Training Log Archive: Nadim

Great Falls Park, MD: From C&O Canal Lock 19 on the towpath to Lock 22, cross there, along the canal to Blockhouse Park, to River Rd. to the parking lot in Blockhouse Park, then down the horse trail back to the canal and Lock 22, then down river to Lock 17, then back to Lock 19. Ice. Today I made-up for the 70F days of my trip down south. Except for a short <1 mile plowed stretch around Swains Lock and the .4 mile, 45m vertical climb on River Rd. the whole route (a variation of one in my guide) was on 1-2" of irregular foot stomped ice. An often strong headwind going out and up river made it a bit worse but the ice took so much concentration and slowed me down so much that I noticed the wind less. It was around 40F and sunny starting out. The ice was more solid then. The river was a rare sight and cacophony of scrapes and roars as ice floes jambed tightly together the whole width of the fast moving riverbed. I saw a fox while going out who in trying to get away from me scampered across the partly frozen canal. Coming back, the ice jamb had mostly cleared but there were still many mini-icebergs. My feet got pretty wet in the snow in Blockhouse Park. It'd be nice to have an O' map of this park since most of it seems like the best of parts in Great Falls, MD. Available mile splits: 7:56, 7:55, 8:53 (for 1.07 miles), 8:37; then returning: 8:29, 8:42 (for 1.07 miles), 7:40, 8:02.

In San Antonio, TX. From San Jose Mission Church at E. Pyron and San Jose, to the San Antonio river trail, then north to the Southcross underpass (15:55) and back. There was a headwind (20mph) going north. It was much nicer and quicker going back which was good because I was feeling a bit tired an have some sore spots from this week. I did no more workouts today such as shoveling the walk when I got back to Bowie, MD because the rain I brought back took care of most of the snow and ice. If they save it for me in Kansas, I'll consider it.

In San Antonio, TX, 5:50am, 48F. From the parking lot at San Jose Mission Church I ran out to the trail along the San Antonio River and went south to the first road intersection south of I-481/Rte. 281, then I turned back. The turnaround was at the parking lot for Mission La Espada. A near full moon was out and cast my shadow enough to see 50m away, 30ft. below near the river. I ran quicker than yesterday though today's run was longer and had one more hill. After coming back through the construction area I picked-up a lot of mud and finished with heavy feet to see the moon setting over the San Jose Mission. I wished I'd brought my camera then.

In San Antonio, TX, 5:50am, 45F with a breezy drizzle. From the parking lot at San Jose Mission Church (intersection of San Jose and E. Pyron), I ran out to the trail along the San Antonio River and went south through Espada Park. I turned back at a white-washed stone bridge (24:53) just north of I-481/Rte. 281. Starting out and finishing, it was slippery and my shoes were heavy going through mud where there was road construction--it reminded me of the ice back home. The trail south of Military Dr. is more rural and nicer than parts further north. In the dark, I could just make-out the large domed outline of the San Jose Mission Church which appeared to be historic and pretty.

In San Antonio, TX. Up early, I drove down to the intersection of E. Hart St. and Mission Rd. again to be running in the dark at 5:37am, 39F. Like yesterday, I ran down a trail along the San Antonio River but knew where to go this time. I turned around at the dam (26:35) inside Espada Park, past Military Dr. My lower left knee hurt and slowed me the first 10 minutes. Eventually it stopped hurting and I hit my stride. It was neat being far enough south this time of year to see all of Scorpio streached across the night sky. It was breezy coming back up the river.

In San Antonio, TX. Here for work for the first time (2 blocks from the Alamo), I had to search hard for an appropriate trail. The River Walk didn't work since it was too covered with tourists visiting the restaurants. I drove down to the intersection of E. Hart St. and Mission Rd. then ran down a trail along the San Antonio River. There was construction and I missed a turn before getting back on track for a turn around at Espada Park, just past Military Dr. My legs were tight and fatigued from yesterday but I enjoyed the 60F bright sunny day! The trail and parks weren't much to look at compared to the east but they were a whole lot better than the rest of town for running. Distance computed from estimated pace which was much faster coming back upstream.

At the hotel, 30 pushups, 45 situps, upper body work on a type of universal gym machine and dumbells.

From Bel Air Park in Arlington, VA to Bluemont Park and circles in the parking lot as a warm-up for the Custis 12K. It was about 24F with ice and snow on the way. Weighed in this morning at 169.5.

With no O' meet and Peggy's half marathon training program calling for a 15K race, Peggy dragged me out for the DCRRC Custiss 12K. As part of the Snowball series, this race lived up to its name. There was abundant hard ice and snow along more than 50% of the somewhat hilly course. It was an inch thick the first half mile. I got out to a good start and was in 5th at about the mile point. O' shoe studs would have worked good but I had racing flats. O' training probably helped me adapt better with good balance and foot specificity. Everyone slid and many fell. I kept catching one guy on the snowy/icy parts and he kept passing me back where there was clear pavement. At the first turn, the course marshall directed everyone the wrong way. This resulted in the 12K being short by 0.26 miles. This was the first road race I've done in a while and except for the marathon distance, the slowest mile pace for any road race I've ever done--I was training at this pace not very long ago. Oddly, I was still pleased given the conditions and my conditioning. I got first in the 40-49 age group (although one other >40 year old placed overall ahead of me) and 8th overall. With this race having been around a while, Peggy and I ran into Tim Good, Dave Alexander and two other PGRC runners.

After finishing I jogged back on the course to cheer in friends and Peggy. I trailed to the finish Peggy when she came around.