Training Log Archive: Nadim

45 situps. It was a busy day. I wanted to workout more than this.

From Northfield Rd., Bethesda, MD, to Arlington Rd. with Max on his trail-a-bike, then to the Bethesda Metro Station. It was much cooler this morning but otherwise uneventful.

From Northfield Rd. to the Bethesda Metro Station. Since Peggy and I had an adoption errand during the day, I had come home and had to run over to the station to get my bicycle. I was a bit full from a late lunch.

From the Bethesda Metro Station to Arlington Rd. alone, then back to the station with Max on his trail-a-bike, and Peggy on her bike. After dinner, we all rode an ambling route back home in the dark.

From Northfield Rd., Bethesda, MD, to Arlington Rd. to 12th & C St. SW, Washington, D.C. I used my road bike. I was moving pretty good but got caught after Mass. Ave. by another commuter that I hadn't seen in a while. He remembered me from years when I used to pull Max in his trailer. He was moving down the trail averaging 24mph most of the time. I pulled for him this fast on the flats for a while after Fletcher's Boathouse but I quickly tired and he moved-up to ride parallel for a while. We split after Georgetown. There were a lot of cranes dropping in things for the MLK dedication along Ohio Dr. It seemed like more than earlier. They erected what I presume to be two temporary restroom buildings on both ends of one field and were busy building bleachers, etc...

From 12th & C St. SW, Washington, D.C. to Northfield Rd., Bethesda, MD. A cold front was passing through just as it was time to leave work. I brought light rain as well as the cooler weather. That wasn't bad but I also had strong headwinds up to Georgetown. Coming out of a bridge overpass, I almost got blown over. After reaching Georgetown, shelter from buildings and then trees on the CCT reduced the wind impact but still it still rained and slowed me down all the way home. It probably was not so good for the light head cold that I seemed to have picked-up on Monday from Peggy or Max.

Earlier this morning, I had thought I was seeing the MLK dedication infrastructure going up along Ohio Drive because it was in the same place that it had been setup a few weeks ago. With more of the structures having gotten setup, I saw that it was really the Solar Decathlon that was being setup. In the past the Solar Decathlon was setup closer to where I work, in the heart of the National Mall. This year it's between the Potomac River and the Tidal Basin, near the Roosevelt Memorial. It was somewhat ironic with it being a cloudy day.

From the Silver Spring Metro Station, to 2nd Ave. to Grace Church Rd., and following the Georgetown Branch Trail over the road portion, (Talbot Ave. Pennsylvania Ave., Kansas Ave. and Stewart Ave.) to the unpaved portion, to Woodmont Ave. in Bethesda, to Edgemore Ln. at the Bethesda Metro Station. I felt a bit better in the 3rd and 4th miles and just so so the rest of the time. Looking to finish the last half mile, being a little tired upon emerging from the Georgetown Branch Trail tunnel at Bethesda Ave. and Woodmont Ave., I saw a limousine backing up ahead blocking some bicycles ahead of me and blocking my way too. I moved to go around the shorter side behind the limo as I usually would when things get in the way in this sometimes busy area. I then noticed a second limo, then a few men with ear pieces. One moved in front of me and I was then directed to go around the longer way. It was probably the President's motorcade. I didn't wait as a crowd started to form.

C • President's motorcade 1

Greenbelt Park, MD. Working in the area today, I stopped here afterward for a run. I ran the Perimeter Trail by myself from the Sweetgum parking lot. There was a little bit of erosion visible in an area near the intersection of the Baltimore Washington Pkwy. and Greenbelt Rd. but the rest of the trail was in good shape. The recent hurricane and rains hadn't hurt much. I saw plenty of thick woods and deadfall from earlier storms but not much that was new. Oddly enough, I saw some large areas that may have been cleaned-up in the south and southwest. There was no undergrowth in these areas and even the low branches seemed to have been cleared. Perhaps the park was eradicating an invasive species but the areas affected were pretty large. I never felt that good but neither did I struggle too hard. My quads were tired from riding hard the day before.

From Northfield Rd., Bethesda, MD, to Arlington Rd. to 12th & C St. SW, Washington, D.C. I used my road bike. It was in the mid 60s F but humid. I was moving well, passing a lot of people along the way. The winds were calm. If it weren't for traffic at the end, I would have been under 36 minutes.

From 12th & C St. SW, Washington, D.C. to Northfield Rd., Bethesda, MD. Leaving work, the guards had just closed the gates of the courtyard where I lockup but they opened them to let me out. There was a bit of traffic getting out of DC including tourists and workers starting to rebuild the MLK memorial dedication infrastructure. It seems only a short while ago that they were taking it apart and the dedication is not until October 16th. Despite this and carrying a laptop computer along with my regular change of clothes/shoes, I moved quickly to Georgetown. Leaving Georgetown, one guy followed me out. We traded some pulls. I was the stronger rider even carrying all of the extra stuff so I did the most pulling but his help came in good places and was much appreciated. We were pretty much together until Wilson Ln. My arm were tired afterward and I was rather sweaty.

Lake Needwood Park, MD. I went to checkout some areas of the the map which David Onkst had cited needing some fixes and updates before QOC's first meet here next week. I found less than expected storm damage to trees but I could also tell that the water levels from the heavy rains last week had subsided in areas. The lake is now at a normal level. It hasn't been at this level since last year or so, when it had been lowered for construction activity at the north end. Water was still shooting out of the dam quickly. Crossing the water below the dam was not safe and I didn't even attempt it. I wouldn't send anyone across where there were no bridges on this day but it might be better by next week. I corrected several areas in the west and along the landfill when I went through them though I doubt these areas will be used.