Training Log Archive: Nadim

Lake Needwood, Montgomery County, MD. As usual, I got a later than planned start at setting controls. I had arranged to do this with Stephen who is training to gain berth in an Army position in which orienteering skill is one of the required qualifications. We proceeded counter-clockwise around the lake as I explained orienteering maps, ways navigate to controls, and ways to verify the location. We were slowed by the approximate 100 F weather (it was predicted to reach 101 F), and some high grasses. An area of mixed open and rough open which was a lot of fun in the winter to map, was covered by invasive stilt grass. Despite having +2 hours to do this in, we started to get behind. I rushed in a few places and as a result may have set a few controls a little off. I discovered a new trail being made very close and parallel to another--I'm not sure why they'd want to do that but I will eventually come back to map it. I had carried water with me but didn't drink much until after rounding the lake. The cummulative effect of the heat and time out started wearing us down. I also managed to hurt my left big toe somehow--something seemed to get in my trail shoe and it felt like it cut me under the joint when I stepped on it. Afterward when I got my shoe off, I expected to see blood but there none and I was able to finish okay.

I set a few controls w/o Stephen, planning to meet him ahead. Down to the last 3 controls, I figured I'd have enough time to finish, then I realized that I left the bag full of controls back up the hill at the previous control. It wasn't fun going back for them but I ended up doing it, setting the other controls and getting to the parking lot to finish just before 4pm when people were ready to start. Stephen went out to put water at the one water stop but had a mishap along the way--his backpack opened up and most of the 2 gallons spilt away :( Heidi Onkst had some extra so we got about a gallon placed. About 15 people came which was a great turnout for such a hot day.

Lake Needwood, MD. Peggy had picked-up the controls around the lake as she did her course. Eddie Bergeron volunteered to go out again to get the farthest controls, and I got 4 others on some of the hilly terrain. We had a nice dinner later.

From Northfield Rd. to Beech Dr. and back on the trail-a-bike to drop off Max. We went, and I returned going the longer back way through neighborhoods, past Ayrlawn Park. It was warmish but Max was pedaling well.

From Northfield Rd. to the Bethesda Metro Station. I had to go back home half way there when I realized that I'd forgotten to pack my work shoes. It was awkward riding with both my backpack and my laptop dangling off my shoulders and bumping my legs as I pedaled. If it weren't for the laptop, I would have ridden all the way to work.

From the Bethesda Metro Station to Northfield Rd. It's always fun to leave work on a Friday.

From Northfield Rd., Greenwich Park, to Old Georgetown Rd. to Beech Dr. to to Singleton Dr. to Bulls Run Pkwy., to the trail along the 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. It was 89F and humid but it still felt much better than it had during the daytime. I had worked in Beltsville, MD earlier in the day. I was thinking of going for a run in Greenbelt Park but the heat discouraged me and I thought it'd be better to get Max as soon as possible since his summer camp is mostly outside. He'd finished using the pool and I found him inside watching a movie with the other kids. My run this night started slow--it was really dark in Greenwich Park. I was about 15:30 at 2 miles but I picked up the pace. Overall, I felt much better than running the other day this week, however my left calf started out tight from that run. After finishing I walked around to cool off and found that I was more wobbly than expected. My left hand was a little numb too like I feel once in a while when riding my bike.

From Northfield Rd. to Beech Dr. and back on the trail-a-bike to drop off Max. We went out through Greenwich Park and on sidewalks on Old Georgetown Rd. There were too many narrow spots as well as foot and auto traffic. Returning, I went via neighborhood streets using Beech Dr. and Heampstead Rd. That was much better and quicker, despite it being longer and a little hillier. My legs felt a little better after running yesterday.

From Northfield Rd. to the Bethesda Metro Station. For some reason, my wireless computer would not register movement so the time is estimated.

From the Bethesda Metro Station to Northfield Rd. I carried back the backpack holding a change of clothes that I had brought this morning, the bag and change of clothes from my run yesterday, and a laptop which I had forgotten that I'd have to take due to working off-site on Thursday. I looked like a bag guy and it was awkward with them all hanging off me.

From Northfield Rd. to Montgomery Mall. I went to pickup our van that Peggy had left after she got her car fixed. It was fun riding at night but warm. I had to keep an eye out for nasty potholes and came close on at least one deep one which would have been bad to get rutted in.

From the Friendship Heights Metro Station at Western Ave., Friendship Rd. to Willard Ave. to the Little Falls Trail, to River Rd. to the Capital Crescent Trail, to Bethesda Ave. to Woodmont Ave. to the Bethesda Metro Station. With heat alerts, the threat of thunderstorms, and my legs feeling tired from cycling, I decided to try a run. It had been so long since I last ran on roads or paved trails that I didn't know what to expect. It was around 95-96F when I got started and rather humid. That turned out not to bother me as much as my legs. The slightest upslopes take much more effort than it should. With the cycling I've been doing, I was expecting it. It should benefit me later. For now, it's just something to slog through. The one trail split I took was 8:00/mile pace. I was loosening-up a bit as I went but my stride seemed alien. I stretched afterward.

From Northfield Rd., Bethesda, MD, to 12th & C St. SW, Washington, D.C. Riding my road bike, there was a lot of traffic on both the roads and on the trail. It was just aboutt the busiest day on the trail that I could remember with lots of cyclists, runners and walkers. Weaving through these, I pulled for a while, got a little bit of a draft, but also got passed and dropped on an acceleration. I picked-up the pace during that but overall, I was just too tired and didn't need that kind of work for now. Headwinds from the south were felt for most of the way.

From 12th & C St. SW, Washington, D.C. to Northfield Rd., Bethesda, MD. Having had a headwind in the morning and seeing a wind shift at noon from the flags visible around the National Mall, I was disappointed thinking I'd have a headwind going back. However the wind continued to shift. I only had a headwind for about a mile initially. It was afterward mostly a tailwind. Being tired, I needed it. I passed a lot of people on the trail. I towed one of them in my draft much of the way up the hill toward Bethesda, but then he helped out on the stretch from Dalecarlia to River Rd. The humidity was high and temperatures in the 90s F somewhere.

45 situps. I had a busy day cleaning and doing more painting. Our family also went into VA to visit my dad who's back in the hospital again. There was a small opportunity to workout but I thought some rest might be beneficial.