Training Log Archive: jtorranc

Run to work on Rock Creek Park trails. May actually have to try and figure out how much longer staying on the east side of the creek on the approach to the District/MD border compared to the way I've usually gone in the past. I'm pretty sure it takes at least a few minutes longer despite avoiding a bit of climb.

Back home through Rock Creek Park wearing one of my new pairs of trail running shoes that arrived today. Saw a castorus canadensis not quite 2km in - previously along the same stretch of creek I've heard the tail slapping alarm sound but never seen the creature itself. Actually, not sure I've ever seen a beaver in the wild before. Also got a good look at a buck with a not yet impressive set of antlers. Took it easy. Didn't add too many extra loops for distance since even with several hours on Saturday being just walking and a fair bit of the rest being non-impact stuff this is a lot of volume for me.

C • You're so lucky! 5

I believe it was just sub-zero as I cycled in and there were strong crosswinds. Fortunately, I could hear them howling around the building during breakfast so I girded myself with thermal underwear below and my neoprene mask above and was fairly comfortable - didn't even fill my heaviest set of bike-appropriate hand insulation with sweat. Home by way of the aquatic center.

Backyard Burn trail race at Hemlock Overlook?

To Greenbelt mostly by Metro then home all by bicycle, food shopping in Takoma Park en route, plus a round trip to the National Gallery for two Germaine DuLac films.

Hanging and picking up the training course at Greenbelt. Attendance of 18 was quite gratifying.

Branch Avenue Metro to Rosaryville State Park and back.

Walking more trails with the GPS at Rosaryville. I've now covered what must be more than 95% of the trail network. Though I'm now pretty sure I'm getting consistently slightly better claimed accuracy from the GPS now that the leaves are off so I'm debating whether it's work walking much of the trail network again. The near complete coverage is, of course, dependent on the mountain bikers not feeling too energetic. I ran across what I eventually decided was a trail construction project of theirs - a series of switchbacks down the side of a large hill marked with small pink and orange flags. The first pink one had "LEDGE UP FILTER WITH LOCUST BOX" written on it. Fortunately for my poor non-MTB-lingo-marinated brain, not all of the subsequent notes were quite so cryptic.

Got into the woods just east of the Mount Airy Mansion entrance for the first time. They're very nice if somewhat short on point features. A good thing since so much of the park is thick and would be useless if it weren't for the confusing profusion of trails.

C • Mapping Rosaryville 3

To work by way of the aquatic center. This became definitely a non-running day when I learned that "The Journals of Knud Rasmussen" would be having its DC premiere at the National Gallery at 6:30 tonight - no way I was going to make that on foot and unnecessary Metro must be resisted. So, work to the National Gallery and home thereafter.

Mostly kicking, as yesterday.

Also the same as yesterday. Will have to vary things a bit more in future but this'll do for just starting with the DWR for the winter.

Fenders are reinstalled (though I still need to find my down tube mudguard) and my new neoprene gloves and 5mm neoprene cycling booties just arrived. Wet wintry DC weather shall hold no terror for me.

Work by way of aquatic center. Home by way of PCRM.

Mostly flutter kicking after warming up with various strokes.

Without breaks or noticeable variations in intensity.

Maybe showers tonight and almost certainly showers tomorrow - my enthusiasm for a running commute is waning, although there's probably less than a kilometer of unavoidable trail that becomes a morass on the route. Plus I'll be doing massive hours on foot in terrain on Saturday and a fair bit again on Sunday. We shall see. Better get my rear fender reinstalled regardless.

Also decided it was a good time to buy three pairs of trail running shoe closeouts online, LilFlip's log having reminded me of one thing I ought to do to avoid injury this winter. It will also be nice to be able to switch to a dry pair when necessary.

Not a lot but enough to prove I can take core exercises once more. No dancing in the streets since I don't particularly enjoy them but still a good thing.

Run to work through Rock Creek Park.

Work to TPSS for groceries to home to unload to library to avoid overdue fines on all the CDs I had out to home again. Stopped for a few chinups between TPSS and home. Rib cage was still happy so I'll have to try resuming core strength work sometime soon.

C • Chinups 2