Training Log Archive: Nadim

Muddy Branch Park, Gaithersburg, MD. Starting off of Quince Orchard Rd., I covered a major connecting stream with a previously undiscovered trail, and good bit of technical detail. Later I got back to the central area that I had set out to cover initially. I also hit a few areas that I had passed through earlier. It was in the 90s F. I had water and was carrying extra gear to get ready for the CNYO ROGAINE. I was still weak on hills and tired much more quickly than I expect to but it was better than last week. The woods are so open that field checking goes really fast compared to other areas. As I was covering the last parts, I kept finding new long ditches--nothing but ditch, ditch, ditch. With trails and ditches and some other things, I GPS tracked over 3 miles. After finishing and getting a cold drink, I was surprised at how fast I recovered. Later, Peggy, Max and I saw Despicable Me 2 and enjoyed it.

I was tempted to ride all the way into work but being short on time, and probably needing to run more, I only rode leisurely from Northfied Rd. to the Bethesda Metro Station. It was about 76 F but it felt much warmer. The sun was bright and the humidity was high. A late dinner and holiday dessert eating probably explains the jump in weight. I had a hard time getting to sleep even after going to bed late.

From the Bethesda Metro Station, to Northfield Rd. There were lots of tourists in the metro system and few to no other Federal workers. People even needed directions at the Bethesda Station like they do downtown to tourist sites. I caught the traffic lights just right going home with a tailwind. Not feeling so strong, I just kept a steady pace. It surprised me that I was riding as quickly as I was. It seems so much easier to ride than run these days.

From Northfield Rd. to Old Georgetown Rd. via Greenwich Park, to Cheshire Dr.. to Grosvenor Rd. to the Bethesda Trolley Trail at Fleming Ave. to Old Georgetown Rd. to Northfield Rd. via Greenwich Park. It was 81 F and 74% humidity when I finished. I am still struggling with running in the heat and with various aches and pains. This run started out better than the last 2 runs but I still had to focus to keep myself moving over the last 2 miles. My right quad is still sore from the cycling a week ago--boo. It was a very dark night and nice seeing the fireflies twinkling. I stretched a while after the run and was completely soaked when I went inside.

45 situps. Between a birthday party for my sister, mowing the lawn, gardening, and the birthday parth for the USA, I ran out of time. Peggy, Max, Peggy's brother Paul, and I all went to see the national fireworks display from the lofty lawn of the National Cathedral. It was a nice evening and holiday in general. I had made myself sleep-in this morning but that's getting harder to do. Though there's a little bit of healing to do still, my pulled muscle is better and I'm taking off that flag.

Washington, D.C. From 12th & Independence Ave., SW, onto The Mall, past the Washington Monument and down between the Reflecting pool and the Vietnam War Memorial to Lincoln Circle. to Ohio Dr. to the Rock Creek Trail, to Calvert St., NW to the Woodley Park/Zoo Metro Station. I did pretty much the same run that I did on Monday. For my early release from work, I only got out of the office on hour later than usual. It was a bit more humid out but I did get a breeze sometimes. It was 86 F when I finished. My legs felt better in some ways but I just kept moving along, conserving energy and not pushing. I think I needed that. Lots of tourists were in town so I had to snake my way through them going down The Mall. My pulled muscle is still not fully healed but it was hardly a factor in my run. I stretched a little after the run and didn't feel nearly as bad as I had on Monday. I grabbed dinner to take home and met Peggy, Max, and Peggy's brother Paul there.

45 situps. There's been a lot of rain, and I need to rest my legs too.

Washington, D.C. From 12th & Independence Ave., SW, onto The Mall, past the Washington Monument and down between the Reflecting pool and the Vietnam War Memorial to Lincoln Circle. to Ohio Dr. to the Rock Creek Trail, to Calvert St., NW to the Woodley Park/Zoo Metro Station. I worked late so when I started, the strength of sun from earlier in the day had diminished. I chugged along, happy that I could run. This was my first real running since getting injured about 1 1/2 weeks back and the injury though still there, never bothered me. It was humid from earlier rains and my legs were heavy from the cycling last week. There was also a tailwind from the south but as I ran northward, this meant that I hardly felt had any breeze at all and a breeze would have been welcome in the humidity. I was never that smooth running but I continued to slow-down toward the final climb. It seems that my quadriceps were very tired but I felt this all over. I was sore just after stretching and going down the metro stairs. I really felt bad the last part of the run and, I still had to take it easy from there going home.

I was busy throughout the day and with it being hot, then rainy out too it made sense to take some rest. I did feel okay though, like I should have run or done some exercise.