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 Welcome to Nordic Walking US.com
 Friday, May 09 2008 @ 12:32 PM EDT

My Nordic Walking Diary Part II

    
Sunday, October 29 2006 @ 12:01 PM EST
Contributed by: Admin
Views: 2449

Had to give in to mSQL limits. Since the database exceeded the pre-set limit. Starting October 29, 2006, the continuation of the diary resides here now. Link to the first part of the diary is just below.

Results, so far - with no dieting, after 2,782 miles (as of October 8, 2007 - the link to the 3rd part of diary is at the bottom of this) - lost 30 pounds and 5.5% body fat since May 16, 2005, when this diary was started. Just think what kind of results YOU could achieve with Nordic walking and a rational diet! Have also gotten faster, as proven by steadily tumbling personal records.

The first part of The Nordic Walking Diary

The 3rd part of The Nordic Walking Diary



October 29, 2006 C&O Canal, from Violette's Lock, to Pennyfield Lock and return. About 5.5 miles. 1:25. With Ania. Seen about a dozen snapping turtles sunning themselves.

October 30, 2006 Streets of Vienna. 4 miles. 0:56:30. In the dark, with my trusty LED headlamp. Admiring Halloween decorations. Surprisingly warm for this time of the year: 55F (12C).

November 1, 2006 Streets of Vienna. 4 miles. 0:56:30. With the headlamp.

November 2, 2006 Washington, DC. From Capitol Hill, through the Capitol grounds, the National Mall, to the White House and Lafayette Square. about 3 miles. 0:45.

November 4, 2006 Billy Goat Trail, part B. Along the C&O Canal and the Potomac river, Maryland. About 4 miles round trip. 1:02. With Ania. Beautiful, but cool day.

November 5, 2006 Sky Meadows State Park, in Delaplane, near Paris, VA. With Ania. North Ridge Trail, to Ambassador Whitehouse Trail, Appalachian Trail, down North Ridge and South Ridge Trails. About 6 miles. 2:03. Beautiful foliage. Pretty good visibility.

November 6, 2006 W&OD Trail, from Vienna, to Hunter Mill Road and return. 5 miles. 1:08. Cool, but quite nice.

November 7, 2006 - Midterm Elections! W&OD Trail, from Vienna Station, to Hunter Mill Road and return. About 6.5 miles. 1:24:10. 50 F (10 C). Very humid. Walked in a light rain for about 5 of the 6.5 miles.

November 10, 2006 W&OD Trail, from Hunter Mill Road, to Lake Fairfax Park and return. Starting at Michael Faraday Drive, through a forest trail. About 9 miles. 2:05.

My best time yet for this route! About 75 F (23 C) and sunny. Pretty incredible weather for this time of the year. Have you heard about global warming, George W Bush? :)

November 11, 2006 Billy Goat Trail, part A. By far the most popular segment and today was no exception. About 4.7 miles. 2.5 hours. With Ania and Ewa. Very warm, almost summer-like day. Sizeable backups on most rock and boulder scrambles.

That makes it 31 miles for the week.

November 13, 2006 Streets and parks of Vienna. 3 miles. 40 minutes.

Drizzle, just over 40 F. Not nearly as bad as yesterday's, wet, cold, windy, nasty weather, when I didn't even bother to go out. Still, a lot of wet, slippery leaves, which made me slow down in many places. Also, the pole tips were hard pressed to find a grip, particularly on uphills.

November 14, 2006 W&OD Trail, from Vienna, to Hunter Mill Road and return. 5 miles. 1:07:50. About 60 F.

Lots of police activity near the trail. Vehicles, a helicopter, many policemen on foot and on mountain bikes. Have no idea what, or who they were looking for...

Novermber 15, 2006 Nottoway Park, Vienna, VA. 2.5 miles. 0:32:20. Around 50 F. Almost all the leaves are down. Time to clean my gutters. Arghh...

November 17, 2006 W&OD Trail, from Vienna, to Wiehle Avenue in Reston and return. About 9.5 miles. 2:14:50. About 54 F (12 C). Sunny, but quite windy. Good time.

November 18, 2006 Reston, VA: From Twin Branches Road to Steeplechase Road, both ways, along Glade stream. About 6 miles. 1:25. With Ania. Fairly cool. About 45 F.

26 miles for the week.

In the evening went with Ania and Monika to Cirque de Soleil's Corteo. Superb, as usual!

November 19, 2006 W&OD Trail, to Lake Fairfax Park and return. About 5 miles. 1:28. With Ania and Ewa. Cool, but several girl's soccer matches were going on in the park.

