Rookies, on the run

Rookie runs are a key part of success for many women in the 4-miler training program. We have four opportunities during the week -- pick the option that better suits your schedule. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, we meet at the UVa track at 6:30 a.m. For now, we are on the track the whole time, but as training progresses, we will hit the road. After running, we stretch, and as of last week, most folks were out of there by 7:15 a.m. Don't forget your water and towel! One advantage to the early-morning runs is that it's cooler, an increasingly important factor as the summer wears on.

The other option is running at the Greenbelt, a park near Chesapeake Street, off Meade Avenue in the city of Charlottesville. Runners meet at 6 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays. This is a fun, social group, and some of the Pink Ladies you see there continue running at the 'Belt the rest of the year. Walkers and advanced runners are welcome at the rookie runs. We don't, however, encourage people to attend all four runs in a week. Everyone needs time to rest.

Rookie runs (which get shorter than the Saturday runs in coming weeks) are vital if you're going to keep up with the progress on Saturdays. We'll be running further and further each weekend, and we want you to be ready for it. If none of the rookie runs suits your schedule, though, talk to your new friends at the Saturday sessions. There is bound to be someone who lives near you and can get together at your convenience. Another option is to come to the UVa track. We don't encourage people to run or walk solo on the road, but there are lots of people at the track, and it's a safe place. Good luck, and have fun!