Training Log Archive: Nadim

Just around the block & a little to have done something for the evening. I had wanted to play racquetball but it didn't work.

Working late again so I ate instead of ran. It's snowing and slick outside again too w/snow on top of ice. This weekends QOC meet is cancelled again which doesn't fare well for me--I need the practice.

30 push-ups, 45 situps, dumbells.

Speed shoveling the driveway and stairs of 1" of the new white stuff. Wanted to run but it's slick out and working late makes me hungry.

Fortunate to have found a shop that could order a replacement band for Kreitler rollers, I got it replaced and can now avoid the ice outside. It had been so long, I had a hard time balancing a start.

From the UMD Track, roads around College Park including Wells Pkwy, Claggett Dr., and College Ave and across the campus. I made zig-zags through the streets going down some I haven't before in order to find clear ground safe from a lot of traffic. Snow piles everywhere are all ice and the melt freezes. Sidewalks are still mostly covered. I kept a modest pace slightly below 3.

From Quill Point Dr. Quilt Patch La. to Fletchertown Rd. to Quetzal Rd. to Quill Point Dr. Working late, running late... tired from yesterday and the last week.

30 Push-up's, 45 situp's, dumbells.

From Meadobrook Stables in Rock Creek Park, MD to the intersection of Blagden Dr./Broad Branch Dr./Beach Dr. and back. We had expected fog from the rain on the snow to give way to high winds and eventually sunshine. Instead there was a cold rain most of the way. I ran with Nick Panebianco and Tim Connelly of PGRC while others in the club including Peggy followed. At the turn-around (39:14) Nick and I paused and Tim went on but we caught him with a push at the end (40:25) through the rain and melt-water flood flotsam. I saw Pat Zerfas running the other way twice too. Finally getting a battery for our scale I've found myself several pounds heavier than this time last year which explains a lot--173.5. I was 165-168 most of last year and as low as 161 the year before.

In Greenbelt Park, MD w/PGRC. From Sweetgum parking, to the campground roads, 2 loop D's then back to the Park Loop Rd. turning left, then turning R at the Park Loop Rd. intersection w/itself back to Sweetgum parking. It was raining heartily and a chill 37F. I ran w/Bob Grumbine and Elliot Hamilton up to the campgrounds then split w/them as I did and extra loop. I caught Elliot with about 1/4 mi. to go and he decided to kick it in just when I wanted to go easier. The snow is getting washed down--only about 8" to go.

Lawrence Ong and I played at UMD. It had been a long time since we last played. Lawrence was easily winded but he made a strong comeback in the first game to take the lead, then lose. The second game he was tired, fell behind and never caught-up but we had good rallies throughout.

From Quill Point Dr., Bowie. Same loop as the previous nights; Quill Point Dr., Quilt Patch Dr., Fletchertown Rd., Quill Point Dr. This time I felt tired and ran that way. I had wanted to XC ski but the rain dampened that thought.

30 push-ups, 45 sit-ups, dumbells.

From Quill Point Dr., three loops of Quilt Patch, Fletchertown, Quetzal, Quill Point Dr., then two loops of Quorum Pl./Quest. La. The first three loops were the same loop as last night but colder and drier. I 'thought' I was going slow, feeling tired on the first (16:35), slowed down on the second (16:38), and fastest on the third (16:40) but that shows how much feeling matters in measuring speed.

Roads around Northridge, Bowie; Same loop as I did Monday (Quill Point Dr., Quilt Patch La. Fletchertown, Quetzal Dr) but without the sliding. I was a bit tired but loosend-up for negative splits: 17:04, 16:33. I probably will do this loop many times the next few days until the snow melts elsewhere.

30 Push-up's, 45 situp's, dumbells.

From Quill Point Dr.; Trail to Tanglewood Park, I did 3 loops of the perimeter (2,1,5 trails). The sliding was pretty good and I could stay on top because of the frozen slush layer which had been sun softened--except for where the darned snowshoeers had been... Fortunately she had only done the interior (3,1 trails). I stopped to do some trail maintenance as I went cutting twigs and stickers. By the third loop, I was getting tired and sloppy. It was getting dark and icy so I fell twice. It was hard getting up with my feet on my skis about 2 ft. above my hands which punched through.