November 22, 2006 W&OD Trail, from downtown Vienna (left my car for an oil change), to Hunter Mill Road and return. About 7 miles. 1:35. After the first two miles, the rain started. Only about 40 F. Brrr!

November 23, 2006 - Thanksgiving W&OD Trail, from Vienna, to Piney Run bridge and return. 3 miles. 0:42. With Ania. Drizzle. 42 F.

Quite a few walkers, cyclists and especially runners on the trail. Must be making some room for turkey and stuffing :)

November 24, 2006 Great Falls NP, VA. Difficult Run Trail, Ridge Trail, River and Matildaville Trails. About 5.5 miles. 1:12.

Really beautiful, sunny day. Lots of people in the park. About 60 F (15 C). After recent rains all the rivers and streams are very full.

November 25, 2006 Great Falls NP, VA. This time with Ania and Ewa. Matildaville, Ridge, Difficult Run and River trails. Extra hill loop for me. About 7 miles. 1:57. The girls did about 6 miles. Beautiful day. About 60 F.

27.5 miles for the week.

November 26, 2006 W&OD Trail, from Vienna, to Hunter Mill Road and return. 5 miles. 1:18 With Ania. About 60 F. Lots of walkers, cyclists, runners and rollerbladers.

November 28, 2006 W&OD Trail, from Vienna, to Hunter Mill Road and return. 5 miles. 1:08:05. About 62 F.

November 29, 2006 Nottoway Park, Vienna, VA. 2.5 miles. Over 60 F. The cold front is supposed to hit us in a couple of days...

December 1, 2006 Shenandoah National Park. White Oak Canyon, through White Oak Fire Road and down through the Cedar Run Trail. Over 8 miles. Pretty tough hike. Rocky with considerable elevation gain. 3:50.

The stormy weather predicted didn't materialize, except for a few sprinkles. Strong winds forecast later tonight.

December 2, 2006 Great Falls NP, VA. Swamp Trail to Difficult Run Trail, Ridge Trail, Matildaville Trail. About 5.5 miles. 1:40. With Ania and Ewa. Really beautiful, but cool day.

26 miles for the week

December 3, 2006 W&OD Trail, from Vienna, to Hunter Mill Road and return. 5 miles. 1:18 With Ania. Cool, but partly sunny and quite nice.

December 5, 2006 W&OD Trail, from Vienna Station, to Hunter Mill Road and return. About 6.5 miles. 1:22:30.

Only about 38 F and fairly windy, but the sun, the birds, the deer and all kinds of regular walkers, runners and cyclists were out there!

December 6, 2006 Nottoway Park, Vienna, VA. 2.5 miles. 0:33. Pretty cold. Wish I wore gloves, although towards the end was sweating quite a bit.

December 8, 2006 Great Falls NP, VA. Matildaville Trail, to Ridge Trail, to Difficult Run Trail, back up to Ridge Trail, return on Matildaville and River Trails. About 6.5 miles. 1:38.

Only 32 F (0 C) and windy, but sunny and beautiful. No other people on the trail. The only cars on the kayaker/climber parking lot were three Subarus, including mine :)

December 9, 2006 Huntley Meadows Park. About 4.5 miles. 1:28. With Ania. Huntley Meadows is well known as a prime birding spot, with over 200 species identified in the park.

25 miles for the week

December 10, 2006 W&OD Trail, to Lake Fairfax Park and return. About 5 miles. 1:16:20. With Ania. Over 50 F. Much warmer than it has been lately. Sunny.

December 11, 2006 Streets and parks of Vienna, plus W&OD Trail, to Piney Run bridge and return. About 7 miles. 1:38. With Ania. Quite warm, not a cloud in the sky.

December 12, 2006 W&OD Trail, to Lake Fairfax Park and return. About 5 miles. 1:03:30. 54 F (12 C). My best time for this route!

This trail winds through the woods, crosses several streams, has several noticeable hills. The route provides a very varied workout. Not as nice as Great Falls Park, but a few miles closer to home.

December 15, 2006 W&OD Trail, from Vienna, to Hunter Mill Road and return. 5 miles. 1:07:50. Almost 60 F. T-shirt and shorts :)

December 16, 2006 Great Falls NP, VA. Swamp Trail to Difficult Run Trail, Ridge Trail, Matildaville Trail. About 5.5 miles. 1:42.

With Ania and Ewa. Really beautiful, but cool day. Quite a few hikers, dogs and horses.

27.5 miles for the week

December 17, 2006 W&OD Trail, from Vienna Station, to Hunter Mill Road and return. About 6.5 miles. 1:25. 60 F (15 C). Shorts, sunglasses, iPod and T-Shirt :)

December 18, 2006 Streets and parks of Vienna. 3 miles. 40:30. Over 60 F and sunny!

