Training Log Archive: Nadim

MCRRC Winter Trails at Lake Needwood Regional Park, MD. Starting at the parking lot near the dam, we crossed the dam, and did a loop on the trail leading to/from the power lines, then returned to the lake side trail. We went up the west side to Needwood Rd., crossed along the lake, then got on the dirt trail going up to the Agricultural History Farm Park. I turned around on Muncaster Rd., just where the trail reenters the woods on the other side. This was a bit over 5.07 mile mark. I returned the way I'd gone out. Though I ran the same route, my overall mileage was shorter returning, as measured by GPS. I was aiming to run between 7 and 10 this day so this was pretty good. Covering the longer distance was a second positive thing since my sudden weight gain had dropped back 3 lbs. just when I needed it. The third thing was that this was solid evidence of getting past my recent right hamstring injury.

I felt okay running at a group pace. I was a few people back from a woman who was leading a second pack (faster people pulled ahead quickly). There were 15-20 people in our group. Sometimes the guy in front of me would slow when going uphill. I managed to trip and fall behind him at one point; probably following too closely. My left knee hurt a little the last 2.5 miles. I'd slowed the last 1.5 miles a lot as I redid the loop near the power lines where it was hillier. The temperature started out at 21 F. The trail was fine for trail running. The woods were not so open. There were several side trails. The main trail paralleled Rock Creek but did go up and down along reentrants and spurs.

From Northfield Rd., to Huntington Pkwy., to Old Georgetown Rd., to W. Cedar. Ln., to the Elmhirst Trail, to Cedar Ln. to Beach Dr., to W. Beach Dr., to E. Beach Dr., to N. Portal Dr., to Colesville Rd., to East-West Dr.,Burlington Ave., to Selim Rd. I rode to Silver Spring to pickup my car. Peggy and I had dropped it off the night before for some maintenance. It was in the 30s F, and sunny. Sometimes it was windy too.

From Northfield Rd to the Bethesda Metro Station. I felt a bit slow. I finally got to ride again since the rains had stopped but having a break was nice too. It was colder out this morning.

Washington, D.C. From 12th and Independence Ave., SW, to Maryland Ave., SW, to 3rd. St, SW, to Pennsylvania Ave., NW, to Constitution Ave., NW, to 12th St., to Independence Ave., SW. I was hesitant to go out and try to run but it turned out okay. I did it as a test to see if I was okay and I didn't have any problems with my hamstring. Overall, I didn't feel too well, but the run was over before I knew it. It was cold out--in the mid or low 30's F with strong winds. I had been stretching my hamstring the last few days and it may have helped along with the rest.

From Bethesda Metro Station the Northfield Rd. After running, I stopped to pickup dinner. It wouldn't fit in my backpack so I carried it via a paper bag handle. With it being cold (well under freezing since water puddles were frozen already) and with strong headwinds, I was slow.

Event: QOC Patapsco Avalon
 

Serpentine Barrens Conservation Park, MD. It was a nice day to be out. As I got started it was over 50 F. I checked the magnetic north alignment of the map again and this time it was pretty close. I made notes for another adjustment. I spent a while checking out areas I'd been to previously and then I dived into the thorny areas. It is complex stuff. Though my GPS will help with the complex edges of vegetation, it was hard to make notes about the boulders and rootstocks. I found plenty of both again. I'm going to have to spend a while double-checking and updating these places. Generally, the thorny areas of Greenbriar Branch can be passed through by using corridors. Getting those corridors correct will be doable, but there are some areas where the thorns thin out allowing one to pass some places too. I did get to the NW side of Greenbriar Branch where the terrain is much, much nicer too. With the contours so bland and general, it's really hard to pinpoint one's location unless you use previously mapped features. I could use the distant power lines at times but soon as I get deeper to the SE, the power lines will be out fully out of sight.

My right hamstring felt okay walking around. It's when I extended it forward running that it was hurting. I think it was a good precaution to just not try to run today.