Training Log Archive: Nadim

Summer Short Series at Prince William Forest (PWF). After a delay from traffic, I got people started. Everyone had a control to put out. They then ran short or long courses while Max and I waited. I got started after Peggy returned. Despite summer vegetation, the woods were pretty nice. This terrain has a lot of subtle intricacy. I spiked most things despite most of the controls having been picked up. However, on number 7 of the long course, I made a big parallel error, realizing things were truly wrong while on the way to number 8 and somehow getting there. It had been hot and humid so I was pretty tired after that. I didn't get to the long leg that I'd designed, and I took a trail back.

From Northfield Rd., Bethesda, MD, to 12th and C St. SW, Washington, D.C. I slept past my alarm. I didn't eat that much yesterday so I was a bit surprised at the weight gain; I suppose I'm retaining some water. Speaking of which, one of Max's guppies has already died so we spent more time burying Big Eye.

After getting Max to camp (he has his swim show today) I decided I didn't want to miss another day. My work schedule yesterday was up in the air with a potential to go to Beltsville for a meeting. I ended-up teleconferencing. Though that is usually fine, the acoustics of about 10 people in a big room all talking at once was not conducive for arguing my recommendation for a change--the change went through but it was stressful. When I got home I was tired and there were thunderstorms so I didn't run or ride. This morning it was in the mid 70s F but very muggy from the storms. More leg sorenesss and a hint of a headwind from the south had me slower, especially the last mile.

From 12th St & Independence Ave., SW, Washington, D.C. to to Northfield Rd., Bethesda, MD. I left work late so I first had to ride through the courtyard and basement of the building to get to 12th & Independence Ave., SW. I rode steadily, stopping off to pickup dinner (Chipotle) per a request from Max.

From Northfield Rd. to the Bethesda Metro Station. The day was somewhat disrupted by needing to go to a doctor appointment in the morning. After getting back, I went to work. My legs were a bit sore or just achy.

From Northfield Rd., Greenwich Park to Old Georgetown Rd. to W. Cedar Ln. to Elmhirst Pkwy. to Cedar Ln. to the Rock Creek Trail, to Connecticut Ave., to the Georgetown Branch Trail., to Elm St. to Wisconsin Ave., to the Bethesda Metro Station. After rushing out of the office to get home in time to get Max his first pets (Fast Fist, Speedy, Big Eye, and The Chosen One), I was still full from eating dinner out. I went grocery shopping and was wondering how Iwas going to get a decent run in. My legs were still somewhat achy. At least it was nice out; at 78 F, it was much better than a typical July night.in the DC area. The humidity was low too. I took it easy getting out the first quarter mile. I had to for the way I was feeling but also because of the darkness under the trees; darker than on average despite a quarter moon. Slowly, I picked up speed without trying too hard. I misread my mile split. Thinking 7:37 was faster than expected, when I got home I found that it was really 7:27. Going down the hill into Rock Creek was a lot quicker despite slowing down when I ran off the paved trail by accident in the dark. I cruised along and climbed out along Connectucut Ave. without much trouble. I pushed the last mile or so up the Georgetown Branch Trail in the dark. It was surprising all around at the finish when I looked at my average mile time. I guess the weather and warming-up make a lot of difference. Too bad tomorrow is going to be just as confusing a day but hotter.

From the Bethesda Metro Station to Northfield Rd. I had finished my run at the station so that I could retrieve my bicycle.

From Northfield Rd., Bethesda, MD, to 12th and C St. SW, Washington, D.C. I got out to a fair start with some tiredness from my run yesterday. There was little traffic. Once again, once on the CCT, I moved fast. Two other riders, one in front and one behind me converged within about 10 seconds of each other. The guy in front of me was carying a rack with trunk and other stuff. He didn't look that fast but knew I was behind as he speeded-up. I caught him as trail traffic naturally caused him to slow but I never saw the guy behind again. We were zipping along at 25-26 mph. That's too fast for me to sustain so I stayed behind. We caught another guy who was going fast, and then the guy in front of me slowed to his pace. As we hit the small rise at Dalecarlia, they slowed a lot so I figured it was my turn to do some work. I got us up to 23 mph, then after cresting the rise, they sprinted-off around me. I lost contact as they passed but was doing up to 28mph for a while and still losing them. I rested-up on the flats after catching another guy going around 20mph. I took over at a faster pace, then he helped get me into Georgetown. The rest of the way, was more sane. I thought about there being a headwind but the willow trees along Ohio Dr. showed nothing. In reality, it was probably that I was tired. It was still pretty humid but in the upper 70's to low 80s F--I was pretty wet afterward. However, I was really surprised at the time shown. I hadn't been looking at the time, just occaisionally the speed. This must be the fastest time I've ever done while commuting this route--I thought it'd be close but not 3 minutes faster.

From 12th & C St. SW, Washington, D.C. to Northfield Rd., Bethesda, MD. There were some pretty good headwinds getting to Georgetown, then less. I moved fairly well into the winds but I was also feeling the effect of the ride this morning. It was rather humid; near 90 F.

Lake Needwood Park, MD. I'm set to do the course setting for a QOC meet here in September. I thought it best to check out the terrain after the effects of the dechero storm. The park had been closed for 2 weeks. There sure was a lot of deadfall but the park was still in pretty good shape. I'm going to have to spend some time to update the map with new rootstocks and impassable areas. In some places, the new rootstocks add convenient features that will help with course setting. What was in some ways worse was the invasive stilt grass. It seems to be growing well on the southern and eastern facing slopes where there is some moisture. It won't be gone in September so I'll have to try to route courses away from it. In addition to the natural and invasive changes in terrain, I found what seems to be some markers in the forest for new fences that might get built--boo. In another area near Lake Frank, a major dirt trail that was over a sewer pipeline, is now paved. The map I ran with today only covered about half the distance that I covered. I was ony making mental notes to get a fee for where it'll be best to spend my time. When I ran off the map and aimed at features that I remembered, I hit them pretty well--having made the map for the area, I know it too well, despite the changes. It was pretty humid when I ran. I kept a comfortable pace, walking up the steep hills and not jumping too fast over the deadfall. I was as wet after finishing this as I was after setting up and taking down the course on Saturday in the rain.

Busy day. After lunch with my sisters and a movie with Peggy and Max, I setup an aquarium for Max. The fish will come later. I justified a rest day to myself by being tired and thinking that the rest would make a better day tomorrow.