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Training Runs

The Dickey Ridge Trail in the Shenandoah National Park

THIS IS THE PLACE to obtain information about training runs. Unless otherwise noted, you don't need to be a member of the club to participate in a training run.

This page lists "organized" training runs. The runs mentioned here do not encompass or replace the many more informal, ad hoc runs that members take by themselves, with a buddy, or with small groups. Information about some of these runs is often on the VHTRC Listserv.

Rock Creek Park from Fletchers
Saturday, July 12, 7:30 a.m.
Rock Creek Park

This traditional run has many options. The shortest convenient distance is six miles. The longest is 20+ miles. There will be several "slow" runners. People new to trail running are especially welcome. No RSVP necessary. We meet at 7:30 a.m.

Directions to Fletcher's Boat House

Women's Half Marathon Training Runs
Saturday, August 9 and 23
Fountainhead Regional Park

There will be two "practice runs" for the Women's Half Marathon. Each will start at 8:30 at Fountainhead Regional Park. While these runs are intended as practice for entrants to the WHM, you need not be entered in the run or even be a woman to come run. There is more information on the WHM page

Directions to Fountainhead Regional Park

Training Run Series

Starting in the Fall of 2005, we will have more regular training runs. Each month, a club volunteer will lead a run that will be open to all. The time, place, and other relevant information about the run will be listed on this page. Some runs will be close-in and others will be in the mountains. If you have not done a trail run with us before, you should probably do a close-in run or two before going to the mountains.

The club is "sponsoring" these runs by providing each run leader with a small stipend to provide refreshments and other needs. The runs will usually have no aid, but you should be able to have something to drink and munch on at the end. You should still be prepared to support yourself on the run itself.

These slightly more organized runs do not replace the current ad hoc runs that folks set up on the VHTRC listserv.

Schedule

Date	Run	Leader
January 20	Gap to Gap	Mike Bur
February 10	Cabin John Trail	Mike Bur

About VHTRC Training Runs

While you can get in over your head at a training run, you need not be prepared for the Eco-Challenge. Runs in Rock Creek Park, on the Bull Run Trail, or elsewhere close in offer opportunities to run varying distances. These runs will be from three to six hours long but you can usually turn back at various points. You should start with one of these runs. You can keep up most of the time if you can move at a running pace. Hikers or people who run as fast as hikers will not be able to keep up.

Some of our training runs are in the Shenandoah National Park or the Massanutten Mountains. The trails out there can be very rough. We usually car pool and do loop routes of 15 to 25 miles. That means that when you start, you have bought in for the entire way and can't bail out early. These courses will likely:

Have many rocks and roots. Are your ankles accustomed to this?
Will have little, if any water or aid. You must carry water and be prepared to go long distances without aid.
Will be a long way from help if you need it.
Could be very wet, dry, snow covered, icy, slippery, hot, cold, etc.
Do you like to crawl over or under trees? Do you like briars? Poison ivy? Ticks? Snakes? Bears?

We try to keep track of people but we do not always run together. Usually, there are both fast and slow people on a run, but that is not guaranteed. Also note that, given the driving time, these runs blow most of the day. We can get back home by 3 pm, but don't count on it. Tell your loved ones that you will be "gone all day."

So, is one of these runs for you? You will never really know if you don't try. Come to a local run and check it out. If you have experience on trails, come on out to the mountains. We would love to have you join us. We take care of newbies, but we don't coddle you!

John Dodds's story of his first VHTRC training run

How to Find the Trailhead

Here are descriptions on how to find several of the meeting points we use for runs.

Bull Run Marina: A trailhead in the middle of the Bull Run Trail. You can go either way on the trail from here.
Centreville Park and Ride. This is a meeting/carpooling point for runs in the Blue Ridge and Massanutten Mountains. It's not a starting point for a run, unless you like to run on pavement! It's the "new" Vienna Metro.
Centreville Road Trailhead for the Bull Run Trail. Probably the closest way to this trail for most people.
Fletcher's Boathouse: Starting point for runs in Rock Creek Park.
Fountainhead Regional Park: One starting point for running on the Bull Run Trail. This is on the southeast (downstream) end of the trail and is the best point to check out the infamous "Do Loop."
Hemlock Overlook Regional Park: This is another starting point for running on the Bull Run Trail. This is good to do the northwest (upstream) end of the trail. This is the start/finish of the Bull Run Run.
Manassas Battlefield National Park: There are good running trails in the park. It's flat and there are some open fields though it is mainly wooded. The main loop is said to be 15 miles long.
Potomac Overlook Regional Park: A great place to run! You can do about three miles in the park and get to the Potomac Heritage Trail for a lot more. 2845 N. Marcey Road, Arlington, VA 22207. Potomac Overlook Regional Park web site.
Signal Knob: Here is a great profile of Signal Knob, which is located on the PATC site. No directions there yet.
Vienna Metro: This is a frequent carpooling point for runs in the Blue Ridge and Massanutten Mountains. It's not a starting point for a run, unless you like to run on pavement!

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