Hello Saturday Runners!
The route this week will be everyone's favorite Big Loop (additional map here), covering 23 miles to give you your longest run of the marathon prep season. To cut it shorter, I'd recommend an out & back run on the Capital Crescent Trail going as far as you'd like. All of the reports we've gotten recently are that the Beach Drive closures do not (yet at least) impact running in Rock Creek Park, so the route will go on this week as planned. Saturday morning is looking like it might have some hurricane-leftovers rain, so be prepared! If you're running Chicago, Steamtown, Twin Cities, or any other races this weekend instead of SLR, good luck and have fun! Unfortunately I won't be able to make it to this week's run, but Coach Kathy will start things off for you on Saturday morning (at 8:00 am).
Thank you Rachel Grocock for post-run drinks, and Shelley Morris for mid-run drinks! This week's mid-run drinks will be located at the Rock Creek trailhead just before you get onto Beach Drive, at about 12.5 miles into the route. If you're not running far enough to make it to the mid-run drinks, there are water fountains on the Capital Crescent Trail (roughly 3, 5, and 8 miles from our start point) that you can use in both directions during an out & back run. This week will be our last one with organized mid-run drinks until next summer, so starting next week you'll need to plan for carrying extra fluids if necessary.
We have post-run drinks covered for the next two weeks, but starting at the end of October we will need a few more volunteers to help bridge the gap until the next marathon training program (targeting Rock & Roll DC) gets going. Up-to-date volunteer needs and a route schedule are always posted on our web page, and you can email me any time to schedule your slot. Post-run drinks are entirely volunteer supported, so if you regularly enjoy this SLR perk, please do your part to keep it going! Volunteering is easy, doesn't take a lot of time, and all restocking expenses will be reimbursed by the club.
Happy running!
Mike
