Training Log Archive: Nadim

Wheaton Regional Park, MD. Given recent running and cycling, I didn't really need to do this much and I had wanted to go the Northwest Branch. I'd consider calling these trash miles because I was making my last effort to get my running mileage total for the year up to a loose goal set in late October--one that I didn't work so hard at trying to make but made it anyway. Injury time and time spent focusing on work in November were the obstacles that I ran into and overcame. I say I'd consider qualifying this workout as trash miles if it weren't for my other purpose which was to get GPS tracks of the trails in the park so that I could update and straighten-out the old map. I got lots of tracks. The park is small enough that we usually just don't have a Blue course when QOC holds a meet here. Of the trails I covered, I went over some more than once and that should give me better data to work with. I was glad that the rain and sleet had stopped well before I got started but even the mossy paved trails were often slick. I didn't need the hills but there were enough of them in the park--they tired me quickly. I went slow on the dirt trails because they were more slippery and often sloppy. I had gotten started late so much of this was done in the dark. When I started to stumble on things, I finished-up on paved trails and parking lots with just enough to get the mileage I needed. It was 34 F.

From Northfield Rd., Bethesda, MD, to 12th and C St. SW, Washington, D.C. I once again dropped Max to daycare by car and then rode in. There were a few more cyclists and runners this morning. The winds felt calm until after passing Georgetown. I had a slight tailwind getting to the Jefferson Memorial. It was in the low 30s F. I felt a bit tired but surprisingly was faster than yesterday. The weight of the laptop could account for that.

From 12th & C St. SW, Washington, D.C. to Northfield Rd., Bethesda, MD. There were more cyclists and runners out and it was less windy. I was frisky enough early in the ride to pass a slow car and a tourist buss in the dark. Like yesterday, a nice full moon was rising but I got to see more of it since there were fewer clouds. It's odd how much the ride seems to be taking out of me. Perhaps it's the denser cold air, wind resistance, and weight of more clothes. I was just feeling rather weak. We had dinner with Bob and Ben later and I was tired there.

From Northfield Rd., Bethesda, MD, to 12th and C St. SW, Washington, D.C. I hadn't expected to be riding this morning but when I saw that the rain had stopped and it was going to be sunny, I changed plans again--earlier, I had targeted riding both Thursday and Friday to help make mileage target totals for the year. I dropped Max off by car, and circled back home so that I could ride. It was still damp out but that didn't worry me. I hadn't expected it to be so windy. Fortunately it was mostly a tailwind. I did get some swirly headwinds when rounding various land forms. I used my new under-the-helmet cap to keep warmer (it was 33 F starting out) but with my older helmet I discovered this to be too tight. My head was really hurting by the time I got to work and I rarely ever have even had headaches. The tailwind was much appreciated. I was already lugging my laptop bag under my backpack and using short gears (my front derailer cable is still broken but I don't want to take it in for a replacement until January). I moved slowly at first but after getting passed at the MacArthur Blvd. tunnel and making a bend, the wind was at my back. I caught-up with the other guy and rode behind him into Georgetown. By the time I'd gotten there, most of the pavement had been wind blown dry. I did however get my feet wet by splashing through some unavoidable puddles too quickly.

From 12th & C St. SW, Washington, D.C. to Rosedale Ave., Bethesda, MD.then to Jones Bridge Rd., and to Northfield Rd., via the Bethesda Trolley Trail. I knew there would be more wind. I was expecting headwinds and that was the prevailing actuality but it wasn't so strong as in the morning and I had some areas that were sheltered. I saw very few people. There were some serious runners and a biker or two going the other direction. Mostly there was solitude in the darkness--a rare ocurrance on the CCT. I saw another deer crossing the trail and worried that it would dart right in front of me as it already had a foot on the trail. I thought I might get too warm wearing all my clothes from the morning but it was just right with it being in the upper 30s F and having a headwind.

I decided to add on just a little bit to go past my old house but more to see my friend Bob Angel's house. He's knocking it down and will replace it with a larger custom designed, passive energy efficient, but pre-fabricated house. The de-construction was to happen today but was delayed. The whole project is supposed to take much less time.

Except for a doctor appointmetn, rain, sleet, and snow all day in Bethesda, MD kept me in. I should have gotten out but a rest day was probably not a bad thing either. What I fretted about was that I needed some training this day to help make it possible to equal my cycling total from 2011, and to get 750 miles for 2012. It's still technically possible but not so likely now.

Event: 7th Annual Christmas Day - Joyful 5k
 

Christmas Day - Joyful 5k - Como Lake, Saint Paul, MN. Peggy and I got up and out into the cold. It was 3 F when we started this "race", otherwise better described as a now annual family exercise outing. We both ran in full sweats along with other extra clothes to keep us warm. Max had thought he'd run the full distance earlier but was on the fence the night before. We didn't encourage him to do it since it's a long run for him and because of the cold--ultimately, he stayed inside playing a SimmCity type game with with his uncle. In previous years, he'd run or walked just one loop around the cold lake instead of the 2 needed to make a certified 5K. We did for the first time see another kid younger than Max, at the race this year.



The trail was dry and cleared of ice/snow that we've seen in every year except 2011. There was snow on the ground around the trail and the lake was frozen. I was glad that there wasn't much wind. I started at a steady pace, trying to gauge what speed I could hold. A person or two got ahead of me after half a mile but I passed them and another back before the 1 mile point, reaching it at 6:49. With a mile and then one loop down, I conserved energy and wondered if the guy behind me was going to pass. I focused on breathing in the cold air. My lips and other parts of me went partially numb. I hit the second mile with a 6:57 split, and when I turned a lake corner a little later, I began a steady push toward the finish. With the extra clothes and not really having run enough lately, my speed was pretty slow. However, I pushed it in about as fast as my legs would go. I was gaining on the guy in front of me but I never caught him. After a bathroom break, I saw Peggy walking away from the finish line. Her hair on one side was completely white from the frost of her breath. We got out of there quickly. Later my toes hurt. I thought it might have been a little frostbite since I'd had it before, but I think it was just that the double socks in my shoes dislodged my toenails, and with numb feet I couldn't feel this until after the run. Overall, despite it being somewhat slow, it was a good feeling to have done the race. We watched Life of Pi later with Peggy's sister; I enjoyed that a lot too.

Saint Paul, MN. From Forbes Ave. Peggy and I took a bike trail to St. Clair Ave. then over the highway and up to Saint Albans St S., then to Summit Ave., then back to Forbes Ave. where Peggy stopped. From there I went out and back by myself over High Bridge (Smith Ave.) to Cherokee Ave. and back. It was somewhat sunny. I was happy to be going at an easier pace starting out. Peggy and I had been visiting the rather nice Science Museum in Downtown Saint Paul for about 3 hours earlier (Max was with hanging out with his uncle). Going across High Bridge gave me some great views. I could see more than from the ritzy vantage point on Summit Ave. and I probably had climbed at least as high.

Minneapolis, MN. From the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, down to the flood plain on the Spur Trail (great view), then on the trail/vehicle track to a clearing. Peggy and I ran out and back together. It was in the low 20s F and my feet were getting cold.