Training Log Archive: Nadim

Event: QOC Meadowood
 

Meadowood Special Recreation Area, Lorton, VA. I did a short warm-up to a portable toilet and jogged around waiting before coming back.

QOC: Meadowood. We hadn't been to this side of the Bureau of Land Management's Meadowood Special Recreation area in a while. It is the greener part of the park. Recently added mountain biking trails helped in in getting through it and I thought, made it more enjoyable. Sid Sachs had done the course setting. Unlike myself the previous week, he had used few point features. Some of the controls on Blue seemed a bit off like #1 (116), #7 (101 appear to be on the wrong rootstock), #16, (114), #17 (112), and #18 (120). Generally, these didn't cause a lot trouble for me. I made my own problems early on #2, #3, #4, leaving #5. When I caught David Onkst at #8, we chatted about last week briefly; I got ahead only to make an error going to #9. Trying to catch him on the way to #10, I got off to the left a bit by not watching my bearing, Leaving #10 together, I got ahead at #11--this controls was probably placed correctly but it wasn't what I was expecting. I made a bigger error going to #12 and somehow passing a big trail not once but on the way back too--it was harder to see in the sandy stream valley. I hit the last loop okay, only getting thrown off a bit by #15 where what's now a ditch was mapped as a big trail. My route to #16 was probably not as good as Tom Strat's idea to use the road, and I was feeling pretty slow by then. My route to #18 was somewhat inefficient too. Still, I enjoyed the orienteering. It was a nice day and I was happy that I could run okay after the long run yesterday.

From the Bethesda Metro Station, to Northfield Rd.

Blue - Splits

From Blockhouse Conservation Park at River Rd. (main parking in the pipeline ride), The Muddy Branch Trail to Rte. 28, west of Dufief Dr./Alderwood Dr., and back. On the way out, near the north end, I missed a turn and ran an unnamed older trail closer to the creek, along the flatlands. At the turnaround I was 72:08; there was a net elevation gain getting there. I rain fairly even splits since it was slightly longer on the higer route going back. It was a pretty nice day. The temperatures were in the mid 60s F. The trail was basically dry. The summer growth had changed the appearance somewhat from my last run of the bulk of this route. Some leaves had already been on the ground but these were due to drought and storms, not the normal change of seasons. I got very sad at one point remembering my dad who ended his struggles the same day that I ran this trail last spring. I'll probably always remember him when running this trail. Though he had a few things he'd of liked me to do differently in life, I think he'd have been happy for me to enjoy the beauty of the area. I also thought of my both of my sisters and mom who are struggling in their own ways. Trails are hypnotic sometimes so these thoughts carried me for miles.

I had targeted running for at least 1:45:00. My GPS watch wasn't charged properly so I ran without it. To measure distance, I wanted to turn around at a very recognizable place and after an hour, I figured I'd just better go to the northern end. I calculated that I'd be doing well to get back in under 2:30:00. I kept as steady a pace as I could, stopping only to get across roads and made it just under my target, even with some of the bigger hills near the end. My right foot hurt at times along the right side, near the small toe. I recall that this had occurred previously on this trail but I wasn't sure if it was due to my shoes or the sometimes side hill running which never seemed extreme. I hadn't carried any water or Gu so I was pretty wiped out at the end. I hadn't run this distance since last July and have not been doing enough running training to justify jumping up this much. I'd been too busy at work and with course setting lately. However, I needed to get in at least one long run before the Hudson Highlander.

From Northfield Rd., Bethesda, MD, to Arlington Rd. with Max, then to 12th and C St. SW, Washington, D.C. I need to do more shift adjustment. I could only use my middle range on the front end. That was fine for most of the time. My legs were tired and there were headwinds while approching and leaving Georgetown. The time is estimated.

From 12th & C St. SW, Washington, D.C. to Arlington Rd., where I picked-up Max's bike, then to Northfield Rd., Bethesda, MD. I steered Max's bike while riding my own on the last part. I felt rather tired riding, despite the tailwind. I kept passing people but a young woman passed my as I lumberd up the River Rd. bridge; I was carrying a double load with work clothes from Monday and Tuesday in both a backpack and a cycling satchel.

C • Max's bike 2

From 12th and Independence Ave., SW, Washington, D.C. accross the National Mall, past the Washington Monument, to the Rock Creek Trail, to the C&O Towpath, to the Capital Crescent Trail (CCT) at Fletcher's Boathouse, to Woodmont Ave. to the Bethesda Metro Station. I hadn't done a run as long as this since July. I felt pretty good mostly. I took it easy starting out. As the trail started climbing, it felt like I had a lot of traction and was cruising up. Of course, I slowed gradually too. It was dark for half the run and I kept missng the markers for split recording.

From Northfield Rd. to Arlington Rd. with Max, then to the Bethesda Metro Station.

From the Bethesda Metro Station to Arlington Rd. where I picked-up Max's bike, then to Northfield Rd. This was a nice casual warmdown, albeit a sweaty 61 F warmdown on bike, after my run from work. I steered Max's bike with one hand while riding my own.