Training Log Archive: Nadim

MCRCC Winter Trails: From the Little Bennett Regional Park golf course parking lot, the Winter Trails group ran the entrance road to the Pine Grove Trail, to the Western Piedmont Trail, to Purdum Trail, to the Browning Run Trail, to the Western Piedmont Trail, to the Pine Grove Trail, to the golf course parking lot. This was my first run with the Winter Trails group since 2014. That was prior to having Samantha join our family, and either Peggy or I needing to be home with her. Peggy would have run with the group today too. She's been running with them earlier this year and last year, but she's sick at the moment. I ran most of the way with a guy who was probably around my age. He was definitely in better shape, but that's not saying much. He helped me run comfortably but climbed better. The trails were a little sloppy but not bad for me. I wore my Ice Bugs with the short nubby spikes. The lollipop route was to be run twice by most people. One circuit was good for me. It was probably the second longest run for me in over a year. Not that it was a race, but I finished it in 7th position with most of those in front of me going back for a second loop. It was a bit foggy with some light drizzle, but it did not rain as had been predicted. At the start, it was 39 F, but when finishing, it was 45 F; I got a little warm with my rain gear top.

From Northfield Rd., to Georgetown Pike via Greenwich Park, to Beech Ave., to Anniston Rd., to Lindale Dr., to Sonoma Rd., to Heampstead Rd., to McKinley St., to Garfield St., to Roosevelt St., to Jefferson St., to Northfield Rd. Before going out, I was already feeling tired. I dragged myself through. It was a nice evening for running and I enjoyed the lights. I happened to take a wrong turn, and got confused when on streets I don't usually run on. I was able to relocate and didn't add on too much more than planned.

From Northfield Rd., up Custer Rd., to Wilson La., to Exeter Rd. to Glenbrook Rd. to Rugby Ave., to Woodmont Ave., to Rockville Pike., to the Bethesda Trolley Trail, to the NIH grounds, to Maple Ridge Rd. to Georgetown Pike, to Huntington Pkwy., to Custer Rd. to Northfield Rd. Battery Park was still walled-off for some type of construction work. I felt much slower and heavier on this run. My back had been hurting less today and I wasn't so busy, so that helped me get myself out.

My stats for 2018 are below. Overall, it was disappointing to me despite cycling a few more miles than I had done in recent years (I used to regularly ride more). The biggest issue for me was my failing back--problems started again in January 2018, and that culminated in another surgery in August. I did more running after that but not much. Record rains (+66 inches for the year) set me back sometimes and I logged a lot of time doing field checking on several maps. My lack of running was the most personally disappointing. It got to the point where I feel I've gotten out of the discipline of it. I hope to turn this around in 2019, but we'll see.

Orienteering 156 hours 330.99 miles
Bicycling 98 hours 1,530.04 miles
Running 22 hours 134.85 miles
Hiking 15 hours 34.64 miles