Training Log Archive: Nadim

Rock Creek Park, Washington, D.C. From the trailhead on Oregon Ave., NW, at the intersection with Beech St., I ran what's becoming a growing network of social trails to Beach Dr., NW. Turning north/left, I got to the bridge going over Rock Creek, then I got on the Valley Trail going south. I forked to Beach Dr., at the bridge just above Military Rd., where Beach crosses Rock Creek, and turned right/north for a short way. From there, I worked my way to the Western Ridge Trail, and to the Pinehurst Trail. I added on continuing on the Pinehurst Trail past Oregon Ave., SW. to get adequate distance. Taking forks to the left, I avoided creek crossings but added climb. I would have turned around a little earlier but there were not easy creek crossing after I'd gone the right distance. I looped on Western Ave., NW, and Beech St., NW, with one brief foray back into the woods where there was a trailhead. I felt fairly slow on most of this despite it being a surprising 68 F at noon. It was humid. The trails overall were not muddy since heavy rains washed them down to the clay, rocks and tree roots. There were many families and small groups on the Valley Trail and Beach Dr., but not many elsewhere.

From Cedar Ln., to Knowles Ave. via Beach Dr. and back. Since the Beach Dr. has been closed more hours during these COVID-19 times, I opted to use it rather than the trail. The recent rains had caused flooding and I wanted to avoid debris and mud. As I ran the road, I could see that most of the paved trail was okay. Some of it appeared to have been washed clear, but it was damp. Later, I saw other part still with mud and some runners faltering in those parts. The trail and road intertwine some but I was surprised at one crossing to find the distances (going from memory of the trail) to be pretty close. The road was more consistent in how it climbed however; not that there was a lot of climb. It was just stead and seemed like a grind at times because I was tired. I did not feel much from my right hamstring like on the run the night before. My right leg was more tired than my left, and the right quadriceps felt sore. I'm still not physicall used to doing 4 miles a day, though mentally it's not bad.

From Northfield Rd. to Custer Rd., to Wilson Ln., to Glenbrook Rd., to Bradley Blvd., to Kennedy Dr., to the Capital Crescent Trail, to Woodmont Ave., to Old Georgetown Rd., to Huntington Pkwy., to Custer Rd., to Northfield Rd. With torrential rain earlier, I made dinner and ran late. As usual when doing this I felt undigested starting out. However the weather wasn't done with me. Starting out at 78 F, it was 99% humidity. I was swimming in sweat as I returned. Overall, the run went much easier than I thought it was. I started out leaving myself an option to run shorter. I was tired when running yesterday but I decided I felt okay today. On the dark incline of the CCT leading into downtown Bethesda, my right hamstring gave a few twangs. I slowed the pace which wasn't hard to begin with, and in Bethesda, I stopped to stretch for a while. Starting up, i felt it a few more times. I shortened my stride and took it easier to finish the last +1 mile.

From Northfield Rd., Greenwich Park, to Old Georgetown Rd. to Beech Dr. to Singleton Dr. to Bulls Run Pkwy., to the trail along the middle school to Bradmore Dr. to Folkstone Rd. to Hartsdale Ave. to Heampstead Ave. to McKinley St. to Garfield St., to Roosevelt St., to the trail at Jefferson St. to Northfield Rd. I started out a little slow but in the second mile, I had picked-up the pace without realizing it. I went on to feel it in the 3rd, and 4th miles. My right leg felt pretty worn out afterward.

From Northfield Rd. to Old Georgetown Rd. via Greenwich Park, to Ipswich Rd. to Fleming Ave. to the Bethesda Trolley Trail, to Old Georgetown Rd. to Northfield Rd. via Greenwich Park. It was in the low 80s F, and a little humid. I thought I was going slower starting out. I didn't feel that strong. Sometimes I opened my stride and others, I shortened it.

Lake Needwood Regional Park, MD. Starting at Needwood Rd., up the dirt trail going up towards the Agricultural History Farm Park to Muncaster Rd. (not Muncaster Mill Rd., which I crossed), and back. I felt pretty good in the first mile, and okay the second. Except for the first 200m, it was shady route. Despite it being noon, the air felt pretty cool. I had anticipated going to Muncaster Mill Rd., if I didn't find a good turnaround point before then. Though there were a few opportunities, I kept feeling like I was nearer to Muncaster Mill Rd., so I kept going. I could use the extra distance anyway so all was well. The trail has a lot of modest ups and downs. It's probably used more by mountain bikers this time of year than hikers. Starting out a guy seemed to be doing cyclocross going the other direction. There were very few people on the trail overall. I was glad for the generally descending trail returning. I would slow and speed up depending on the slope.

Wheaton Regonal Park. From the dog park parking area, I ran down to Pine lake, and then took trails down to and on the Northwest Branch Trail. I turned around past the rock overhang a ways, where the old and new trail fork. There were a good many people hiking, including some groups of children and their collective parents. Most people hiking about were wearing masks. The air felt good; there was still some coolness to it. I felt pretty strong in the first mile which is the one with the most downhill. My pace wasn't indicative of it. I was a little tight in my calves the first quarter mile, which had some pavement.