Training Log Archive: Nadim

Seneca Creek State Park, Lake Clopper Area. Starting from the south side of the lake, I ran parts of the Mink Hollow Trail, then looped back to track the many side trails of the Lake Shore Trail. I used a GPS to capture them for the map of the park that I'm making. After a decent rest the last few days, I felt some strength returning to my legs. I did however walk a few of the steeper social trails branching out of the picnic areas. The weather wasn't bad--low humidity and not very hot. The forests on the south side of the lake are so much more open than those on the north side of it. It all seems to have to do with the slope. Where the land is angled more perpendicular to the sun, the vegetation gets thick. Where it's angled away there are some very nice and open forests.

Seneca Creek State Park, Lake Clopper Area. I started out covering areas south of the lake on the west end. I made good time wrapping around the rounded slopes of Mink Hollow, finding mostly open forest, a long ride, several boulders and cliffs, and a few sizeable root stocks. Continuing around to where the hollow bends further south, a line of green started. I went back to the north/west side of Mink Hollow too. I hadn't had much time when I was finishing-up last week and the forest on the hillside looked bad. Just to be sure I didn't miss something noteworthy, I walked northward toward the base of the dam. For the most part, the woods on the hillside were nasty and not worth going in in the summer time. I got forced down to the trail at the bottom a few times. Eventually I did find an animal track that climbed from the bottom to the ridge road, and a few area of nicer forest. Going back to the eastern and southern slopes, the forest was nice again. I found a sizeable cliff and a few boulders.

Once home I saw a little Polynesian dancing, courtesy of our former real estate dealer (they have an annual party). I then mowed the lawn and played some soccer with Max. I weighed-out at 176, after eating and drinking water. The ball of my left foot was aching a bunch and even my right foot was bothering me.

From Northfield Rd. to Pearl St., with Max on his bicycle, then to the Bethesda metro station.

From Bethesda metro station to Pearl St., then to Northfield Rd., towing Max's bicycle. It was kind of warm and humid and in my work clothes.

From Northfield Rd., to Bethesda Triangle for some ice cream with Max and Peggy, then back via the Bethesda Trolley Trail.

From Northfield Rd. to the Bethesda metro station. I had a training class so I had to get out early and it wasn't conducive to cycling further.

From the Bethesda metro station to Northfield Rd. In the evening, Peggy, Max and I went out.

45 situps. I had a long busy work day.

From Northfield Rd. to Pearl St., with Max on his bicycle, then to 13th and C St. SW, Washington, D.C. I was feeling tired from the ride yesterday and there were also strong headwinds to slow me down. I moved along pretty well but around Fletcher's Boathouse an older guy passed me. I hopped onto his wheel and he rode 22-23mph across the flats into the wind which is faster than I have been doing it lately when feeling good without any wind. On Water St. in Georgetown, I moved ahead again and on the other side I fought harder winds along the water.

From C St. SW, Washington, D.C. to Northfield Rd. I took it a little easier but also had traffic in DC.

From Northfield Rd. to Pearl St., with Max on his bicycle, then to 13th and C St. SW, Washington, D.C. Max and I cut across town getting him to a bus that'd take him to a different summer camp. He was eager to go to this one to learn some cooking, amongst other things. Going to work, I caught some fast riders who accelerated. It got a bit dicey drafting on each other and passing others. The group of us spread out. There was a pretty good headwind. I felt sluggish.

From 12th & C St. SW, Washington, D.C. to Rock Creek Pkwy. up Beach Dr., to Grosvenor Rd., to Rockville Pike, to the Bethesda Trolley Trail, to Old Georgetown Rd. to Huntington Pkwy. to Northfield Rd., Bethesda, MD. I had a tailwind getting out of DC but feeling a need to do more longer workouts, I opted to take the long way home. Traffic was a little heavier so while it looks like I am 30 seconds faster than last week, it's hard to compare. I was also a little more tired and riding without the tailwind last week. I did some good spinning getting over hills and on the gradual grades.

Seneca Creek State Park, Lake Clopper Area. I covered a good bit of ground today. I started re-checking and fixing some rough open areas that I was a bit uncertain on early (that got my feet wet early going through tall wet grass and they stayed that way the whole time), then I went to a detailed rock area to make adjustments. Afterward, I hit the ridge west of the dam. One side of that ridge was wide open and had interesting rocks and ditches. The other side was thick green and I only covered parts visible from the trail. I'll probably have to do more of the green area in the winter. All-in-all, it was a pretty good outing.