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No SLR: Ice and Snow

Hello Saturday Long Runners!

Welp, I've tried to find a way from North Meade Park to a plowed area and haven't been successful. As such SLR tomorrow 1/31 is cancelled along with all training program runs.

"But Anna I still want to run?!"

Of course you do and you're going to do it regardless of what I say, so here are some good options for longer stretches of plowed areas in the DC Region:

1. Treadmills - It's going to be 9* tomorrow morning, running inside will save you from wind chafing (ask me how I know what that is...). Yes it's boring, but Bridgerton Season 4 just released so you've got something to pass the time with (okay actually, probably don't watch that in a public gym).

Okay okay you insist on going outside I get it. Please stay safe, bundle up, and be mindful of ice!

1. W&OD in Arlington - From roughly Columbia Pike to East Falls Church the trail is plowed to 1-1.5 lanes. The parking lot at Bluemont Park has been mostly dug out and is a good option. Custis is partially plowed from around Ballston to the W&OD, though the connector trails are not plowed, so you may have to trudge through a snowbank or two to get there. Custis is not completely plowed down to Rosslyn! Bluemont Trail is partially plowed, but it is not plowed between Florida St and the W&OD, so if you try getting down that direction from Ballston you will be met with disappointment.

2. Capital Crescent Trail in Maryland - The Maryland portion of the CCT has one lane plowed from roughly Bethesda down to Brookmont. Be careful when passing others!

3. Whitehust Freeway - Yes, it doesn't snow under whitehurst freeway, no I wouldn't really recommend doing a long run there, but worse running sins have been committed (Hains Point).

4. The Mall - Large parts of the Mall sidewalks are plowed, but it's difficult to get there. Many other DC sidewalks are not plowed, be careful if you're going this route in the morning.

Thank you so much to everyone who posted on Strava recapping what is and isn't plowed. Help your fellow runner out, let them know which parts of the trails were runnable if you do venture outside!

Have a safe and warm run no matter where you are tomorrow!

Anna

SLR: 12 Miles Pentagon Army-Navy

Happy Friday, SLR crew:

I'm sure we all know by now of the impending winter storm. We will avoid the snow, but the forecast in the morning is the low teens with windchill near and below zero.

Put briefly:

This weather is dangerous. There is a clear risk of frostbite.

I am still going to be there tomorrow, because both the historical bar for canceling SLR is very high, and because I know some of you sickos are going to be out there regardless.

The route is Pentagon Army-Navy (strava, gps, pdf).

So, here are my main tips for surviving:

• Cover everything. And I mean everything. If you are running longer than 45-60 minutes, any exposed skin is at risk of frostbite and let me tell you it sucks.
• I strongly recommend carrying your phone and a metro card in case you need to bail out. Pentagon City, Crystal City, and Potomac Yard are all along the route. I would take a mental note of where they are.
• There is going to be a hard freeze overnight. If it looks like ice, it's ice. If you can't avoid it, penguin walk over it.
• Bridges are more likely to be frozen. Take particular care on the overpasses of the exit ramps to National.
• There is no shame in running on the treadmill and enjoying your soccer game of choice.

Stay safe.

-Nate