Map My Run: Saturday's Test

I normally reserve my Saturday mornings for longer runs. For the past three weeks I've resisted the call to go out on Friday nights in order to get a good night's sleep before pounding the pavement early on Saturday morning. So far my plan has been successful...I've gotten plenty of sleep on Friday night, run long on Saturday morning, rested all Saturday afternoon, then indulged a little (sometimes more) on Saturday nights. I've always found a certain comfort in routine when it comes to exercise, and I'm pleased with the results I've seen thus far.

This week I decided to cross the bridge and run along the Mt. Vernon trail in Virginia. The route takes you along the Potomac River, and the terrain is generally flat. By the time you reach the five mile mark you're alongside Washington National Airport, and the view is spectacular. On this particular morning, the planes were taking off in my direction, so I was able to see about five large jets come right off the runway towards me.

The weather was the biggest obstacle to overcome this morning. DC received a lot of rain on Friday, beginning in the afternoon, and the skies looked threatening this morning while I stretched out in the parking lot. My fleeting hope of finding a two hour window where the rain wouldn't affect me were dashed before I finished my first two miles. The rain started as a mist, progressed to a drizzle, then evolved in to a full-scale downpour throughout the duration of my run. The heavy rain made my clothes feel like a suit of armor...not fun.

Despite the periods of rain the overall quality of the run was above average. My original goal was to reach Oronoco City Park in Arlington, but the signs at Oronoco Bay didn't say Oronoco Park; instead, they were labeled "Tide Lock Park." Well, at least the ones I saw were labeled that way. Anyhow, even though I had technically reached Oronoco Park, I was hell-bent on finding a sign that said Oronoco Park before turning around. Who knows, maybe it was the connection between the park name and one of Enya's best known songs that inspired me to reach the sign. (Warning! Click on the link at your own risk: getting that song out of your head is NOT easy.)

Once I reached Waterfront Park I checked the park map to find out where the hell I was. Fatigue was setting in, and I knew I had to turn around soon. A quick glance at the map was a mixed blessing--although I had exceeded my original turn-around goal by over a half mile my brain was telling me the return trip would prove more difficult than anticipated. Whatever brain, I thought, what's one more mile?

Thankfully, the running gods were kind to me today because the return trip was relatively smooth. In fact, up until the final two miles or so (around the Lincoln Memorial), I felt great. I suspect my fatigue was due more to not eating or drinking anything during the run than it was to my exceeding my original distance goal. Apparently I've stumbled across the energy ceiling one can expect to derive from two slices of banana bread, a bagel with cream cheese, and one GU lemon sublime gel. How's THAT for science?

The final stat line: a little over 19 miles in about 2 hours, 15 minutes, in crappy weather. I'm exhausted, but pleased. I'd like to come in a little faster, but I have time to develop my speed. Now, if you will excuse me, I am going to indulge a little...after a nap, of course.