Training Log Archive: Nadim

From Ken-Gar Park in Rock Creek Park, MD, down the Rock Creek Trail to a bit past Knowles Ave. then onto Beach Dr. the back onto the Rock Creek Trail to Cedar La. and back. It was a nice morning in the upper 60's F starting out. We'd gotten there late but along the way going there I had seen many people detouring from the trail to the road. I presumed that this was to avoid downed trees or flooded trail from the recent record rains. Running with Max in the Babyjogger, I didn't care to find out and just followed what others were doing. There was some sand and debris on the trail. Many trees limbs and shrubs had busted-up but most of the run was dry and the debris, including sand had been plowed away. Breakfast with the MCRRC was shortened so Max and I could see the Russian American Kids Circus on Stage at the Publick Playhouse in Cheverly, MD.

Loch Raven Reservoir, Baltimore, MD. The opening QOC Summer Short Series event was hosted by Francis Hogel. While many people were on travel, probably not enough others got word of it soon enough. Edddie B., Ted Good, Peggy, Max and I were the only ones there to enjoy the courses. Francis' map was a bit out of date or incomplete. There were extra trails. My gut hurt a bunch starting out but then loosened-up or otherwise got better. Some parts of the map were much greener than mapped including open fields with high grass. Number 2 was said to be placed a bit off but I the ribbon for it. I only got the first two controls before attempting #3 missing and then heading back. We'd gotten there late. Peggy had gone out first while I watched Max in the parking lot. We needed to be finished without much delay to keep our reservation at the restaurant where we'd parked. While waiting, Max got the idea to put a rock on his head and try to balance it. I suppose he was impressed by the children circus performers who twirled and tumbled a great show. If you think orienteers work hard, the Russian children circus performers we saw earlier in the day, ages 8 to about 15 who put in 3 hours every day and about 6 hours on weekends; about 120 1 1/2 hour shows a year (Max did well sitting through this despite it being past his nap time). Back home, they have some 3 year old performers. Maybe it was good that Max had trouble with the rock and only just today turned 19 months old; an inch taller than when we got him.

From Rosedale Ave. in Bethesda, MD to C St. SW in Washington, D.C. Fairly dry and in the mid-60's F. I towed a guy from Bethesda to past Fletcher's boathouse then we traded a pull. Traffic on roads in DC was light so I took a shortcut up Independence Ave. instead of rounding the Tidal Basin as usual. Lack of recent exercise made my legs feel knotty. I had used some of the time when not training to improve my ability with OCAD for mapping. Some that time was used for getting over being sick and some, some of it for cleaning-up water in the basement and some of it was just being lazy.

From 12th & C St. S.W., Washington, D.C. to Rosedale Ave., Bethesda, MD. Working late, I cruised home at a steady pace spinning. I got some leg cramps in the calves. There was quite a bit of foot traffic in Georgetown and Bethesda.

I woke-up with a sore back again and it stayed that way much of the day. However, my constitution and appetite improved gradually. While sitting out the rain and watching TV in the evening, our neighbor knocked on the door and she calmly indicated that her neighbor on the other side needed help. Rising flood waters filled their backyards poured into a window well, broke the glass window and flooded their basement. I got my shovel out to build a small dam around the window well of the kind I played making as a kid. Later I dug small trenches to keep the water from pooling near with window wells and in other places near my house too. Both the neighbors had a foot of water in their basements. One had to turn-off the electricity and the other called the fire department to turn off the gas. I was spared with only a half inch at the deepest in our laundry room. I wet vacuumed about 20 gallons out. After all the fuss and nervous energy I did my 45 situps. The first two hurt a little but seemed to help my back feel better.