Training Log Archive: cporter

QOC's local event at Wheaton. Small 1:10,000 map with short legs. I was fairly happy with how I ran my first nine controls - there was very little I could have done to make up lost time (except run faster). However, on my approach to the number nine control the cold that has been plauging me for the past 2 weeks finally caught up with me. First of all, it is my belief (and others I spoke with after my course) that the control was hung on the wrong rootstock. There were two within the control circle, but only one marked on the map. I, of course ran to the wrong one, it was less than a 30 sec. error, but just enough to throw my concentration. Coming out of the control I completely lost all sense of direction and really struggled to re-orient my map which easily lost me 2 min...I did the same thing again on my way to #16 when I came out on a trail and could not figure out which trail I was on (there were several intersecting in a relatively small area). From #9 on my head was in a bit of a fog which caused me to hesitate and second guess myself. Had I been able to keep my head attached to my body for the entire race I could have easily saved 10min.

Overall, though I was not disappointed in how I ran. I'll probably run the course again in a month or so to see if I can beat my time from today and run a cleaner race.

Red - Splits

had to cross Constitution Ave. to start my run, but the National Marathon stood in my way...I joined in the fun for a bit so that I could cross the street without cutting any runners off!

There is nothing better than spring time in Washington D.C.! The blossoms on the trees this time of year are just amazing, although a hex to my allergies. Rather than running around crappy College Park this morning, I decided to treat myself to a run around the Mall downtown. As an added bonus to the already scenic National Mall, the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. l thought I was being clever (although some would say crazy) by foregoing my chance to sleep in a Saturday and getting up before the crack of dawn to take the metro down to the city. Not only is the light at that time of day especially pretty, but I figured that the crowds to see the cherry blossoms would be very minimal. My plan almost worked EXCEPT, I forgot that there was a marathon starting that morning!!! I, of course, remembered as soon as I got off the metro and ran into a crowd of people cheering the runners along Constitution Ave. Fortunately, my planned run avoided most of the crowds. I did have to cross Constitution Ave. and the endless stream of runners though to get to the Mall. Since I was already dressed for the part I just jumped in the race and ran along in the marathon for a block so that I could work my way over to the other side of the street. I guess if people at work ask me what I did this weekend I can legitimately say I ran in a marathon! Haha.

Despite dealing with the crowds for both the marathon and the cherry blossoms, my very early morning run was everything I had hoped it would be - beautiful and inspiring. I will certainly be sacrificing more Saturday mornings in the future to run in downtown D.C.

For anyone that is curious and who know's D.C. my route went like this: Started in front of the National Archives along the mall running towards Washington Monument (about a mile?), from monument ran around the tidal basin (little more than a mile), from basin hit 17th street at WWII monument and ran along the reflecting pool to Lincoln Monument, waved at Abe, and then headed back the other side of the reflecting pool (no more than a mile), ran some more up 17th street and finished at 17th and C Streets in front of the DAR Museum.