Day 1,491: A geocaching long run

The location of the "Ever Faithful..." Virtual Geocache on the Georgia Tech campus.

About a month ago, I started geocaching because 1). It was free on my Palm Pre phone and 2). It seemed like a good way to motivate myself for running.

All month, I've gotten in a lot more mileage than I would have previously because of it. It's been helpful to get those staple 4-mile runs in and I've done a few 6- and 8-mile runs with it, too.

Running is a perfect fit for geocaching because you don't need to find a place to park your car and you don't look so conspicuous as you would if you were creeping up somewhere with your car.

Today's 14-mile run took me through several Atlanta neighborhoods, including Georgia Tech, where there were several great geocaches.

The run started out with light rain but by the first hour, I was able to put away my windbreaker and hat. It was cool out but definitely was a nice way to get out and learn a bit about the 'hood.

Time: 9:01 a.m.
Temp: 49 degrees, light rain
Gear: Tech T, short (Doug Kessler 10K '10), shorts, Nike Air Pegasus+ 26/D.

Day 1,477: Where are you Garmin?

Garmin Connect has been down for most of the day so I don't have today's run uploaded.

But suffice to say the last three days have been a joy to run in, especially as warmer weather has come and the dreaded ice has been melting away. It's pretty novel to just wear a technical T-shirt and shorts again instead of doubling up on technical T-shirts and wearing running pants.

My mileage was pretty low last week, really I was only running the minimums for the streak but I'm glad to be back on track. I'm also glad I wasn't planning on running in anything like a February marathon. Things would be tough now losing an entire week.

Time: 10:30 a.m.
Temp: 40 degrees
Gear: Technical T-shirt, long (Chicago half marathon training), Technical T-shirt short (Green Dash 5K), shorts, Nike Air Pegasus+ 26/D.

Day 1,472: So icy

Yet another short mileage day, mainly because it's pretty treacherous out there on foot. Can't wait to break off a long run.

Pretty icy conditions out on North Highland Avenue, made a quick run and back.

I ended up joining the Atlanta Track Club to have an "early registration opportunity" for the Peachtree Road Race. I joined it when I first moved to Atlanta for a year. It's good to be back.

Time: 10 a.m.
Temp: 27 degrees
Gear: Tech T, long (Atlanta Half Marathon '10, Atlanta Half Marathon '09), shorts, running pants, Nike Climafit windbreaker (red), Nike Air Pegasus+ 26/D.

Day 1,471: Do you feel lucky? Well, do you punk? (Peachtree 10K goes to lottery system)

Just as online race entry is becoming the norm, it seems that entry via lottery is becoming a trend for large road races.

Today the Atlanta Track Club announced it will be going to a lottery system for its July 4 Peachtree 10K.

The lottery will begin 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 15, 2011 through 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, March 24, 2011. As in other lotteries, it doesn't matter when during the 10-day window you register. The 60,000 participants will be selected after registration closes.

Reading the fine print, it seems there are some ways of not having to be subject to a lottery. The first is if you are a "streaker," or one who has run 10 or more Peachtree Road Races. I've only run in 6 of them (2003-2004, 2007-2010).

The other way is to join the Atlanta Track Club, which provides an "early registration opportunity" for its members (individual memberships cost $35, while dual memberships cost $50).

This seems like it would be the way to go -- you could join the club with a buddy or spouse for $25 instead of $35 for an individual membership and not worry about having to be lucky or not.

Today's run was a snowplow along North Highland in the middle of the street. A snow/ice mix covered everything except for well-worn tire tracks.

Time: 10:47 a.m.
Temp: 30 degrees
Gear: Tech T, long (Atlanta Half Marathon '08), running pants, Nike Climafit windbreaker (red), Nike Air Pegasus+ 26/D.

Day 1,470: Snow in Atlanta!

I used to think it would snow maybe once every two years. Now it's snowed twice in two and a half weeks!

The snow was everywhere. We trekked down North Highland avenue and did an errand before coming back. I thought the hill would be slippery but it turned out to be ok.

Time: 10:49 a.m.
Temp: 27 degrees
Gear: Tech T, long (Atlanta Half Marathon '08, Portland Marathon '00), shorts, running pants, Nike Climafit windbreaker (red), gloves, Nike Air Pegasus+ 26/D.