Atlanta Run

I'm at a training in Atlanta, as I think I mentioned in my Sunday 10 Post. I went out today and ran with a guy in the training who's a triathlete and ultramarathoner. It was a great 53 minute run along a main urban/suburban drag in extreme northern Atlanta, into Dekalb county. It wasn't particularly beautiful though we ran by some nice neighborhoods. It was a type of American sub/urban run that I think is probably pretty common in this country -- but not so common in the NE. Lots of stores and intersections, commuter traffic etc.. However, it was a nice rolling course, the weatherr was cool but nice -- total shorts and technical shirt, and there are some beautiful trees and flowers in bloom.

The guy I ran with is a really nice guy, a designer from SF and he was kind to me and ran with me for the first two thirds and then kicked it towards the end. I hung with him as long as I could and finished maybe 10 seconds after him. I really enjoyed running with somebody, it made the time slide by easily and it was fun to chew the fat. A good run, a nice confidence builder and I'm looking forward to going out tomorrow too. Given that I've done the 10 Sunday and this was probably 6+ I'm feeling better about this training.

I know that I've harped on how much of a routine person I am and if my routine gets messed up then I'm done but I want to amend that statement. Routine is important, but sometimes being out my comfort zone, and getting out of my routine -- like coming to Atlanta for five days this week and three next -- is great for my running. It's a way to take control of my surroundings, explore, and bring some routine to a very different experience.