7 miles last night, beautiful and at tempo pace. Passed some runners (or were they walkers?). Felt like I could keep going forever! Nice cool weather. Had to stop mid-way for a nature call (I really should not eat salads and other fiber for lunch on a running day). But a great run along the Mt/ Vernon trail.

We're planning 10-12 for tomorrow, and some easy stuff for the weekend and next week. I think we're ready!

Well, this is the end of our first taper week (of 3) so we planned to run 16.2 miles easy last night. Interesting weather - drizzle and windy and cool. We ran probably faster than we should have or needed to (and my legs feel it today), but we had near-perfect distance running conditions. In the end, we ran a bit more than our plan.

Our LDT route goes from National Airport (Gravely Point Park) north, over the 14th street bridge and then up and into Rock Creek Park, thru the National Zoo and on up towards the park's  nature center, depending on the distance. It's a great route - water roughly every 2 miles, some big hills in the longer distance versions, free parking, well maintained trails the whole way, interesting sites and very few street crossings (6, I think. And only 3 are actually ever busy).

So we ran north, about 8.2 miles, stopping for a few minutes to give directions to some lost teens at the zoo, and turned around. Got back to the zoo, ran through it, and found, to our surprise, the gates at the trail exit were closed and locked. We backtracked a bit and climbed up the embankment to the Zoo road, looking for a way out and couldn't find one. Ended up backtracking to the main entrance and out that way. Added about 1.2 miles plus some mountaineering But also meant we got to run thu the parkway tunnel south of the zoo (which we normally get to miss by staying on the trail) and that was dis-topian - like something from a Will Smith movie.

We ended up back at the car, safe and sound, just a bit further on the distance than we wanted. But a fun diversion. I need to get a small sweatproof camera to carry for these events! Any recommendations?

Next week is a 10 mile long run.The week after, just short and easy. 

Slogging onward.

Yesterday evening my RB and I completed our first 22+ in preparation for Baltimore. We'll be doing one more next week and then start our taper towards the 10/11marathon. http://www.mapmyrun.com/route/us/dc/washington/457409879

The run last evening was fantastic. Temps in the mid-70s and resonable humidity. We ran slowly, though pushing a little throughout. I hurt today, but not from anything be the effort. So I'm pleased with where we are.

Hills Monday.