Race Review: The North Face Endurance Challenge

Last weekend, The North Face brought its Endurance Challenge to Georgia. The event featured seven races – from a 5K run to the grueling Gore-Tex 50 Mile competition. And all these races were run on trails.

My friend and colleague Kevin Coffey hit the ground to run the 10K race. Having never run a trail event, I wanted to learn more about Kevin’s experience and find out what it’s really like to run a race on a trail.

How long have you been running?
I started running a year ago. Running was something that I could easily fit into my schedule and it gave me the opportunity to explore my neighborhood.

Not only was this my first trail run, but it was also my first organized running event.

So, how was the trail?
It was definitely a challenge. The trail featured all the obstacles you could imagine – rocks, tree roots, stairs, streams, bushes and branches – with lots of elevation changes. For the most part, the trail was narrow and racers were forced to run single file. Some parts of the trail edged along the side of a very steep hill –one wrong step and you’d find yourself off the trail and sliding downhill.

While it took longer to run the race on a trail vs. a paved surface, the scenery was extraordinary. I liked the challenge that the trail presented. Overall, it was a great experience.

What shoes did you run in?
I wore trail shoes from La Sportiva. I liked the fact that the sole was durable while the upper part was mesh.

How many runners were on the trail with you?
There were probably around 200 runners for the 10K race. Most of the other races seemed to have 100 participants each.

It’s amazing to think that there were seven races taking place at this event. Was it well organized?
Definitely. There was a festival center with a runners recovery area, massages and live music. And for kids, there was a fun run that included costumed characters who ran the race along side the kids. The North Face also hosted a panel discussion with Dean Karnazes and other elite runners. They talked about tips and techniques for trail running.

What about the swag?
Each race featured different types of swag. Along with Kleen Kanteen water bottles, 10K runners received a branded bag and two technical shirts. There was on-site screen printing were runners could have a design for their specific race printed on their shirt.

So, is there another trail run in your future?
Yes – I’m already looking for more trail races.

Atlanta Runners: Lace Up for October Races

Can you believe it? It’s nearly mid-October yet the temperatures have been flirting near the 80-degree mark. Not exactly fall weather, but that won’t keep runners sidelined. October is a popular month for road races in Atlanta. Whether you’re looking for a Halloween-themed event or a charity run, there are a lot of options to choose from. Here are a few to consider:

Monster Dash – October 16
Break out the Halloween costume early and head down to Grant Park for this family-friendly race. Costumes are encouraged and strollers are welcomed. The 5K race starts at 8:00 a.m. Got a little monster? Register them for the Little Goblin Run which starts at 8:50 a.m. Proceeds benefit the Grant Park Cooperative Preschool.

Gold Rush 5k – October 16
Looking to escape the hustle and bustle of Atlanta? Head to Dahlonega. The Gold Rush 5K starts and ends at North Georgia College & State University. Enjoy the scenic run through downtown Dahlonega. The race starts at 8:00 a.m.

Candler Park Fall Fest 5K – October 23
No need to wake-up early for this race – the start time is 11 a.m. (hallelujah!). Plus a great neighborhood course that’s close to Marta. After the run, stick around for festival food, beer, art and live music. Registration is available at Active.com.

The Morningside Mile – October 24
Are you fast? Strut your stuff and earn cash prizes. The showdown takes place at noon. Not only are the prizes good ($250 for the fastest male and female finishers), but so is the block party. Show your race number at the party and get a free Sweetwater beer or a yogurt. Doc Chey’s is a sponsor, so you can count on good food too.

Be The One Run – October 30
Planning to indulge in Halloween candy? Burn a few calories before your sugar-laden snacking begins at this Halloween-eve run. This is a new race event, with the first taking place in Atlanta at Atlantic Station. The race aims to encourage people to become part of the National Bone Marrow Donor program’s registry. Along with the 8:00 a.m. 5K run, there’s a tot trot at 9:15 a.m.

Run Like Hell 5K – October 30
What better way to celebrate Halloween than run a race through a cemetery? Atlanta’s famous Oakland Cemetery serves as the site for the race course. You’ll get to run past the final resting place of notable Atlantans, including Bobby Jones and Margaret Mitchell. Proceeds benefit the cemetery’s restoration.

UPDATE: Run Like Hell 5K reached it's maximum number of runners this week. Registration is closed. And yes, I'm bummed for procrastinating because I really wanted the T-shirt for this race!