Peggy and I removed the additional 4-5" that fell last night. The end of the storm was slush so the top layer was heavier. A total of about 2' fell and piles we made approach 6' deep.

Roads around Northridge, Bowie; about 7:30pm. Northridge's streets were plowed well enough to see pavement in many places. Fletchertown Rd, the county road going through it was still covered. I slip-slided around enjoying the winter wonderland and seeing that rare bit of suburban life - neighborly communication and camaraderie as everyone was digging.

From Quill Point Dr., Bowie, MD; Down Quill Point Dr., trail to the lake, up to the golf course through the woods and back via Prospect Hill Dr. Snow was piled about 12" to 15". On the roads and where it was plowed Peggy and I could get a glide but we were slogging it elsewhere.

The driveway was about 15" deep and near the house there was no where to put the snow. I had to carry it a bit stacking some up to 5'. It was about 17F with winds.

Perimeter Trail in Greenbelt Park with Tim Connely of PGRC. Snowing w/half to one inch of new snow on top of the old ice and slush from last week. Tim was tired from a hill workout so I was glad he didn't push the pace as we slip-slided along. Getting some sleep and rest yesterday helped me feel better a little too. Peggy and I still needed a nap afterward.

Scraping the driveway and stairs of the ice and a little over an inch so that it won't be as bad tommorow. Feel it in the forearms from all the chipping.

Roads around Northridge, Bowie. Feeling tired and sore. Where's our snow?

30 Push-up's, 45 situp's.

From Quill Point Dr., Bowie, roads around Forestgate, Wingate and Severn Crossing neighborhoods. Just wandering the streets in the dark out and back where there's no ice. Started feeling pooped after 30 minutes and slowed.

Roads around Northridge, Bowie; after 10pm. Working late, running late. I mostly stayed off the trails around home due to ice; tired.

Push-up's (30), Situp's (45) and upper body dumbells. Weak.

From Creighton Dr. in College Park, 7:15pm--dark. NE Branch Trail south to the 2nd half mile marker past Riverdale Rd., then back via Edmonston Rd. The early portions (1 1/2 miles) of trail had of 1/4 to 1/2 inch of ice anywhere where trees were near so I went slowly on these. The stretch on the dyke was nice as was the road. Available half's on the trail: 336, 330, 330, 330, 334. I wanted to go more but I was already late and had get back for PGRC business. Strong finish.

Roads around Northridge, Bowie. Feeling stiff from the weekend--easy day.

Push-up's (30), Situp's (45) and upper body dumbells. Weak.

Warm-up for QOC's Riverbend Meet

QOC Score-O at Riverbend Park in Virginia. 29 controls. About 3-4 inches of snow remained on the ground but it wasn't much a factor. Sometimes a persons track would put me on track and sometimes they lead me astray. Before starting I had heard Jon Torrance got them all in 60 minutes so I thought I had a chance at getting them too under the 75 minute time limit. I started well and was picking my route efficiently on the low end of the southern side. Fear of being tired from recent workouts didn't materialize but I did lose time to decoy controls and figuring out the control system. I couldn't tell the point total of a control most of the way because I had thought they were based on the control code, not the number of the control on the que sheet. The number of the control as shown on the que sheet was what was on the map, not the control code--different from last year. After about 18 controls, I started heading (from #21) for the next (#23) then changed my mind thinking I had to pickup one 400m downhill (#3) that I had already been to. Most of the way there, I thought I had done it already but went on anyway to verify. On the climb back, I overshot the next (#23) and had to come back 200m back down again--arrgh! The next 3 were okay but going from #21 to #18 (a 170m leg) I got too high and confused. I was looking not to cross the ride but in the snow I couldn't see it--perhaps it was overgrown. The color copy map, though better than last week's, was light in this area. I got flustered and probably lost 7-8 minutes before deciding to skip (when picking-up controls later, I did the leg in about 2 minutes and found that the bag was faded). With only 20 about minutes to do 12 controls (just under 2.5K) on the north side of the park, I got 11. I was navigating better but while rushing, didn't see on the map one, #29, a 9 point control that I could have picked-up by adding only 1:30. On my second to last control, I left just as a bloody faced Dan Quinn arrived. He's tough and a fast runner--he appeared to look worse than he felt. I rushed out least he catch me, making it back with 3 seconds to spare before incurring a penaltly. Dan was 8 minutes over losing 40 points. I was glad that I ran strongly but a little disappointed w/not getting them all (missed 2) and the mistakes I made. The gatorade I had before racing helped some.

