Hello Saturday Long Runners!
Fall is steadily approaching, but it seems like we've got a warmer SLR on deck for tomorrow morning with temperatures in the mid-60s and a little sticky (as it has been for the past few days this week). We've got some hills in store and a bit of a shorter route, though, so it should still be a good time! Also a hearty good luck to all our SLR regulars racing the DC Half this weekend! Now let's get into it:
The Route: What's that? You want more hills?? Well you're in luck because this week we're running none other than the infamous Iron Triangle (strava , gps , pdf)! This route is an all-time SLR legend for its 1200ish feet of elevation gain over the course of 15 miles that will take us up Military Road, down to Falls Church, and then back to Rosslyn along the W&OD and Custis Trails. I feel like every SLR route has a couple opportunities to get lost, but I always like to highlight this one as there are a few turns throughout it and it's an area we don't run in too often. I'll have maps out tomorrow morning, but make sure to review them ahead of time, especially if it's your first time running this loop!
Want Something Shorter? For a few less hills and a few less miles, the Chain Bridge Loop 10 miler is one of my all-time favorite loops. It'll allow you to be with the group for almost five miles before heading back in a much flatter way than how you came out. There are also excellent metro stops at mile 9 (East Falls Church) and 12 (Ballston-MU) where for a mere $2.25 you can be back to Rosslyn in a jiffy!
Need a Longer Route? The W&OD is a fabulous trail to add anywhere from 1 to 80 miles to your weekend long run! Running east on the W&OD can also lend itself to what I've dubbed the Iron Arlington Triangle if anyone needs 20 this weekend and wants a challenge!
Thirsty? We don't have any volunteers for post-run drinks this week (or next week, or the week after that or the week after that) so I will now start my yearly begging of "summer isn't quite over yet help out and volunteer for drinks"! Other water fountains can be found at mile 3.5 in Zachary Taylor Park just off Military, at Fort Ethan Allen Park around mile 5, the Custis and W&OD interchange at mile 10, and along Custis at mile 12.
Need A Bathroom? Ethan Allen Park also has bathrooms around mile 5 and there are some others if you keep going down the W&OD after Custis for an extra mile and some indoor plumbing. Otherwise there is always a house or two along this route that has some contruction going on and a portopotty in the yard, so keep your eyes peeled!
The final race of the Bunion Derby series is this Sunday at 9 AM for the Bastille Day Four Miler! Nate's got plenty of volunteers (thanks to everyone who is helping out), but signups are still open! DCRR has also been invited to Run fest at REI Tyson’s on Saturday September 21. The focus of the day will be mini-sessions on various aspects of running. There will also be demos and sampling. Each session will run about 45 – 60 minutes, starting at 10:30 am. Registration Details are here. They will also provide us with a table to host a meet-and-greet with potential club members. If you would like to volunteer at the DCRR table reach out to Mari, our wonderful director for community outreach! And last (and potentially most importantly): Singlets are here! If you ordered club apparel and had it delivered to Steve, he'll be at SLR tomorrow morning before the start to hand out apparel orders (we'll also have them at Bastille Day on Sunday)!
Happy Running!
Anna
