A Do and 3 Don'ts

First the do:

When I was in Georgia I got to run in the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. Some of the best trail running I've ever done. I'm fortunate that my folks live right next to it. If you're ever there make it a point to run on those trails.

Now the don'ts:

Don't run 16 miles in a new pair of shoes that only have a 5k in them. 5k is not enough to break in a pair of shoes.

Don't think you can introduce the weight of two bottles of water and the associated hip/lumbar holder into a training program without kinks. I'd recommend running the shorter distances with empty bottles, then filling them halfway for middle distances, and then topping them off for long distances. In other words ease into the extra weight. Your joints and muscles will thank you.

102 degrees is too hot. If you didn't make it out before the heat of the day wait until the sun heads down.