Training Log Archive: Nadim

From Northfield Rd. I field checked a street-O route that I'd set. Had I set it after field checking, I'd have been able to make a better course. The first part of it was set with almost only route choices. Part of my thinking there had been to make a shorter version easy enough for novices to do. When I got into checking the more urban areas, I was delighted to find it interestingly tricky with some good variety. Even with printing at 1:4,000 scale, there was enough detail for those whose eyes are worsening like me to want a magnifying glass. I actually set out streamers while I was field checking and only made adjustments to 2 controls. I'd like to get much of the downtown Bethesda area mapped a little bit at a time. I hadn't even gotten to map the areas yet which originally inspired both Peggy and myself to make such a map.

From Northfield Rd., Bethesda, MD to Arlington Rd. with Max on his trail-a-bike, then to C St. SE, Washington, D.C. This is an estimated time since I encountered issues with my cycle computer. I was riding pretty smoothly and passed people steadily. An apparent tailwind helped me keep up about 21mph on the flats into Georgetown but the willow trees were not moving on Ohio Dr. It was overcast and a bit humid from hurricane weather out at sea but the temperature was probably in the upper 70s or low 80s F. I had been pretty slow getting going this morning after staying up to work on drafting an orienteering map.

From 14th and Independence Ave. SE, Washington, D.C. to Arlington Ave., Bethesda, MD to pickup Max's trail-a-bike, then to Northfield Rd. Leaving work after 6pm, I rode the obligatory hallways in the basement to the front entrance/exit. I rode pretty steadily making good speed going up the hill toward Bethesda, and not slowing as much as the last time.

From Northfield Rd., Bethesda, MD to Arlington Rd. with Max on his trail-a-bike, then to C St. SE, Washington, D.C. I felt better than I had on Tuesday but after a while of pushing gears too big, I backed it down. I passed a lot of people but one guy went past on the flats doing 23mph. I was doing just under 20mph and could only stick with him for a short way. I caught him later, just after Georgetown. He was going my way and pulled ahead for good on Ohio Dr. where there were some slight headwinds. With my new routine, I anticipate getting to work in under 40 minutes again in the near future.

From C St. SE, Washington, D.C. to Northfield Rd. Bethesda, MD. I started to pickup Max's trail-a-bike, but I turned away once I realized I was short on time. I had to make it to my first parent/teacher night and picked-up the trailer afterward. The ride was easier than expected. I suppose I had a tailwind. I climbed much better than on Tuesday though I did get a bit tired toward the end. It was pretty warm out.

From Northfield Rd., to Arlington Ave. with the trail-a-bike. I rode in my work clothes so after dropping off Max, I walked to the Bethesda Metro station and got sweaty.

I had trouble getting to sleep last night partly due to mysterious itching behind my knees. Peggy, Max and I all have symptoms of poison ivy. I usually don't rash from it and it usually doesn't bother me from casual contact (very minor red spots were there last week). I'm not sure how we all could have picked it up and why it's still around after over week. Is it something else from our swim in the bay? It's going away.

From the Friendship Heights Metro Station, Western Ave. to Connecticut Ave. to the Georgetown Branch Trail, to Woodmont Ave. to Edgemoor Ln. to Arlington Rd. It had been slow getting through the crowded metro system but it felt good to be wearing cool running clothes. I donned my backpack with my work clothes and got running in the heat to make up for it. It didn't feel so bad and I could definately tell that the heat had broken for the day. On Western Ave., I felt I was doing okay keeping up with the cars stuck in almost gridlocked traffic. Along Connecticut Ave. I was leaving the cars in the dust. They'd move faster than me for 15 seconds or so but because they had to stop and I didn't, they didn't have a chance. On the Georgetown Branch Trail, I felt rather weak but mustered enough to pass a guy who joined the trail from the other direction about the same time that I did.

From Arlington Rd. to Northfield Rd. with Max's trail-a-bike in tow. It felt great to cool off from my run by riding. It was 94 F after finishing though the humidity was relatively low.

From Northfield Rd., Bethesda, MD to Arlington Rd., then to C St. SE, Washington, D.C. I rode with Max on the trail-a-bike to Arlington Rd. then the rest of the way to work. It was in the low to mid-70s F. I didn't feel that strong but did pass a steady stream of riders. It might have been because I went in earlier than I've been going, but there were a lot of other riders going both directions on the trail. I frequently had to slow down to wait to pass slower riders or pedestrians. I think the Georgetown Cross Country mens and womans teams were on the towpath near Fletcher's Boathouse too. I felt weak much of the time. Though I suspected a tailwind, none was perceptible at the willow trees along the Potomac River. My legs felt unbalanced, then sort of tight and sinewy afterward. It was good to be back on the bicycle again--it seemed like I lost so much during the 2 weeks I was sick.

From C St. SE, Washington, D.C. to Arlington Ave., Bethesda, MD to pickup Max's trail-a-bike, then to Northfield Rd. It was hot and I was slow. I was a bit sore from the earlier ride and running. I carried a little extra weight and used a backpack that kept me hotter--two sets of clothes and shoes since I had to take home my set from yesterday when I rode. I wandered about in Bethesda as I'm working on finding the optimal route.

From 14th & Independence Ave., Washington, D.C. Independence Ave. to the Reflecting Pool, to the Lincoln Memorial, to the trail along the Potomac River, to the Thompson Boathouse parking lot & the Rock Creek Trail, to the Woodley Park Metro Station. I'd been coughing more today and feeling like I might be getting sick again. Leaving work late and eagar to hear about Max's first day of kindergarten, I went out to run anyway since I'd brought my clothes and didn't want to sqander the opportunity. It was around 94 F after I was finished. I was plodding along most of the way feeling slow, but I did keep passing the few others that I saw running. Once into the Rock Creek valley, the shade of the hills and the low sun really made a difference in the comfort level. I picked-up my pace for a bit over the last mile. I was surprised approaching the big hill at the end for being as fast as I was. Once home Max eagarly told me what he could and then Peggy and I pumped out the rest of the news from his good day.

At the Algonkian Park (VA) Volcano Island water park, I splashed and chased Max a while before we switched pools. Max tried to surf on me while I swam. It didn't work very well but I got some arm work in. I was going to run later but a long birthday party for a freind of Max's wore me out. However, seeing the tortise and touching the lizards was kind of neat