Training Log Archive: Nadim

Event: QOC Patapsco Avalon
 

Serpentine Barrens Conservation Park, MD. It was a nice day to be out. As I got started it was over 50 F. I checked the magnetic north alignment of the map again and this time it was pretty close. I made notes for another adjustment. I spent a while checking out areas I'd been to previously and then I dived into the thorny areas. It is complex stuff. Though my GPS will help with the complex edges of vegetation, it was hard to make notes about the boulders and rootstocks. I found plenty of both again. I'm going to have to spend a while double-checking and updating these places. Generally, the thorny areas of Greenbriar Branch can be passed through by using corridors. Getting those corridors correct will be doable, but there are some areas where the thorns thin out allowing one to pass some places too. I did get to the NW side of Greenbriar Branch where the terrain is much, much nicer too. With the contours so bland and general, it's really hard to pinpoint one's location unless you use previously mapped features. I could use the distant power lines at times but soon as I get deeper to the SE, the power lines will be out fully out of sight.

My right hamstring felt okay walking around. It's when I extended it forward running that it was hurting. I think it was a good precaution to just not try to run today.

From Northfield Rd to the Bethesda Metro Station. My hamstring was hurting a little and I took this ride easier than I would have.

From Bethesda Metro Station the Northfield Rd. My hamstring was hurting as I started but it felt better the further I went.

From Northfield Rd., to the Bethesda Metro Station.

Washington, D.C. From 12th & 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. There was a cool headwind which felt good for a while. However, I didn't feel like I was running all that well and had to put more mental energy into it than expected. As has happened many times previously, once I got into the protected Rock Creek stream valley I started feeling better, even though that's where the gentle grade starts. 33:07 minutes and 3.6 miles into the run, on a fairly flat stretch of trail, I felt a sudden pain in my right hamstring. I slowed immediately and walked briefly before jogging more slowly. As long as I didn't extend my right leg, the one that's already weaker from my back issues, I could keep moving. I felt less pain going up the steep hill into Woodley Park and was glad to stop there. I'd been occasionally feeling tightness in both of my hamstrings, but more on the right side, on various occasions this fall. Though I've been stretching after runs, It doesn't seem to have been enough. It's an unfortunate setback just as the winter long run season is finally here. :( The area of pain is just above the knee on the back inside part of my right leg. From my past injury experiences I stopped quickly and probably prevented further damage so hopefully I can recover quickly, like I did from my calf problem last March.

From Bethesda Metro Station the Northfield Rd. I moved slowly since cycling was aggravating the hamstring pull.

From Northfield Rd., to the Bethesda Metro Station.

From the Bethesda Metro Station, Edgemoor Ln., to Denton Rd. to Hampden Ln. to Exeter Rd. to the Elm St. path, to Edgemoor Ln., to Mooreland Ln. to Wilson Ln. to Hampden Ln. to Charlcotte Rd., to Northfield Rd. I left work late and it was raining. Instead of bicycling in the rain, I chose to run home, which is much more pleasant. The rain stopped as I was running but I was feeling tired and slow. Later in the evening I went out to get groceries and to pickup my bicycle and clothes that I'd left in my locker at the station.