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SLR: No SLR! Langley 8K

Hello Saturday Long Runners!

Welcome back to our last week of Snowball Series Races instead of our regularly scheduled SLR. Judging from feedback I've received, it's been a bit of a mixed bag ranging from "this was great we should do it every year" to "never again please". I'll bring it up at the next board meeting and keep you all updated as to what will happen next year for SLR/Snowball Series crossovers, but rest assured this will be the last time we cancel SLR this year. The weather for tomorrow's Langley 8K looks stellar, with temperatures in the upper 40s and wonderful indoor amenities courtesy of Langley High School, there's no reason not to come out! Now let's get into it:

The Route: It'll be a Party in the CIA tomorrow as we race the Langley 8K! If you think your neighborhood loop is hilly, just wait til you see what we have in store tomorrow. We'll start out on a bike path with a gentle downhill before heading into the neighborhood where we'll be treated to plenty of rolling hills. If your spring marathon has some elevation or you're planning to race the club challenge, this is the perfect tuneup race to test your legs against some elevation changes in a low-key environment.

Want Something Shorter? The 8K is the only option tomorrow, but if you're interested in volunteering instead there are plenty of spots along the course that will net you a shorter run if you jog there and back!

Need a longer route? I love to hit up Scott's Run Nature Preserve when I'm out in that direction for some extra miles. The park has an excellent trail system and a great opportunity to see the Potomac River from the other side of the canal!

Thirsty? There will be water and other goodies before and after the race. Last year I also distinctly remember a water stop around one of the hills (specific, I know) but I'm not fully confident there will be one this year.

Need a Bathroom? Langley High School has excellent facilities and plenty of restroom options inside (with plumbing! and fully stocked soap dispensers! a real treat!).

The next club race is THE club race, also known as the Club Challenge. Registration for this event closes on February 15th, so sign up today! We also have a bus from Court House and Dupont Circle, so if driving on the BW Parkway is holding you back, join 40 of your closest friends as we recount all our fantastic high school cross country memories. Award nominations are also open for club awards that will be presented at the banquet on March 10th. Nominate your training partners (or yourself) who had incredible years so we can recognize them appropriately! 

Happy Running!

SLR: 21 Miles - The Big Loop

Hello Saturday Long Runners!

We're back to our e-mails as usual, sorry for the technical issues the past couple of weeks! Tomorrow's weather looks absolutely lovely, with temperatures in the upper 30s and some sun (don't worry though, this is a well-shaded route). As a reminder, our last SLR cancellation for the Snowball Series will be next weekend for the Langley 8K. Love this model? Hate this model? Let me know, this year we're experimenting with cancelling SLR For Snowball Series, but that doesn't have to be permanent. Now let's get into it:

The Route: In terms of DC Running, The Big Loop (strava , gps , pdf) might be the most famous long run route of all time. It also happens to be one of my favorite routes in the area, but don't just take my word for it, Christie Wetzel , Coach Big Guy , and many others are also huge fans! We'll embark on a journey up Rock Creek Park, cross Maryland via Leland St (which does turn a few times as mentioned on the cue sheet, when in doubt follow signs for Leland!!), and finish all the way down the Capital Crescent Trail. Running this loop is a big accomplishment (pun intended) and no marathon training cycle is complete without it! I also always shorten this route to 20 miles and end at Baked & Wired(the best cupcakes in DC) for some cupcakes afterwards as a celebration in getting through a tough route.

Want Something Shorter? The Bethesda Metro Station around mile 13 is a great midway point to ensure you get all of the fun hills in this route for a few less miles on the back end! If you're looking for something other than a metro route or an out and back in Rock Creek Park, the wonderful Ross Ridge Loop is a great way to get 14 miles in, take in the sights of Rock Creek, and still have company for a good chunk of the route.

Need a Longer Route? For a couple extra miles, continuing down through Georgetown and across the Memorial Bridge instead of the Key Bridge will add a couple miles to an already long day! Honestly, though, 21 is generally long enough for what you're training for!

Thirsty? There are some great water options every 5-8 miles along this route, so bring a bottle but expect some nice filling points! My favorites are at mile 5.5 just before you get on Beach Drive, along the Capital Crescent around mile 15 before the little bridge near the water treatment center, and at Fletcher's Boathouse around mile 17.7 as a good last fill before finishing out strong! As these runs get longer, fueling becomes more and more important! Don't forget to bring a few gels tomorrow so you're still feeling strong on that long downhill!!

Need a Bathroom? Those also come roughly the same frequency as the water fountains! Mile 5.5 just before getting on Beach Drive has two different sets of bathrooms (pro tip: going up the hill by the community garden and Mill gets you private bathrooms instead of the multi-stall ones). There are additional bathrooms along Beach Drive in Rock Creek Park every 1-2 miles, keep your eyes out for them along the side of the road near the various picnic areas! There aren't a ton of great options along the Capital Crescent trail aside from Fletcher's Boathouse at mile 17.7, but there are a few gas stations along the way that make a good stop in a pinch!

Gar Williams, the inspiration for the Club's December half marathon and hall of fame member for DCRRC and RRCA passed away on January 15th 2024 in Flagstaff Arizona. He was instrumental to the club's history. His family recommends anyone who wishes to donate in his memory does so to the RRCA.

The next club race is the Langley 8K next Saturday, and SLR will be cancelled. We're also still in need of volunteers! Zensah has also donated gloves for the overall female and male top finishers. If my comparisons to the Club Challenge with the Hills wasn't enough, now you can also win gloves!

Happy Running!

Anna