
Hit the streets of Atlantic Station with the Junior League of Atlanta. The 10K race is a qualifier for the Peachtree Road Race. Want to bring a friend? Dogs and strollers are welcomed. There’s no onsite registration so be sure to sign-up in advance. You can do so at Active.com.

ING Georgia Marathon & Half-Marathon – March 21
It’s the big race of the season. Thousands of runners will race through some of Atlanta’s best neighborhoods - Inman Park, Little Five Points, Decatur, Druid Hills and Virginia Highlands. Routes for both races are available at the event site. Registration is available at Active.com and at the race expo.

West Stride and Phidippides Offer Free Training Program for ING Georgia

Plan to run the ING Georgia this year? Don’t train alone.

Last year, I trained for the half-marathon with Girls on the Run at West Stride. Owner Genie Beaver was a terrific host, offering free coffee and baked goods, route maps and prize drawings.

This year, West Stride and Phidippides have teamed up with Adidas to offer the Fit for ING Training Program. Each store alternates hosting group runs on Saturdays at 8:00 a.m. Along with routes that feature water stops, Olympian Todd Williams will be on hand to offer training tips. After each run, take advantage of the free coffee and food. You can find the schedule for group runs at both West Stride and Phidippides’s web sites. The next run takes place this Saturday at West Stride’s location.

This week’s route comes from West Stride’s group page at MapMyRun. You’ll find a lot of good long routes for half-marathon training.