This week’s runs have been pretty effortless. I’m starting to feel bored with the 3-milers. It must be a good sign that I’m ready for some more challenging runs.  I decided to run a different trail today and ran the trail in Aspen Hill Park, which is a few miles from home. The trail is part of Rock Creek Park, which is Washington, DC’s urban park that extends 12 miles from the Potomac River to the border of Maryland.  The 1 1/2 mile out and back had a couple hills which is different than my flat run on the  Capital Crescent Trail.  I need to get more hills in my runs, but I don’t know where to go during the weekdays where it’s on the route home.  Plus, now I have to deal with the days getting shorter, so I don’t want to be on a trail without any lights.

Today was easy. There were very few runners–mostly walkers–on the trail.  I even saw a deer cross the trail.  It had rained quite a bit yesterday, so there were some puddles to dodge, but overall a nice steady paced run.

Summary:

Location: Aspen Hill Park, Rockville, MD
Conditions: Clear, 70
Goal: 3 miles
Results: 3 miles non-stop
Time: 33:46
Pace: 11:15/mile
Total Training Miles to Date: 116
Click here to view my complete training schedule

Thoughts:
I enjoyed the hills. I’m up for the challenge of more hills.

What I’ll remember most:
The deer crossing the trail.