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DEL.ICIO.USLooking for a good long distance run??
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
ING MARATHON UPDATE: Due to tornado damage at the Georgia World Congress Center, the expo for next week’s race has been moved to the Georgia Dome. Schedule times for packet up and seminars are the same. For more info click here.
Some of you who are training for the ING and other marathons asked for suggestions on routes for long distances runs. We checked with marathon trainers Jeff Galloway, Jim Duguay and Gayle Barron.
All three are fans of the Silver Comet Trail. It’s flat and runner friendly. And you can stop intermittently to rest or drink fluids.
Keep in mind that many trails have desolate spots, even the popular Silver Comet. For better safety on long distance runs, go with a partner.
Here’s more routes from the running experts.
From Galloway, who has trained more than 250,000 runners:
Kennesaw Mountain Trails. “Without overlapping you can go 15 to 16 miles,” he says. “But there are plenty of loops and you can get in as much running as you want. The scenery is beautiful. It’s almost like being up in the North Georgia Mountains. If people are not used to running trails, it’s not a good idea. There are rocks and places where you can step into a hole or twist your ankle. ”
He also enjoys running through the Ansley area in midtown Atlanta. Galloway says, “There are so many places there where you can weave your way through neighborhoods. You can find low traffic areas. There are a few spots that you have to cross major intersections to get a longer run in. Piedmont Park is one of those sections [that you can build into] your long run course.
From Duguay, a member of the Atlanta Track Club’s Men’s Masters Team:
He likes the 16-mile Roswell Trail System that starts at Azalea Drive and Willeo Road in Roswell. Run down Azalea Drive and just before Roswell Road shift to the path that follows under the bridge, to continue the trail.
Duguay also suggests the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. The path is marked for mileage. In East Cobb, you can start on Columns Drive and continue into the recreation area. And in Sandy Springs you can enter from Interstate North Parkway off I-285.
From Barron a former Boston Marathon winner: Just get in your car and map out a route in your neighborhood.
That’s what I did years ago. It makes for a very convenient run. Share your favorite long distance routes?
MORE: State of the Art Marathon Training. USA Fit/Team Spirit Active Trainer. Peachtree Road Race. Road Rules. ING Georgia Marathon.
Comments
By John
March 21, 2008 9:11 AM | Link to this
For those that aren’t aware of it, there is a good website at www.mapmyrun.com. You plug in the starting point with an address and you can plot out a running course with all of the mileage marked. I use it all the time. I’ve also verified the accuracy with my cycling computer and a GPS.
By susan
March 21, 2008 9:13 AM | Link to this
Thanks for the tips on long distance running areas. Any areas in Gwinnett County other than the Swannee Greenway? I am on my way to the Silver Comet Trail for my 18 mile run pretty soon. Thanks!
By Pete
March 21, 2008 10:02 AM | Link to this
Stone Mountain Park is great if you are on the east side. It is about 5 miles around the inner loop and 8 around the outer loop. Lots of people around so safety is generally pretty good. Normal caveat about being aware of your surroundings applies. The hills are great to train on as they prepare you for anything you are likely to come across on everything execpt a trail run. If you make multiple loops, reverse every other one. Go east for the first and west for the second. It gives a much more challenging run.
I also like Tibble Mill Park between Grayson and Loganville. It is about 3 miles on the outer loop through the parking lot at the play ground and about 2.75 if you stay next to the lake. You can go multiple loops and go past your car on each. This gives you a great place for a water break plus there are restrooms available. The hills can be steep but they too will get you in shape for most anything you come across in a road race. I’ve not run the trails at Tribble Mill but I hear they are great. As always, be aware of your surroundings. Shame we have to say that, isn’t it.
By John Tackett
March 21, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this
I am a big fan of mapmyrun.com and have about a dozen runs in my profile there. It is great becuase I can also use it to map out runs in cities I may be visiting, and with the satellite view, I can see what the area looks like (industrial, residential, etc.) I also like the fact that I can export my run into google earth.
As far as my long runs, I have done the silver comet, but I like to start my runs before the sun comes up and the silver comet is technically not open until dawn (though I have done many a late night, early morning run on it.) So most of my runs are on the city streets of Atlanta. I have done long runs down Hiway 29 in East Point to Fairburn and back as well as from East Point up to Buckhead and Brookhaven. The city os Atlanta has a serene look in the early morning hours. Usually the only people I see are the homeless and once got propositioned by a working girl.
After I do the Boston Marathon in April, I am going to look into doing trail running and see how Im like that.
But I will recommend that anyone doing any running, especially long runs, get a roadID. I have one and [read my story as to why I believe in them.] (http://roadid.com/Testimonial/testimoniallist.aspx?GoBackURL=http%3a%2f%2froadid.com%2fTestimonial%2fTestimonialList.aspx%3fpagecounter%3d2%26hash%3d84&TID=84&nolist=true)
See you at the races..
By John Tackett
March 21, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this
bad link above, sorry about that…Try this link..
By mel
March 21, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this
I agree about the Road ID product. I just received mine a few days ago. It is great product that can give emergency personel a quick and easy way to contact your family and let them know of anything like allergies and blood type. I will wear it at my next race this weekend.
By gwinnett educator
March 22, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this
I am not a runner…YET, however, I just wanted to say once again how much you all inspire me! I am just getting back into a consistent workout routine and have a lot of weight to lose. Yesterday, I started back by walking 5 miles at Stn Mtn park…and YES…I even jogged a little!
Have a great weekend!
By Jim
March 22, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this
Try Atlanta Motor Speedway. Is just south of downtown, in griffin ga. It is roughly a 1.5 mile loop. Slower runners stay on the left. Runners with speed drift to the right and with a lot of speed, can run on the roughly 25 degree banking. Cruise thru pit lane if want to stop and rest.
By John Tackett
March 22, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this
gwinnett educator,
Way to go!! It all starts with that first step. We all started out as walkers before we became runners. Take it at a comfortable pace and before you know it, we will be seeing you at the peachtree.
John
By Adrianne
March 22, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this
Yes gwinnett educator, keep going!! Do it at you own pace and you’ll be amazed how far you get.
By gwinnett educator
March 22, 2008 6:02 PM | Link to this
Thank you all for the well wishes! (this is truly a supportive blog). John, I will be participating in the Peachtree this yr. I mailed off my application last Sunday night. I completed the race in 03. It was a slow finished but I finished. I plan to do what I can do this yr. I dont care how long it takes me to get across that line…as long as I make it across.
Next yr, I will focus on time. This year, I just want to get it done.
Have a great weekend!
By Nadine
March 22, 2008 11:21 PM | Link to this
I used to attend Emory, and there is a wonderful running trail around Lullwater Park. Parking at the Clairmont garage is free on the weekend and is proximal to the entrance to the trail which takes you on a loop around a pond and the University President’s mansion. It’s beautiful, well-shaded, and complete with stretches of flatness as well as some hills—I don’t know the exact distance (the Nike Plus ipod set and mapmyrun.com were not around back in the early 2000’s!) but it’s still very good training if you go around the loop for however long you need to!
By John Tackett
March 24, 2008 8:20 AM | Link to this
gwinnett educator
Sounds like a good plan you have there. That is how I did it.. concentrate on finsshing first, then work my way to to being faster and going for time. Good running at the Peachtree and in general.