Hello Saturday Long Runners!!
I hope everyone had a great week despite the hazerdous AQI levels we've been seeing the past few days. I'll be continuing to monitor the AQI throughout the day today and will send an update tonight or early tomorrow morning if anything changes. For now, however, SLR is on but please please please be careful out there and make the call that is right for you. Missing a run here and there is not the end of the world, but the negative health impacts from running in dangerous air qualities can be a major issue. Play it safe tomorrow and if you stop if you have any difficulty breathing or other symptoms. With that being said, let's get into it:
The Route: Have you ever been driving on the major streets of Arlington and looked to the side of the road to see a bike trail and thought "huh maybe I should run there sometime"? Well this route (which I shamelessly stole from Brian Danza's strava three years ago) will take you there! The Cemetery Loop (strava, pdf, gpx) circumnavigates Arlington National Cemetery, which is home to countless famous gravesites from presidents to supreme court justices to the inventor of baseball. We'll get a chance to run on the Mount Vernon, Arlington Boulevard, and Washington Boulevard trails, as well as by the Air Force Memorial. There is a significant amount of construction currently by the Air Force Memorial, but the route accounts for this and the sidewalks are mostly untouched. Use caution in that area and always yield to oncoming traffic.
Want Something Shorter? For about 7 miles, turn off the Mount Vernon Trail onto the 27 Trail and go directly to the Pentagon, then continue the route as normal for an abbreviated cemetery loop. If you want to avoid the hills, an out and back on the Mount Vernon trail is an easy way to get any number of miles in.
Need a Longer Route? The Mount Vernon Trail makes adding on additional miles easy, just add an extra out and back after getting to Crystal City. If you're feeling adventerous and need a lot more miles, taking a left instead of a right on the Arlington Boulevard trail will eventually lead you down to the W&OD near Bluemont park. This makes for a great loop returning on Custis for about 17 miles (and may make for a great actual SLR route one of these days).
Thirsty? There's a water fountain in Virginia Highlands Park on South Hayes Street in Crystal City that has saved me during many a run. Otherwise bring water, as the options on this route are minimal and that's the only sure one I know of. Thanks to Carolyn once again this week for post-run drinks! Shoot me an email if you want to volunteer!
Need a Bathroom? Virginia Highlands Park is also equipped with bathrooms near the drinking fountain! Additional ones can be found in the Target at the corner of Army Navy Drive in a pinch.
Want to Party? The Mattas are moving! Miguel Cuya and Abbey got engaged! Two good reasons for a long overdue get together. Stop by after SLR or whatever you're doing Saturday morning for a casual brunch hosted by Deborah Margraff. She'll have coffee, tea, and some baked goods, but feel free to bring anything else. It will be hosted in the Party Room at the Williamsburg Condo from 9AM to Noon after SLR (1276 Wayne St Arlington, Enter #522 in the lobby directory to be buzzed in). Family members and kids are welcome to attend. The building gym is also available for showers or to freshen up. If you have questions e-mail Deborah at deborah@dcroadrunners.org or text her at 703-628-8153.
The next club race is the Hugh Jascourt 4 Miler, named for club founder Hugh Jascourt (Washington Post Article on some of his many achievements in the running world from shortly after his death in 2005). It's a fun race every year and if you don't want to race it, please consider volunteering! The book club also meets on Sunday June 25th to discuss "For the Glory: The Untold and Inspiring Story of Eric Liddell, Hero of Chariots of Fire" by Duncan Hamilton, if you haven't started reading it now's your time!
Happy Running!
Anna
