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Close encounters of an autumnal kind

October 2, 2019 (Morning)

Exercise Type: Run

Comments:
With Nathaniel and Abby safely trapped in a classroom somewhere, I decided this would be my best chance of catching up in the leaf count while still in DC. I caught one just past the Gunthers' house as I turned on Tennyson but then made the mistake of heading into Rock Creek Park. Despite the fact that running through RCP is like running through a building whose ceiling is made of leaves, I rarely seem to catch any there. The trails are too narrow, I have to watch your footing, and leaves falling from higher up often get stuck in the understory before reaching me. On top of that, the heat and humidity were downright oppressive and I was feeling unjustifiably sore from yesterday. Most of the run was around 9 minute pace, though its hard to be certain given how bad GPS is in the woods. Clearly rolling hills and trail footing where not what my legs needed, and I was constantly worried about tripping because my legs felt sluggish, and I wasn't lifting my feet high enough to avoid obstacles. I felt like crap the entire run but made up for it by enjoying the beautify of the woods in fall. In fact, I couldn't help but adds on little extra segments here and there in the hopes of finding more leaves. I had a number of close encounters but no more catches unless you count the flower petal which somehow got caught in my watch strap (I don't). Later, when I drove over to Broad Branch Market to get lunch, I was confronted by a downpour of leaves on 33rd Street thanks to a light and gusty breeze. Arrrrg! Next time I'll choose my route and my weather more wisely. Still, that's 17 for the season. Rosenberg had best watch his back. Like the Nats, I have a tendency to come from behind late in the season!