Hello Saturday Long Runners!
Welp, I've tried to find a way from North Meade Park to a plowed area and haven't been successful. As such SLR tomorrow 1/31 is cancelled along with all training program runs.
"But Anna I still want to run?!"
Of course you do and you're going to do it regardless of what I say, so here are some good options for longer stretches of plowed areas in the DC Region:
1. Treadmills - It's going to be 9* tomorrow morning, running inside will save you from wind chafing (ask me how I know what that is...). Yes it's boring, but Bridgerton Season 4 just released so you've got something to pass the time with (okay actually, probably don't watch that in a public gym).
Okay okay you insist on going outside I get it. Please stay safe, bundle up, and be mindful of ice!
1. W&OD in Arlington - From roughly Columbia Pike to East Falls Church the trail is plowed to 1-1.5 lanes. The parking lot at Bluemont Park has been mostly dug out and is a good option. Custis is partially plowed from around Ballston to the W&OD, though the connector trails are not plowed, so you may have to trudge through a snowbank or two to get there. Custis is not completely plowed down to Rosslyn! Bluemont Trail is partially plowed, but it is not plowed between Florida St and the W&OD, so if you try getting down that direction from Ballston you will be met with disappointment.
2. Capital Crescent Trail in Maryland - The Maryland portion of the CCT has one lane plowed from roughly Bethesda down to Brookmont. Be careful when passing others!
3. Whitehust Freeway - Yes, it doesn't snow under whitehurst freeway, no I wouldn't really recommend doing a long run there, but worse running sins have been committed (Hains Point).
4. The Mall - Large parts of the Mall sidewalks are plowed, but it's difficult to get there. Many other DC sidewalks are not plowed, be careful if you're going this route in the morning.
Thank you so much to everyone who posted on Strava recapping what is and isn't plowed. Help your fellow runner out, let them know which parts of the trails were runnable if you do venture outside!
Have a safe and warm run no matter where you are tomorrow!
Anna