Atlanta Track Club Joins the Blogosphere

Earlier this month, Atlanta Runner’s Blog debuted as part of the Atlanta Track Club’s revamped web site. The blog promises to cover a variety of topics, from nutrition and recipes to coaching tips and local race coverage. It’s a welcomed update from the former ATC site, which was informative but dated in its look and structure. So far, ATC has delivered quite of bit of interesting content on its blog. My favorite? The post about products to help combat odor in your shoes and running clothes. Be sure to read the comments – I learned a few more tips about deodorizing sweaty clothes. And speaking of comments, there appears to be a bug in the comment tool that makes it a bit challenging to read the comments. But I’m sure that will be fixed soon.

Along with the blog, there’s a comprehensive list of road races in the Metro Atlanta area plus a selection of events around the South. If you like running with others, be sure to check out the list of local running groups. Regardless of where you live or work in Atlanta, you’re likely to find a group that’s near your location.

It’s great to see ATC grow its voice online. Atlanta has a big population of runners, many of whom will appreciate the insights that ATC has to offer.

Atlanta Running Route Round-Up

This weekend brought a refreshing break from the sweltering heat of summer. Morning temps in the mid 60s felt like a dream. If you’ve been hiding indoors on the treadmill to avoid the heat, it’s time to reacquaint yourself with the great outdoors (or at least the sidewalks in your neighborhood).

In celebration of fall, here are five of my favorite neighborhood runs. You’ll find a map for the routes at Map My Run under my group Atlanta Running. Enjoy!

Avondale Estates – 4 miles

· Start at the corner of N. Avondale Rd. and Claredon Ave., by the gazebo
· Turn left and head down Kensington Rd.
· Veer right onto Lakeshore Dr.
· Turn right on Ridgecrest Rd.
· At the end of Avondale Lake, turn right on Wilshire Dr.
· Cross Claredon Ave. and turn right on Sussex Rd.
· Turn left on Dartmouth Ave.
· Turn left on Fairfield Plaza
· Turn right on Essex Rd.
· Turn right at S. Avondale Rd.
· Turn right on Dartmouth Ave
· Turn left on Kingstone Rd.
· Turn right on Claredon Ave.
· Turn left on Wilshire Dr.
· Turn left on Berkley Rd.
· Turn left on Kengington Rd.
· End at start point

Virginia-Highland to Inman Park - 4 miles:

· Start at the corner of Virginia Ave and N. Highland Ave.
· Run down N. Highland Ave towards Ponce de Leon Ave.
· Cross Ponce and Freedom Parkway
· Turn left on Cleburn Ave.
· Turn left on Seminole Ave.
· Turn right on Sinclair Ave.
· Sinclair merges into Austin
· Turn left on Elizabeth Ave.
· Turn right on Euclid Ave.
· Turn left on Moreland Ave.
· Turn left on Mansfield Ave.
· Turn right on Seminole Ave.
· Turn right on Cleburn Ave.
· Turn right on N. Highland Ave End run at N. Highland and Virginia

Druid Hills – 5 Miles

· Start at the CVS location at 1554 N. Decatur Road
· Turn right on N. Decatur
· Turn right on Oakdale Road
· Oakdale becomes Emory Road and cross Oxford Road
· Follow Emory to Briarcliff Road
· Turn left on Briarcliff
· Turn left on Harvard Road
· Turn left on Springdale Road
· Cross N. Decatur and continue on Springdale
· Turn left on Ponce de Leon Avenue
· Turn left on Lullwater Road
· Turn right on N. Decatur and return to CVS

West Stride – 6 Miles

· Start from West Stride and run south (toward I-75) on Northside Pkwy.
· Turn right on West Paces Ferry and cross the street at the crosswalk
· Turn left on Nancy Creek Rd.
· Head straight on Nancy Creek and cross W. Wesley Rd.
· Turn left on Ridgewood Rd.
· Turn left on Ridgewood Terr.
· Turn left on Moores Mill
· Turn left on Peachtree Battle
· Turn right on Margaret Mitchell Dr.
· Turn left on Ridge Valley Rd.
· Turn right on Wesley Pkwy.
· Turn left on Margaret Mitchell Dr.
· Turn left on W. Wesley Rd.
· Turn right into Westminster complex
· Turn right at first road (no street name) and follow through complex
· Turn right on W. Paces Ferry
· Turn left on Northside Pkwy.
· End at West Stride

Decatur to Little Five Points – 8 Miles

· Start at the Fellini’s on Commerce and Sycamore Place
· Head towards Howard Street, turn right on Howard
· On Howard, pass Decatur H.S. and the East Lake Marta Station
· Turn right on Ridgewood (after crossing the train tracks)
· Turn left on McClendon Drive
· Turn right on Moreland Ave.
· Turn right on Ponce de Leon Ave.
· Follow Ponce into Decatur
· Run through Downtown Decatur
· Turn right on Commerce Ave.
· End at Fellini’s

Evening Road Races? Yep, Atlanta Does Have a Few.

