Hello Saturday Long Runners!
Olympic Track and Field is off with a bang and the weather in DC is heating up faster than the competition in Paris. As such, SLR will be starting at 6 AM tomorrow! The heat looks absolutely brutal, please stay hydrated, bring water, and look out for yourself and those around you. Turning around early, taking the metro or an uber back, or planning to run less mileage tomorrow won't kill your fall marathon plans. Stay safe and let's get into it:
The Route: This week we'll be doing a classic out and back on the Capital Crescent trail (strava , gps , pdf), which if you read the cue sheets closely you'll notice has been part of our repertoire since back when the Capital Crescent wasn't even fully paved. If you've been paying attention to the route choices here at SLR HQ, I'm not really a big out-and-back person, but this is always my exception (because it's all uphill on the way out and mentally that makes this a loop). The recommended mileage for the week is 16, which puts our turnaround at the water fountain in Bethesda, or really just when your watch says 8 miles (whichever comes first).
Want Something Shorter? Out and backs are perfect for that! The half mile marks on the trail roughly correspond to mile marks, so for 12 miles turn at 5.5MM, 10 turn at 6.5 MM, and so on.
Need a Longer Route? Take these old train tracks up to Bethesda for any number of extra miles. Like shortening the route, for longer just go a mile marker further for every two miles you'd like to add (so 2.5MM for 18 and so on).
Thirsty? Thanks to Zelalem Wollie for post-run drinks this week! We're still looking for mid-run drinks volunteers during all of our SLRs, if anyone is available. Mid run drinks are the best way to beat the heat and the club will reimburse you for all expenditures! There is also a water fountain at Fletcher's Boathouse at mile 3.5 and another couple along the CCT depending on how far you go out.
Need a Bathroom? Fletcher's is your best bet for bathrooms around mile 3.5. Otherwise there are some gas stations just off the CCT that may work out, but not a lot of other public options.
Need a Wardrobe Refresh? DCRR just unveiled their new logos after a ton of work from Mari and Steve (and the rest of the board)! We've got the New Balance Store open for red (and new white!!) singlets, shirts, and shorts until August 4th (that's this Sunday)! Get yours today before time runs out and have them ready to race in for your fall races!!
The Bunion Derby race is the Paul Thurston 4.5 Miler around Burke Lake on August 13th! Jerry still needs plenty of volunteers to help out, get your Bunion Derby credit out of the way and enjoy the trails!
Happy Running!
Anna
