Hello Saturday Long Runners!
Happy June! As is tradition on the first weekend in June, the Armed Forces Cycling Classic is this Saturday morning from 7AM to 10AM, which means there are a couple of road closures to keep in mind if you're travelling from the southeast. Namely, route 110 will be closed between Crystal City and Wilson Boulevard, so plan accordingly to make it to the park at North Meade Street. The weather looks decent, with lows in the mid-60s and the smokey skies from the last few days should clear up. Now let's get into it:
The Route: This week we'll be running Battery Kemble Park (strava, milimeter, pdf, gps), a 15.7 mile route up the Capital Crescent Trail (CCT), then up one very steep hill, and through Battery Kemble, a historic Civil War defense of Washington. Battery Kemble park has had problems in the past with some off leash dogs, so be careful while on the trail in the park. Otherwise, the footing is good and there is less than a mile of actual trails if those make your ankles nervous!
Want Something Shorter? There are tons of ways to shorten this route to any number of distances while still getting to enjoy the park, canal, and CCT. For about 14 miles, instead of taking the small out and back to the water fountain on the CCT, go straight up to the park and back. If you want event less, for around 12.5 miles take a left on Potomac Ave instead of a right when coming back from Battery Kemble. At the end of the street there is a small (and very steep) trail that will take you down to the bridge on the CCT (thanks Mark for showing me this trick!). 12.5 still too much? Instead of taking a right at the bottom of the park on McArthur Boulevard take a left and run straight down McArthur back to the Key Bridge and cross for 11 miles! Both the 12.5 and 11 mile options skip the out and back on the CCT like the 14 mile option.
Need a Longer Route? For a longer route and more hills, do any number of loops of Battery Kemble park. Each loop will add on an extra 1.3 miles to your run and about 174 feet of climbing. If you want a slightly flatter addition, the CCT and canal run for miles and adding an extra out and back on either is a breeze.
Thirsty? There is a water fountain at mile 3.3 and 12.4 at Fletcher's Cove Boathouse. Go down the stairs towards the snack shack and the river and the fountain will be on your left. There is also a water fountain at the turnaround on the CCT at miles 5 and 10.7. Carolyn is also bringing post-run drinks this week (and for the next few)! Thanks Carolyn! We always need more volunteers in the summer, so shoot me an email if you're able to help out!
Need a Bathroom? The bathrooms at Fletchers Cove at mile 3.3 and 12.4 are not only open, but have also been recently updated (read: the men's bathroom works now)! Otherwise there is usually a portopotty in a yard or two up in the Palisades neighborhood.
SLR this week provides the perfect pre-race shakeout for the Women's Distance Festival 5K and Run After the Women! This is one of my favorite races of the year and a great way to kick off the Bunion Derby series. If you can't race, please consider volunteering. We are desperately in need of volunteers for this event to help it run smoothly. As an added bonus if you are going to the race, the Bon Air Park rose garden is in full bloom and provides the perfect warmup route! The book club is also meeting on June 25th to discuss "For the Glory: The Untold and Inspiring Story of Eric Liddell, Hero of Chariots of Fire".
Happy Running!
Anna
