Riley's Lock is one of my favorite places to run. The lock is located between mile markers 22 and 23 along the C&O Canal Towpath. The canal, which runs parallel to the Potomac River from blue-collar Cumberland all the way down to ritzy Georgetown (185 miles), was built in the mid-19th century in an effort to rival the railroad. We all know who won that battle! The Towpath is a byproduct of the canal and now is a highway for mountain bikers, hikers, people on horseback and, of course, runners.
Today Chris Bain and I went to Riley's and ran a shorter version of the "Riley's Loop" (13 instead of 15). We run north for four miles or so on the Towpath in the above picture before making a right on Sycamore Landing Road. Usually this gravel road is filled with men clad in camo wielding shotguns and barking orders at their barking pointer setters. However, today we saw no one. After a mile or so, we make another sharp right and for the first time run on asphalt for approximately two miles. The run takes you past a Scooby Doo sign and then a Buddhist Temple. I can do a pretty good impression of both Shaggy and Scooby Doo but whenever I perform my feat when we pass the sign no one seems to laugh. I hate them for that. Today I opted to keep my mouth shut. We circle back north on another gravelly road and bang a 90 degree left down through the McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area. In the summer time, you're surrounded by enormous rows of corn and fields of beautiful sunflowers (see link to see for yourself). In the spring, giant snapping turtles crawl down these sleepy roads and lay eggs while wicked black snakes feed on mice feeding on corn. I once hurdled two within 100 meters of trail. Bird watchers with binocs around their necks smile sheepishly as you dart by. Today though, during the dawn of winter, Bain and I saw none of this.
Usually the pace gets exponentially faster during runs around Riley's and the Towpath. Our group once split 16:47 for 5k at the end of an 18 miler and it's not too uncommon to dip as low as 5:15 pace as we finish up. But today, Bain and I kept it civilized since we have a race tomorrow. It was beautiful weather for a run; 32 degrees and sunny. No hip pain during the run.
After the run, Bain and I were cornered by a Girl Scout Troop who wanted to show us, in period costume, the inside of the circa 1830s lock house. Back in the olden days Old Man Riley would live with his family in the lock house and, when called upon, would emerge from his home and open the locks so that a boat could pass UP river. After a lot of giggling, we left the company of the 16 year olds and shivered, with mud soaked legs, back to the car.
Time to rest up.
Today Chris Bain and I went to Riley's and ran a shorter version of the "Riley's Loop" (13 instead of 15). We run north for four miles or so on the Towpath in the above picture before making a right on Sycamore Landing Road. Usually this gravel road is filled with men clad in camo wielding shotguns and barking orders at their barking pointer setters. However, today we saw no one. After a mile or so, we make another sharp right and for the first time run on asphalt for approximately two miles. The run takes you past a Scooby Doo sign and then a Buddhist Temple. I can do a pretty good impression of both Shaggy and Scooby Doo but whenever I perform my feat when we pass the sign no one seems to laugh. I hate them for that. Today I opted to keep my mouth shut. We circle back north on another gravelly road and bang a 90 degree left down through the McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area. In the summer time, you're surrounded by enormous rows of corn and fields of beautiful sunflowers (see link to see for yourself). In the spring, giant snapping turtles crawl down these sleepy roads and lay eggs while wicked black snakes feed on mice feeding on corn. I once hurdled two within 100 meters of trail. Bird watchers with binocs around their necks smile sheepishly as you dart by. Today though, during the dawn of winter, Bain and I saw none of this.
Usually the pace gets exponentially faster during runs around Riley's and the Towpath. Our group once split 16:47 for 5k at the end of an 18 miler and it's not too uncommon to dip as low as 5:15 pace as we finish up. But today, Bain and I kept it civilized since we have a race tomorrow. It was beautiful weather for a run; 32 degrees and sunny. No hip pain during the run.
After the run, Bain and I were cornered by a Girl Scout Troop who wanted to show us, in period costume, the inside of the circa 1830s lock house. Back in the olden days Old Man Riley would live with his family in the lock house and, when called upon, would emerge from his home and open the locks so that a boat could pass UP river. After a lot of giggling, we left the company of the 16 year olds and shivered, with mud soaked legs, back to the car.
Time to rest up.
3 comments:
Tweens wanted to show you their "period costumes" - man, that's a Saturday worth getting up for...
You know, I've seen the Scooby sign before, but this day I really asked myself "why (is that there)?" for the first time. I've never noticed your Scooby impression before, but I'm glad you didn't do it this time.
I hate you...
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