Training Log Archive: Nadim

QOC Summer Short Series: Squirrel Run map near Ft. Meade. Ted Good used the map he made of the area around his house. All controls were on trails but it was advantageous to navigate without them at times. We took a written test on-the-clock, set off on tasks to work on improving weaknesses, ran a score-o route, then worked on weaknesses again. For improving my weaknesses, I had to identify point features. In addition to all this we had to pickup various treasures along the way, putting them in a small baggie. Most were at controls but some such as sand, yellow flowers and red mushrooms, we had to be on the lookout for on the routes. To make it even more fun, at each control were pins which represented prizes. A person getting to a pin could claim the prize by bringing the pin back but one could take only one pin back per person so some trading was involved. It was enough to keep us thinking most of the way. We had great weather. Afterward, gracious hosts Ted and Darcy gave us ingredients to make our own pizza's, played games and do what orienteers do best; we hung-out. I missed the previous several days due to working late and then having to stay-up late preparing registrations and computerized race processing for a race my running club put on.

Round and round the UMD Track I went. I had gotten there rather late after work. Worm/virus activity on the network at work prevented me from getting out yesterday too. My calf felt good but my legs were stiff from the cycling and from not running much lately.

From Waverly Dr. in Frederick, MD; I did the Catoctin Climber route from Chuck and Gail's Favorite Rides guide book. This has been my favorite ride around DC for many years. It reminds me of scenes from the Shire. The ride was given a V rating in the guide book's I-V scale for difficulty. Parts of it were used for the Tour de Trump though I stayed off Harp Hill having not yet been ready for it. Climbing or decending constantly for the first 34 miles, the route goes clockwise around Catoctin Mountain. It climbs about 4,000ft with 5 main climbs. I'm not in as good a shape as I have been previously when doing this route. I felt it early, being tired around the knees. With a headwind on the back side of the mountain where most of the climbs are I moved slow. I couldn't descend as fast as I wanted through Catoctin Park (2.5 miles and down 950ft) as the road was intermittantly wet and dry but constantly scary. The last 15 through the valley from Thurmont to Frederick were good with mostly a downhill tailwind. Time includes all stops for traffic.