Training Log Archive: Nadim

Event: US Team Trials for WOC '11
 

Errands, a wedding shower for my niece, and packing preparations for a camping trip kept workout opportunities to a minimum.

45 situps. Busy evening and preparation for the weekend requires some rest on my left calf.

From Northfield Rd. to the Bethesda Metro Station. By the time I got to work it was 76F and 79% relative humidity. I had ridden easily so as to try not to sweat.

From the Glenmont Metro Station, Georgia Ave. north to the Matthew Henson Trail, to the Rock Creek Trail, to Cedar Ln. to Rockville Pike, to the Bethesda Metro Station. Today was supposed to be about acclimating to the warmer and more humid weather. It was 92F earlier in the day. That felt okay but the running did me in. I ran okay for 3.5 miles and not watching it closely, I wasn't sure of my pace. After a water break at a fountain with lots of baskeball players and cyclists in line ahead of me, I slowed a bit more. At about 4.6 miles, going down a hill, I got a shot of pain in my left calf on the heel strike. I slowed and contemplated shortening the run by calling home or stopping off at the Onkst's place but I went on. It was gritty. I had to focus with my head down to keep my range of motion from aggrivating the calf more. I didn't feel that tired but slowed to 9 minute miles. Uphills bothered it more. I stopped and stretched at other water stops and that seemed to help me continue. My available mile splits based on trail markers were: 7:28, 7:36, 7:58, 9:27, 9:01, 9:00. I had thought about a shorter off-pavement run through Rock Creek but with it being hillier, I thought this would be better. I'll take a break from running for a little while and try again. I had a very similar experience earlier this spring and almost exactly a year ago.

From the Bethesda Metro Station to Northfield Rd.

From Northfield Rd., Bethesda, MD, to Arlington Ave. with Max on his trail-a-bike, then to 12th & C St. SW, Washington, D.C. It was finally a drier morning--even the air. A bit of a tailwind kept me moving well. This was a fast speed for being on my commuter bike. There were lots of people on the trail.

From 12th & C St. SW, Washington, D.C. to Arlington Rd. to pickup Max's trail-a-bike, then to Northfield Rd., Bethesda, MD. I was expecting headwinds but the winds were either with me or calm--it was hard to tell. I tried not to work too hard. It was in the 80s F. I was 40:30 at Arlington Rd.

I wanted to ride but it was wet and humid in the morning. The forecast called for more of it so I planned to run instead. During the day, I was lethargic and I noticed my left calf giving some warning signs, especially when going down stairs. I've been running more frequently this last week. With errands to do in the evening and the warning signs, I aborted training for the day.

From Northfield Rd., Custer Rd. to the Huntington Pkwy. to Old Georgetown Rd. to Southwick St. to Garfield Rd. to Madison St. and Bradley ES, then to Northfield Rd. via Heampstead Ave., Roosevelt St. and Jefferson St. I ran while Max bicycled. I helped him get up hills by pushing and for several stretches where traffic was busier, I had to steady his handlebars as I ran along. It was humid out.

Event: QOC Balls Bluff
 

From Northfield Rd. to Arlington Rd. for the May Fair, and then back. I rode with Max on the trail-a-bike, and Peggy rode her bike. We decided to skip the QOC meet today so that Max could enjoy his school's end of the year fair. The fair, a fund raiser, was much better than I thought it'd be. There were plenty of activities--several inflatable bouncy structures, games, prizes, art, hair painting, music, a climbing wall, and food.

Greenway Trail, Riffleford Rd. to the Black Rock Mill parking lot off of Black Rock Rd, then back. I had thought to run just Rte. 118 and back but I was remembering that to be much longer. The trail was in decent condition with only a few muddy areas. There were a good many roots on the trail that took concentration. Tall grasses on the sides sometimes made it narrow. It was in the mid 70's F but rather humid. I decided to add-on, wanting to get at least 8 miles. The stretch from Rte. 118 to Black Rock Rd. is fairly hilly. I felt worse going out to the turnaround than I did coming back. I started taking splits on the return. The trail was marked in half miles though most miles measured slightly less than my GPS showed. Available splits: 4:56, 4:41, 4:22, 4:18, 4:14, 4:13, 4:05. I was happy to have close to the same pace returning especially since the route climbs on the way back. The splits show that I was accelerating and I was feeling more capable the further I went.