Training Log Archive: Nadim

MCRRC at Ken Gar. Once again we got there just slightly late. A group had just started as Peggy and I walked to the trail. The ones I wanted to run with had taken off earlier so I took off somewhere under 7 min/mile pace. It was then that I realized that I'd left my watch. I was passing scattered marathon trainers and others as if I were on a bike--the humid weather was keeping them slow. Just before getting to Cedar Rd., somewhere around the 2 mile mark, I caught Leo and John who were going at 8:40 pace. I ran ahead and used the port-a-john, then had to catch up again. After that I just plodded along w/them. Leo had promised to run John's pace. The clouds held off the heat so we ran in the upper 70's to low 80's F. I didn't expect it to be this slow but we were 53 minutes at the half-way point on Leo's watch. Peggy wasn't happy about having to wait when I got back. My left knee hurt a little after this.

From Rosedale Ave., the Two Mile Loop (Tilsbury St., Seaford Rd. Kentbury Dr., N. Chealsea La., Maryland Ave.). This started out as a level 3 effort but not feeling the soreness running that I did walking, I picked it up without trying hard.

From Rosedale Ave., Battery La. to Old Georgetown Rd. to Greentree Rd. to Bradley Blvd. to Seven Locks Rd. to Wooton Pkwy, to Darnestown Rd. (and a little more finding the next turn) to Piney Meeting House Rd. to Glen Rd./Democracy Blvd. to Kentsdale Dr. to Bradley Blvd. to Huntington Pkwy. to Battery La. to Rosedale Ave. This was a relatively nice rolling loop to the NW though not as nice as the roads around Greenbelt and Bowie. I had a good shoulder going up Seven Locks but sometimes had to breath fumes. I paced a truck pulling a trailer by catching it at lights all the way up to Rockville. Development is turning the nice roads going down to the river to something less nice. The time includes the wait at many lights and stops. It was 76 F upon finishing around 7:40pm.

Great Falls, MD. Starting from the Old Angler parking area, I did a Green course that I had done on 1/18/2004 plus a little more. My pace was slower today but last winter when I did it it was the second time the same day that I did those controls so I was familiar with them then. The first time last winter I had done the Blue course first which overlapped. The thicker woods today slowed me too. I again had the most difficulty in green areas and in going around them. Failing sunlight may have also had an effect. Physically, I felt better today but despite the cooler weather, I sweat up a storm. Peggy also didn't clear out enough spider webs from her run earlier in the day here.

From Rosedale Ave., Bethesda, MD to C St. SW, Washington, D.C. Humid but in the 70's F. Still tired and weak. Some good headwinds in W. Potomac Park.

From C St. SW, Washington, D.C. to Rosedale Ave., Bethesda, MD. I was feeling very lethargic during the day and wondering how I'd ride back home. I ate a heavier lunch than usual and fortunately felt better by the time to go home. The cooler weather after the rain and the sometimes tailwind helped. Steady but still slowish while trying to do more, I got passed by two guys on the trail and got in behind them. The second guy moved ahead dropped us. Surprised that I could pickup speed and hold it for once with the first, I traded a pull with him and somehow dropped him while going up the hill faster than I had been riding on the flats. It makes me wonder how much going slow is a habit, how much is physical shape and how much training technique. Riding this year has been drastically slower for me and I don't think I've been running well either. I also think I may not have been eating enough lately for recovery or something.

From Rosedale Ave. random roads through Bethesda, Kennsington, Garrett Park and North Bethesda. This is supposed to be my rest day. My legs were sore going into Saturday and have remained so. I just wanted to loosen up. The 82F weather was nice and I explored neighborhood roads where I'd never been before.

Warm-up at French Creek (East) State Park, PA. It was too hot and humid (upper 80's F during this) to need to warm-up but I still had to get to between the car and the start & other things.

DVOA at French Creek East, PA. Going up north in the morning with Dave Onkst and Eddie Bergeron we didn't get started until 11am when it was already hot. I saw rocks sweat. By the time we were done, it was in the mid 90's F with very high humidity and heat index warnings. Fortunately, there was plenty of drinking water on the course. I drank two cups at each of the 4 stops. I took my time knowing from the DVOA Long-O Champs two years back that missing a lot at French Creek on a hot day could be real bad. I walked into some controls when climbing and was extra cautious reading detail. I caught Dave Onkst and ran a few controls with him before getting ahead and then getting caught by Eddie B. A bad route choice near the end gave Wyatt enough time to finally catch and pass me near the end. Though I ran my own routes, encounters with all benefited me some. Upon finishing my shoes were heavy. Sweat pooled in them causing bubbles to come out through the mesh on top as I walked.

Blue - Splits