Tag: mlfitness

I had 10 miles scheduled for this weekend. I planned to do them yesterday because I’m NYC bound for a bachelorette today (posting from the bus).

Timing was a concern despite taking the day off because I wanted to sleep in after a week of extra early mornings and I had an oil change scheduled. Plus I needed to pick T up at the airport at 4:15.

Of course car takes longer than I hoped AND T was able to get on an earlier flight getting in at 2:45.

Between getting the car, parking near the trail (which thankfully close to the airport), sunscreen etc. it’s 1pm (remember that detail).

Before T boards I tell him I’m headed out run should take ~2:15 and I’m running without my phone, so just hang tight and I will call you when I’m done. Shouldn’t keep you waiting too long.

So I finally get to running, carrying my 1L water bottle, but probably should have prehydrated more than I did that morning.

First 4 miles are great. It’s hot, but I’m feeling good with a great pace. However I notice I’m burning through water a bit faster than I should but think I can pace myself – esp since I have a Vitamin water zero waiting for me in the car.

My run was an out and back plan. 5 out, 5 back. At mile 4.11 I see a sign for Roosevelt Island (park) with signs for a bathroom and water fountain.

I debate do I want to go essentially .22 miles out of the way for water refill when I’m short on time. I decide nah I’ll conserve and be okay.

Get to my halfway point and see I’m 3-4 min faster than I was anticipating, So I’m like I have time for water. I commit to going to get water and decide HEY let’s drink a ton from my bottle since I’m going to refill which I knew was a risk, but I was thirsty and not thinking straight.

So go to this park I’ve never been and the fountains aren’t at the entrance, but there’s a map with the fountains labeled. So I walk in the park aka trail as to not roll an ankle. Can’t find the fountain. End up going .35 mile and still can’t find the fountain. Turn around and look at the map. Try for another fountain.

Now I’m really low on water, late, and stressed.
Can’t find any fountains, turn back. After basically adding another mile on foot. Slow my pace dramatically and now know I’m going to be very late and very dehydrated. Cursing the mount Vernon trail and their lack of fountains headed toward DC (I haven’t been on this part of the trail in a long while, forgot about its water shortage and shade shortage).

Mile ~8 I see another sign for a fountain in a park I’ve never been too, but I have no water and need to at least check it out. Go another .2 out of my water and find restrooms!! So I get water from the tap. Fill my bottle but wary to up my pace because I’m dehydrated.

I’m mentally tough regardless, but still stressed because I know I’m going to be so late that T is going to worry. Ended up turning my 10 miles into 11.25 miles. I didn’t get to my car/phone until 3:45pm.

My first 5 miles were 57 min, my last 6.25 were almost double that. T was really worried and he waited at the airport for like 1.5 hours (of course his flight got in earlier on top of everything), but he was happy I was okay
Knowing I was going to worry him was by far the worst part.

First time in a looooooong time that I’ve been on a nearly 3 hour training run. I’ll chalk that up to endurance training. I came SO close to begging bikers for water (not that there were many out because it was a work day and also pretty hot).

Rookie mistakes left and right on my part. I’ll have to upload my paces on here. 12:30min/mi or less the first 5 then a few 18min/mi but kept others to ~16min/mi. Still wound up with a ~15min/mi average pace all things considered.

PS – shout out to wickedwayneeyes who let me text her this while story which I then converted via copy and paste into this post!

I have lived in Alexandria, VA for 3.5 years and have been LUCKY to be within 2 miles of the Mount Vernon Trail. 

However after running hundreds of miles on the same paths/trails they get “old.” After basically taking off the winter/spring from running I’m finding my old stomping grounds seem new again. 

I made it out to my trusty Mount Vernon Trail on Saturday for the first time in a LOOOOONG time and ran my 9 miler towards Mount Vernon. Yesterday I headed back out to the same starting spot (under the Wilson Bridge/Jones Point Park) and ran my 5 miler towards DC. It was like catching up with an old friend. So much has changed and so much is the same, but it was comforting nonetheless. 

I plan to tackle a different portion of Mount Vernon Trail tomorrow for my 10 miler. 

Today was a hot one with my running group.
3.1 miles averaging a 13 min pace.

Bonus: I saw 3 deer make their way down a steep hill and cross a stream whilst on my run!