Hello Saturday Long Runners!
Along with the gorgeous fall weather we've been having during the week, we will also apparently have rain every Saturday (at least it sure feels that way). Luckily tomorrow shouldn't be too bad when we start out, but prepare to be damp by the end of the run. Rainy runs in Rock Creek Park are always a treat, though, so take in the scenery and appreciate that at least it isn't 80 and sunny! Now let's get into it:
The Route: Ross Drive (strava, gps, pdf) is such a crowd favorite that it's the only route we're doing twice in this cycle and was requested for this week by several people! Rock Creek Park in the fall is the best place in the city and if running there earlier this week was any indication we should have some great colors on the trees! We'll head up Rock Creek through the Zoo Loop (whose hours recently got cut for the winter :() then up Beach Drive before heading back down via Ross Drive and Ridge Road. As a reminder, Beach Drive is closed to vehicle traffic but Ross Drive and Ridge Road are not, stay alert in these areas especially in the rain!
Want Something Shorter? An out and back through Rock Creek Park is the easiest way to cut mileage off. If you're looking for a different route back, you can also come down to the waterfront instead of the trail when leaving Rock Creek Park (though that does add a little bit of mileage, so keep that in mind).
Need a Longer Route?I know a lot of folks were a little disappointed when the Big Loop fell on the same weekend as the DC Half, so part of the motivation for a run through Rock Creek was to give a second chance to get the Big Loop in before your Big Race Day! If you want to do this option, continue up Rock Creek Park before heading over to the CCT via Leland and coming back down for a total of 21! Another good option for adding on a little less mileage is to run a second loop of Beach-Ross-Ridge for a little over 3 miles extra.
Thirsty? Thanks to Kristine Gift for providing post run drinks this week! Other than those there aren't a ton of options for water, so be sure to bring some if you need it. The only really reliable stop is at Peirce Mill in Rock Creek around miles 5.3 and 9, and that fountain has been having some issues lately.
Need a Bathroom? Peirce Mill is also your best bet for those as well at miles 5.3 and 9! There aren't a lot of other options, so keep that in mind for tomorrow!
The next club race is the Alexandria Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day! Not only is this the best Turkey Trot in the Mid-Atlantic, but it is also the club's biggest race of the year. We need a ton of volunteers for packet pickup and race day, so please volunteer if you're able to! It is also time to renew your DCRR Membership, as those expire on November 30th! Your membership gets you access to hundreds of organized group runs and workouts a year, 22 free races, countless discounts at local running stores, and so much more for only $35 a year! Renew today!
Happy Running!
Anna