In Riverbend Park, VA. Control pick-up after the QOC Score-O. Someone knotted the bags making it hard to get off w/my gloves on. I stayed warm with a light sweat jacked but my feet got colder than I thought. They didn't thaw out until an hour after finishing and then my left toes hurt a little like the throbbing from frostbite I'd gotten 20 years back. They feel fine now.

With PGRC in Greenbelt Park. From Sweetgum parking, parts of the Azaelea Trail, the Perimeter Trail and the Dogwood Trail. I got try out my Christmas present that Peggy gave me. This was my first snowshoeing and we did it together. It takes a lot more high stepping but altogether the stride was not very different; just heavier. XC ski tracks on the trail were iced over, from melting and refreezing.

From Quill Point Drive, trails in Tanglewood Park. I did the 2,1,5 loop along the perimeter then the 3,1 loop twice. This was at night with a light. The trail to the park was icy and clumpy from footsteps. I was the first in Tanglewood so I had to break trails there; some of that was icy from melting. The 2 trail was cluttered with fallen limbs and living-up to its name, tangling stickers. The 3,1 combination was much nicer. I didn't feel like I was getting a good glide in until I came around the second time.

Work was delayed so I shoveled the 8-9 inches we got overnight off the driveway. It worked-up a sweat. Like a weight workout it put me to sleep on the metro train by the second stop.

Bowie, MD. From Quill Point Dr. to Fletchertown Rd. to the WB&A Trail to the end at Race Track Rd. and back. Got off work a little earlier but still did not get to start running until 9pm. A 1/4 inch of slippery snow was already on the ground and it built to just over a inch by the time I was done. It got in my eyes much of the time too. My quads really felt it from the sliding even though I tried not to work too hard. Half mile splits on the trail: 3:43, 3:56, 3:40, 1:05 to the turnaround (29:38), 1:05, 3:45, 3:48, 3:56. Enjoyable.

Roads around Northridge, Bowie. It was an er day. I worked faster and harder and longer, got home later, then ran slower while it was colder...

From UMD Track, to the Paint Branch Trail, to Cherry Hill Rd. and back. I felt slow at first but the dark and windy night perked me up. I felt stronger than I have in a while the rest of the run until the last mile climb into the wind--steady 20+ mph. The park service installed some interpretive placards that appear to have pictures of the moonscape aftermath of the F4? tornado that went through here 1 1/2 years ago--too dark to see the pictures. The available measured half-miles on the trail were: 3:31, 3:26, 3:32, 3:28 out to turn around for 1:48 and then 1:46, 3:26, 3:27, 3:21, 3:25. Slower than last May but much better than January.

Roads around Northridge, Bowie, MD. Working late to catch-up from last week so this was all the time I had left.

Warm-up for QOC: Little Bennet meet.

QOC: Little Bennett meet. I started poorly drifting on early controls and not staying in good contact with the map. The map, a color copy, was fuzzy and there were more downed trees than indicated. Confidence was not good after the early booms leading to bad route choices. I got marginally better as I went but even flubbed the last control by getting there and miss-reading my control code sheet to lose a minute.

Blue - Splits

In Quiet Waters Park, Annapolis, MD. Running with Peggy in the rain on the paved trails.