I recently received an e-mail from a fellow runner who was looking for information on nighttime races. For a variety of reasons, most road races start between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. Morning start times make it easier for race organizers to limit disruptions to car traffic and help runners avoid warm weather.

But what if you’re not a morning person? No worries … here are a few upcoming races to consider:

Alpharetta PAL 5K Challenge – August 26 at 7:00 p.m.
Sponsored by Jackson Healthcare, the event benefits the Alpharetta Police Athletic League. The race starts and finishes at Jackson Healthcare’s offices, located at 2655 Northwinds Parkway in Alpharetta, between Haynes Bridge and Kimball Bridge roads. No need to eat a quick dinner before the race … organizers will serve a pasta dinner to race participants. The cost is $25 and registration is available at Active.com.

Kaiser Permanente Corporate Run/Walk 5K – September 16 at 7:00 p.m.
The streets of downtown Atlanta belong to runners for this evening race. Starting under the Olympic Rings, the course travels through downtown and ends at Turner Field. You can sign up as part of your company’s team or as an individual runner. There’s also a food drive taking place with the event, so please consider contributing a few canned food items. Want to run? Register directly at the event site.

LexisNexis Windward Challenge 5K – September 29 at 6:30 p.m.
Work in Alpharetta? Instead of happy hour, consider hitting the streets for this Wednesday night race. Hosted by LexisNexis, the event starts at the company’s headquarters on Alderman Drive. Have a four-legged running partner? This is a dog-friendly event. Proceeds benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Atlanta. Registration available at Active.com.

8th Annual Autumn Breeze 5K – October 3 at 3:00 p.m.
Tallulah Gorge State Park is nearly 2 hours from Atlanta, but the beautiful scenery may be worth the drive. The course runs along Tallulah Falls Lake and across the Tallulah River. Arrive early and enjoy the park’s breathtaking sites before the race. Visit Active.com to register.

A Little Chocolate and Wine With Your Run? Races that Please the Palate.

Checking out Traxee.com the other day, I couldn’t help but notice a link for The Chocolate Race. Hmmm. I like running and I really like chocolate. Reading about this race got me thinking … are there other races that celebrate good food with good running?

Here’s what I discovered:

The Chocolate Race – August 28 & 29
Port Dalhousie in Canada plays host to this decedent event. Runners can choose from the 5K, 10K or 21K (half-marathon) race. Need a carb hit during the race? Sample the fudge along the race course. The picturesque route runs around the shore of Lake Ontario.

Oregon Wine Country Half Marathon – September 5
Need a break from Atlanta’s heat wave? Consider this race, located less than an hour from Portland. Part of the Wine Country Half Marathon series, the inaugural race promises lovely scenery and a cool climate. Runners can celebrate their accomplishments at the post-race Wine & Music Festival.

The Walt Disney Wine & Dine – October 2
This evening race ensures runners avoid Florida’s summer heat that lingers into October. The course travels through Disney’s famous theme parks and ends with an exclusive post-race party at the Epcot International Wine & Food Festival.

Roots ‘N Blues ‘N BBQ Half Marathon & 10K – October 2
Looking for something savory instead of sweet? This Columbia, Missouri event promises to serve up a tasty meal of BBQ at the post-race party. Along with good food, bands help cheer on runners along the event course.

Hershey Half Marathon – October 3
For those with a sweet tooth, this race may be nirvana. The aroma of chocolate will fill the air during this inaugural event. The route passes by factories for Hershey’s Chocolate and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. Aid stations along the route include a chocolate station.

It’s Hot Atlanta … Stay Safe by Avoiding Heat Stroke

This summer has been so hot, I’m starting to forget what cool weather feels like. While a lot of runners turn to the treadmill to get their weekly mileage, I’ve never been much of an indoor runner. But running in the heat can create unsafe conditions for runners who aren’t careful.

Last August, I wrote a blog post about precautions runners should take to avoid heat stroke. This potentially deadly condition occurs when a person’s cooling system no longer functions properly and can lead to brain and organ damage. With Atlanta settling into another month of 90+ degree temperatures, it seemed like a good idea to publish these tips again.

· Run during the coolest time of the day
· Drink water or a sports drink 2 hours before your run
· When it’s hot, take your run indoors and hit the treadmill
· Keep your route to a shorter distance than you run in cooler weather
· Slow down your pace
· Stop running if you feel uneasy or disoriented
· Cool down your body temperature by drinking water and pouring some over your head
· Take a cell phone to call for help if you feel sick