RCP Western Ridge Trail

Time: 86:00
Distance: 12.5 mi.


Pierce Mill, where Tilden crosses Rock Creek Park

Very nice afternoon distance run with Jon Rosen, who just moved to DC. I met him at his place in Adams Morgan (exactly one mile into the run) and we ran north in Rock Creek Park so I could show him some of the trails up there. We went up the Western Ridge Trail and then came back through the middle trail to give him 10+ miles and me 12+. It was great to have company today to take my mind off the miles and the cold.

Rock Creek Park

Time: 57:37
Distance: 7.5 mi.

After driving down to Washington, DC last night I ran with Jordan and Aja who I picked up at the airport this afternoon. We ran from Colin's over to Rock Creek Park and did a loop up the Western Ridge trail and back through the middle of the park. Hamstring was tight, but running slow kept it from getting sore.

Rock Creek Park: Western Ridge Trail

Time: 80:00
Distance: 12 mi.

Easy Sunday morning run in Rock Creek Park from Pierce Mill. Very nice to get back on the trails there and catch up with Steve. He seems excited about the upcoming season, something I very much miss. We were shooting for about 70 minutes--I wasn't game for a long run in this weather after staying up a bit late the last few nights--but I messed up the loop a bit. I've got some decent soreness, particularly in my calves, from last night, and I only imagine it is going to get worse.

Goodbye Rock Creek Park

Time: 73:30
Distance: 11 mi.


The side of the Pierce Mill barn

Met up with Ben Peisch at the Klingle bridge for my last run in DC. A nice cool morning run, headed up the Western Ridge Trail for a bit then back down the middle trail. About 70 runs since I got here, and over 800 miles.

RCP Western Ridge Trail

Time: 81:39
Distance: 12 mi.

"We are speaking of human endeavor and delusional systems. Everyone likes to think they have their own little corner, it can be anything; needlepoint, lawn bowling, whatever. Some guy may gratify himself by thinking he's the best goddamned fruit and vegetable manager the A&P every had, which is fine. It gives people a sense of worth in a crowded world where everyone feels like part of the scenery. But then mostly they are spared of any harrowing glimpses into their own mediocrity, Pillsbury Bake-Off notwithstanding, we'll never really know who makes the best artichoke souffle in the world, will we?" - Quentin Cassidy

More of the miles of trials in Rock Creek Park. Inside of left ankle got pretty sore very quickly in the run. Stopped to stretch and work it out a little bit at about 15 mins and at the turnaround at 42 mins. Tightness and soreness extends up into the inside of my left calf. This is almost certainly the result of switching almost exclusively to the Tangents, which have a very low heel.

The summer seems to be rapidly coming to a close... less than a week remaining in DC.

RCP Middle and Western Trails

Time: 60:00
Distance: 9 mi.

Evening run. Nice hour loop to get some miles in... feeling nice and looser than the usual morning jaunt.

RCP Western Ridge Trail

Time: 46:30
Distance: 6 mi.

Nice and easy morning 6 miler out and back on the Western Ridge Trail with Jilane. Happy to keep the pace chill and get a morning shakeout.

RCP Superloop

Time: 95:00
Distance: 14 mi.
Map

Big day... the return of the mid-week medium-long run, the completion of the RCP Superloop, and new shoes (though for the record "buying shoes" for "full price" sucks).

RCP Superloop: connects the Western Ridge Trail and the Valley Trail making for 12 miles of trails on a 14 mile run. Most of it is pretty good except the southern section of the Valley Trail which is very technical (thus slow and prone to ankle-turning). The map provides a good idea of approximately where the trail goes, but is easily almost 2 miles short because of how much it oversimplifies.


Nike Air Max Moto+ 5

New Shoes: couldn't wait any longer, so I picked up a new pair of trainers at Fleet Feet in DC (owned by Mayor Fenty's family, incidentally). They didn't have a great selection, including no Elites, so I went with the Air Max Moto+ 5. They seem pretty good so far, but the cushioning is a little bit sloppy... I guess I'm used to a bit of a stiffer shoe. The upper fits very well, though.

Legs feel a little bit better, but it'll be a few days before they've really recovered from the dead shoes, I'm sure.

RCP Beach Drive, Western Ridge Trail

Time: 84:45
Distance: 12.5 mi.

Great AM run... decided to head back out on Beach Dr. to get some better rhythm and see a different perspective of RCP. Took it all the way right to the border of Maryland, which is where the Valley and Western Ridge trails meet... was at that point at 43 min (map of that section). Ran into Aunt Susan right after I turned onto the trail, which was pretty unexpected/random. Cruised back on the trail... which was surprisingly short. From the turn point it is about 55? mins home on the Valley Trail, and 43ish on both Beach Dr. and Western Ridge.

Legs still dead.

RCP Western Ridge and Valley Trails

Time: 84:10
Distance: 12.5 mi.

Feeling quite a bit better this morning. Met Ben at the Klingle Bridge and headed north on the Western Ridge Trail. Crossed over the river to the Valley Trail to come back south. Could be a very nice loop if this was done a little bit higher up, though it includes the roughest section of the valley trail. Added on a bit at the end of the run up New Hampshire.

Lower legs are pretty dead from these shoes, which now have over 500 miles on them. Hopefully getting something new soon!

RCP North, Western Ridge Trail

Time: 80:00
Distance: 11.5 mi.

Cathartic run after a long day at work. Met up with Ben Peisch on the Klingle bridge and headed north on some trails... ran into the Western Ridge Trail and took that back down south to the bridge. Feeling pretty good overall, beyond being tired.

RCP Western Ridge Trail

Time: 90:00
Distance: 13.5 mi.

Headed back out to the Western Ridge Trail for another long-ish run. Beautiful morning and the trail is so nice that I just wanted to keep running. Went out 47 min with a few detours and then headed back at a pretty decent pace for the trails. Had to add on about a minute once I got back. I really like this section of trail. Spent the rest of the day helping Seth move and with no power. Awesome.

RCP Western Ridge Trail

Time: 82:30
Distance: 12 mi.

Very beginning of the Western Ridge trail just past Pierce Mill

Finally getting to know the main trails rather than just looping around in RCP. Headed north on the Western Ridge Trail which winds up the west side of the park. Went out 45 minutes because I was exploring around a bit trying to figure out exactly where the trail went (and was having some mild stomach issues). Legs are feeling better, but calves are still sore. Trying to remember to keep the runs very easy.