Hello Saturday Long Runners!
Sorry for the last minute change in routes, we were originally slated to do Potomac Overlook Loops this week, but we’re switching it up due to the weather (if you’ve run there in the rain you know what I mean). Rest assured we’ll get to it in a few weeks in honor of our departing president Ben! In the meantime we’ll enjoy a spin around National Landing (does anyone call it that yet?)! Now let’s get into it:
The Route: This week we'll be doing the classic Pentagon Army Navy route (strava, gps, pdf), which will take us around National Landing (which is really just Pentagon City/Crystal City) via Army Navy Drive before coming back along the Four Mile Run and Mount Vernon Trails, where we will be treated to some lovely tulips at Lady Bird Johnson Park! Don't forget to cross at South Meade Street when crossing Glebe Road, that's a bit of a tricky intersection and safety is always the priority!
Want Something Shorter? For a little over 11 come back through the Cemetery instead of going all the way up to Rosslyn (this also saves you from my least favorite hill by Roosevelt Island). If you want an even shorter run, come up South Eads Street off of the Four Mile Run and take the 27 Trail back for around 10.5 miles! There are also metro stations in Pentagon City and Crystal City that can get you back easily, consider the turn into Crystal City off of the Mount Vernon Trail as your point of no return (as in you're committed to running at least 4 more miles back to the park).
Need a Longer Route? An out and back on the Mount Vernon or Four Mile Run trails can get you some more mileage without too much mental energy. Otherwise heading into the city over any of the bridges can add about 1-2 miles (depending on which bridges) and save you from what will likely be a headwind on the Mount Vernon Trail. Going into the city also lets you see some of our remaining Kwanzan cherry trees and a LOT of tulips!
Thirsty? There's a water fountain along the Mount Vernon Trail just past the metro bridge right before mile 7 and one up near Roosevelt Island at mile 11, but I doubt either will be turned on tomorrow morning. Does that lack of functioning fountains infuriate you? The Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail, a nonprofit organization who supports trail maintenance and upkeep along our lovely MVT is soliciting donations in support of replacing water fountains along the trail to freeze-proof, year-round fountains with bottle filler stations! They have current funding for eight replacement fountains along the entire stretch of trail (including the ones at Roosevelt Island), but there is room in the contract for three more fountains if they can secure funding (including some at LBJ Park).
Need a Bathroom? There are portopotties at Gravelly Point at Mile 8 if you really need them in addition to the ones at Roosevelt Island at Mile 11. Both of these are of questionable cleanliness, but better than the alternative.
We’ve got a happy hour in partnership with Capital Area Foodbank on April 24th at Carpool in Ballston! Come out and donate if you can!
Happy Running!
Anna
