Training Log Archive: Nadim

Rock Creek Regional Park, MD; near Lake Needwood and Lake Frank. I did a lot of map updating by walking around trees felled by the derecho storm that hit in June. I made notes and walked around the treefall while recording a GPS track. The areas walked were mostly steep. The treefall was often distinct enough to create a wall of unpassable green, yet there were ways through and around much of it. I felt it not easy to map with a light green and instead will have a lot of separte darker green blobs.

Summer Short Series: Squirrel Kill at Odenton, MD. After a preliminary of rolling a die, throwing some darts, making, then having a boat race, the initial physical activity was a one-leg memory-o warm-up. After studying the leg, we were to draw the leg from memory and use the map created to get to the next location. I picked an efficient route but taking off with Eddie Bergeron, Tom Strat,Peggy, and Greg Lennon, I dropped my real safety map a minute into the run.. I had been holding it and the one I drew, and the printed map slipped out. Peggy noticed it and told me so I went back. I figured it'd be needed later but it turned out that it was only to be used as a backup

SSS: Squirrel Kill, Odenton, MD. The second event was a sprint on trails and in fields around some buildings. As part of the training, we were to try to keep from looking at the map a lot. It also had one leg just for map memory. When the controls had full flags, I could find them much easier. For the controls with ribbons as markers in the field, I often did not see them even as I ran past. I had been using my magnifying glasses but these don't help for things that aren't right under me. Jon Torrance caught me after a few mistakes.

SSS: Squirrel Kill, Odenton, MD. I jogged with Eddie Bergeron to the next start location.

SSS: Squirrel Kill, Odenton, MD. This part of the training was to build on earlier memory exercises. Starting with only a segment of map to see, we were to memorize 2 control legs before we'd see another leg. The controls were streamers so one had to be precise to locate them. I messed-up on the second control and David Onkst was soon on me. I held him off a few controls before making a larger mistake by fogetting to hook left. I drew Dave off with me as he chased from behind. By the time we'd recovered, Tom Strat was just ahead. Dave and I passed him on the next leg and all 3 of us bobbled it. David ran right past the control streamer on a fence. Not seeing it from a distance, I went the long way around the fence, and Tom reached it through the fence. Next, David got ahead when I didn't remember a trail fork. I keyed off of some tennis courts and ended taking a longer way to get to the control. I took long to memorize the next 2 legs,then tried to close the gap between myself and Dave. Tom was close behind. I caught David when he didn't remember the location of the second control very well. However, I forgot what number control we were on, and that for the last one we were supposed to remember the leg for it with the legs for the previous 2 controls. Thinking there was still another control before the end, I ran back to the start of the last 2 leg segment, then found out that the next leg was the finish with just a 130m run-in. Dave and Tom got there ahead of me.

SSS: Squirrel Kill, Odenton, MD. For the final sprint, we were to do a normal wood sprint (mostly on trails or in the open) and try to use the techniques of memory-o, without being constrained by not having a map. I did fairly well, making a good choice out of the start by going right. Navigationally, this was fairly easy but I did put the map out of view while I ran along fences or trails. I started with Gary Smith and caught Kathleen Lennon, Peggy, then Greg Lennon.

From Huntington Pkwy. to the Bethesda Metro Station. After getting Max on a bus to day camp, I rushed off to work. I kept getting stuck at intersections.

From the Bethesda Metro Station, Wisconsin Ave./Rockville Pike, to Cedar Ln. to the Elmhirst Trail, to Cedar Ln. to the Rock Creek Trail, to the parking lot off Garrett Park Rd. In downtown Bethesda, I felt I was running well but did some weaving on the sidewalks to get through foot traffic. Going down to the Rock Creek valley, my pace picked up and after that I was able to maintain it without having to push a lot. I was rushing a bit because I was behind schedule in meeting Peggy and Max to go to dinner.

From Huntington Pkwy. to the Bethesda Metro Station. After getting Max on a bus to day camp, I rushed off to work.

From the Bethesda Metro Station to Northfield Rd. I got off work rather late and had to forego a run on the way home. It was dark riding back.

From Northfield Rd., Custer Rd. to Wilson Ln. to Glenbrook Rd., to Cornish Rd., to Burling Rd., to Bradley Blvd., to Brite Dr. to Radnor Rd., to Old Chester Rd., to Aberdeen Rd., to Aberdeen Pl. to Northfield Rd.

From Huntington Pkwy. to the Bethesda Metro Station. After getting Max on a bus to day camp, I rushed off to work. The bus was early but I got to work a few minutes later than yesterday when the bus was on time.

From the Bethesda Metro Station to Northfield Rd. Since the Internet was still out at work, I came home early to telework from there. I thought I was going slower than the day before but that wasn't quite the case. I was exerting less effort, going into the wind somewhat and carrying a full backpack and a laptop computer.

From Northfield Rd., Custer Rd. to Huntington Pkwy., to Old Georgetown Rd., to Beech Rd. to Bradmore Dr. to Folkstone Rd. to Hartsdale Ave. to Heampstead Ave. to McKinley St. to Garfield St., to Roosevelt St., to the trail at Jefferson St. to Northfield Rd. It was in the low 70s F and humid with damp roads from evaporating rain earlier this evening. I couldn't tell what pace I was running. I pushed in a few places.

From Huntington Pkwy. to the Bethesda Metro Station. After getting Max on a bus to day camp, I rushed off to work.

Washington, D.C. From 14th & Independence Ave., SW, down The Mall along Independence Ave. and the Reflecting Pool to the Lincoln Memorial, to Ohio Dr. to the Rock Creek Trail, to Calvert St., to the Woodley Park/Zoo Metro Station.. Leaving work, it had just started to rain. I had checked the radar so I knew it should pass soon however it came down in full sunshine for most of 2 miles. Cycling commuters had pulled aside under bridges. I was concerned about holding my iPhone and getting it wet since I'd forgetten to take a running pouch. It was cooler in the rain but I was surprised at the second mile split--the GPS track shows significant error there which explains it but the overall distance was close. One runner had caught and passed me before then near the Reflecting Pool so I guess that had gotten me going. I felt pretty good if not always smooth while running. My legs are recovering from cycling but felt more muscle heavy. I climbed the hill at the end okay, even passing a younger guy which is always an ego boost, but that hill didn't feel so good.

From the Bethesda Metro Station to Northfield Rd. I got out of work at a reasonable hour, partly since the Internet had been out at my building for most of the day.

From Huntington Pkwy. to the Bethesda Metro Station. After getting Max on a bus to day camp, I rushed off to work.

From the Bethesda Metro Station to Northfield Rd. After a very busy day at work, I rode home in the dark.

I slept-in foregoing some feild checking needed at Lake Needwood, and then spent time with my mother and sisters for the Eid holiday. We visited my dad's grave.