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SLR: 21 Miles - The Big Loop

Hello Saturday Long Runners!

We're back to our e-mails as usual, sorry for the technical issues the past couple of weeks! Tomorrow's weather looks absolutely lovely, with temperatures in the upper 30s and some sun (don't worry though, this is a well-shaded route). As a reminder, our last SLR cancellation for the Snowball Series will be next weekend for the Langley 8K. Love this model? Hate this model? Let me know, this year we're experimenting with cancelling SLR For Snowball Series, but that doesn't have to be permanent. Now let's get into it:

The Route: In terms of DC Running, The Big Loop (strava , gps , pdf) might be the most famous long run route of all time. It also happens to be one of my favorite routes in the area, but don't just take my word for it, Christie Wetzel , Coach Big Guy , and many others are also huge fans! We'll embark on a journey up Rock Creek Park, cross Maryland via Leland St (which does turn a few times as mentioned on the cue sheet, when in doubt follow signs for Leland!!), and finish all the way down the Capital Crescent Trail. Running this loop is a big accomplishment (pun intended) and no marathon training cycle is complete without it! I also always shorten this route to 20 miles and end at Baked & Wired(the best cupcakes in DC) for some cupcakes afterwards as a celebration in getting through a tough route.

Want Something Shorter? The Bethesda Metro Station around mile 13 is a great midway point to ensure you get all of the fun hills in this route for a few less miles on the back end! If you're looking for something other than a metro route or an out and back in Rock Creek Park, the wonderful Ross Ridge Loop is a great way to get 14 miles in, take in the sights of Rock Creek, and still have company for a good chunk of the route.

Need a Longer Route? For a couple extra miles, continuing down through Georgetown and across the Memorial Bridge instead of the Key Bridge will add a couple miles to an already long day! Honestly, though, 21 is generally long enough for what you're training for!

Thirsty? There are some great water options every 5-8 miles along this route, so bring a bottle but expect some nice filling points! My favorites are at mile 5.5 just before you get on Beach Drive, along the Capital Crescent around mile 15 before the little bridge near the water treatment center, and at Fletcher's Boathouse around mile 17.7 as a good last fill before finishing out strong! As these runs get longer, fueling becomes more and more important! Don't forget to bring a few gels tomorrow so you're still feeling strong on that long downhill!!

Need a Bathroom? Those also come roughly the same frequency as the water fountains! Mile 5.5 just before getting on Beach Drive has two different sets of bathrooms (pro tip: going up the hill by the community garden and Mill gets you private bathrooms instead of the multi-stall ones). There are additional bathrooms along Beach Drive in Rock Creek Park every 1-2 miles, keep your eyes out for them along the side of the road near the various picnic areas! There aren't a ton of great options along the Capital Crescent trail aside from Fletcher's Boathouse at mile 17.7, but there are a few gas stations along the way that make a good stop in a pinch!

Gar Williams, the inspiration for the Club's December half marathon and hall of fame member for DCRRC and RRCA passed away on January 15th 2024 in Flagstaff Arizona. He was instrumental to the club's history. His family recommends anyone who wishes to donate in his memory does so to the RRCA.

The next club race is the Langley 8K next Saturday, and SLR will be cancelled. We're also still in need of volunteers! Zensah has also donated gloves for the overall female and male top finishers. If my comparisons to the Club Challenge with the Hills wasn't enough, now you can also win gloves!

Happy Running!

Anna

SLR: 16 Miles Arlington Loop (Taylor's Version)

Hello Saturday Long Runners! 

Welcome to SLR, it’s been waiting for ya! Sorry about the email failing to go out last week (and for the different method this week). Our IT Team says there’s some bad blood with the mail server, but they’re mending all her gashes and will likely have it fixed by next week. The weather tomorrow looks so gorgeous, with temperatures in the mid-40s, and I hope the sun shines and it’s a beautiful day. …Are you ready for it?

The Route: If you didn’t guess by the last paragraph, this week we’re running the Arlington Loop (Taylor’s Version) (strava, pdf, gps) (the Taylor Swift portion of this route is, of course, entirely optional). For those who aren’t familiar, as part of her training for the Eras Tour, Taylor ran on the treadmill while singing her entire 3 hour set list. A group of us thought “huh that sounds like a normal Saturday long run for us” and decided to do just that this weekend. Join Bailey and I as we circumnavigate the Mount Vernon, Four Mile Run, W&OD, and Custis trails while belting our hearts out from Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince to Karma. We’ll be targeting a 9:00-9:30 pace and to only be slightly off key the entire time. For the more advanced swifties out there, you may be thinking “but Anna what about the surprise songs?!” I’ve setup this Google form for anyone who wants to submit two songs, we’ll go with the most popular and I won’t share them ahead of time so it’s truly a surprise (in the case of a tie, the tiebreaker will be either which songs I like better or which songs are a funnier combination, so get ready for This is Me Trying and Me!)!

Want Something Shorter? For around 14.5 miles, instead of coming back along Custis take the Bluemont Connector trail (which is a different bike trail about a mile before the turn for Custis). This will take you to Wilson Boulevard, which you can take into Court House and hop down to the park from there! Otherwise there are some options for more complex loops, but the least mentally taxing will definitely be an out and back. Turning around at the turn onto the Four Mile run will get you 10 miles and getting to the W&OD will run you 14.

Need a Longer Route? My personal favorite way to add onto the loop is to add an extra out and back along the W&OD before turning onto Custis, which allows you to get any number of extra miles. If you're in the mood to make it "real" Arlington Triangle you can continue down the Rosslyn Hill past Roosevelt Island and return by coming up the same way you go out by the cemetery for an 18 miler.

Thirsty? Thanks to perennial mid-run drinks volunteer at the corner of Custis and the W&OD Edgar Gil for supplying midrun drinks tomorrow! There should also be an assortment of water fountains on, most reliably the green fountains along Custis which are freeze-proof, year round, and lifesavers! Mari Diaz (Director for Community Outreach) has also been contacting with brands in the sports fueling and hydration industries to talk about potential partnerships with the club. Skratch sent us some samples and I’ll have them before the start of SLR tomorrow for folks who want to try them out on the run or at home afterwards! They have a Loyalty Lab Rewards Program for anyone who gets hooked, if you do give it a try and enjoy it, shout them out on Instagram @SkratchLabs!

Need a Bathroom? Like water fountains, there some good options! There are plenty of portopotties at Gravelly Point at mile 3, though their cleanliness is always questionable. There are also some great ones at mile 10.6 near bluemont park (the ones in the park are closed for the winter, but the ones just off the trail near the Wilson Bridge should be open).

The next club race is the Langley 8K on February 10th, which means SLR that weekend will not be held. Instead come out for a Party In the CIA (wait, wrong artist) or come volunteer. The Club Challenge 10 Miler is on Sunday February 25th and is hands down the most fun (and dare I say most challenging course) of the year! Signups for the bus and for the event itself are open, as a reminder you MUST be a club member to sign up.

Now all that’s left to do is run,

Anna