December 20, 2006 Nottoway Park, Vienna, VA. 2.5 miles. 0:33. Not much above freezing, but nice and sunny.

December 22, 2006 Streets and parks of Vienna, plus W&OD Trail, to Piney Run bridge and return. About 7 miles. 1:35. Rainy, foggy, cool. At dusk.

Did manage to get about 4 miles over my weekly minimum, but will not be able to clock what I consider to be my optimum weekly mileage (25+), because we will be spending tomorrow driving to the Boston area for Christmas.

19 miles for the week

December 24, 2006 Charles River Reservation, along the Charles River in Newton, Watertown and Waltham, Massachusetts. Bridge circuit. About 2.5 miles. 34.30. Windy, but no snow, or ice.

December 25, 2006 - Christmas Day ! Charles River Reservation, Newton, Waltham, Massachusets. From Newton to Moody Street and return. About 5 miles. 1:12:30.

December 26, 2006 Charles River Reservation, along the Charles River in Newton, Watertown and Waltham, Massachusetts. Bridge circuit. About 2.5 miles. 34:10.

Decmber 27, 2006 Boston Common and Boston Public Gardens. About 3 miles. 43 minutes.

Global warming is causing all kinds of havoc. The cherry trees in the Public Gardens were actually blooming on December 27!

December 29, 2006 W&OD Trail, to Lake Fairfax Park and return. About 5 miles. 1:17. With Ania. 50 F and sunny.

December 30, 2006 Great Falls NP, VA. Matildaville, Difficult Run and Ridge trails. About 6 miles. 1:46:45. With Ania and Ewa. 50 F and sunny.

24 miles for the week

December 31, 2006 Streets and parks of Vienna, plus W&OD Trail, to Piney Run bridge and return. About 7 miles. 1:31:30. Sunny, about 45 F.

The last day of 2006. Tomorrow is another...year :)

January 2, 2007 Streets and parks of Vienna. 3 miles. 38:40. Quite fast. My best time for this route!. About 45 F and sunny.

January 3, 2007 W&OD Trail, from Hunter Mill Rd. to Reston Parkway and return. About 7 miles. 1:31. Pretty good time, just 50 seconds above my personal record for this route. 55 F (13 C) and sunny.

January 5, 2006 Great Falls National Park, Va. Matildaville Trail (2x), to Difficult Run Trail (2x), Ridge Trail (2x), part of River Trail, around Cow Hoof Rock, Swamp Trail and part of Carriage Road. Extra hill workouts. About 8 miles. 1:55.

60F, very humid and muddy in parts after an earlier rain.

January 6, 2007 W&OD Trail, from Vienna, to Hunter Mill Road and return. 5 miles. 1:18. With Ania. A fairly easy pace. Also stopped to chat with a couple, looking for the continuation of the Cross County Trail. Over 70F (22 C) !!!

30 miles for the week

January 7, 2007 W&OD Trail, to Lake Fairfax Park and return. About 5 miles. 1:22:30. With Ania and Ewa. Just over 50 F. Quite muddy and its going to get worse soon, as more rain is predicted. Lots of mountain bikes.

January 9, 2007 W&OD Trail, to Lake Fairfax Park and return. About 5 miles. 1:01:40. My best time for this route so far!

About 43 F (6 C).

January 10, 2007 Nottoway Park, Vienna, VA. 3.5 miles. 0:45. Sunny, but finally a a more seasonable temperature. 31F.

January 13, 2007 Riverbend Park - Great Falls Park loop. About 4 miles. 1:20. With Ania. This was the longer version of the usual back-to-back walk along the Potomac. The return route leads through hills and valleys and along the Upland Trail. Very nice. Over 60 F. Just started to rain again.

Haven't exercised for the last few days, because am trying to get over a cold.

Only 17.5 miles for the week

January 14, 2007 Reston, VA: From Twin Branches Road to Steeplechase Road, both ways, along Glade stream. About 6 miles. 1:26. With Ania. Very humid and over 60 F.

January 15, 2007 Streets and parks of Vienna. 3 miles. 0:47. With Ania. About 64F !!!!

January 16, 2007 W&OD Trail, from Vienna, to Hunter Mill Road and return. 5 miles. 1:07. Windy, 40 F (5 C).

January 19, 2007 W&OD Trail, from Hunter Mill Road, to Lake Fairfax Park and return. Starting at Michael Faraday Drive, through a forest trail. About 9 miles. 2:07.

Pretty good time, considering the strong wind, which made it feel at times, almost like climbing a hill. Pretty amazing resistance!

January 20, 2007 Burke Lake Park circuit. 4.5 miles. 1:20. With Ania. Sunny, but very windy. Only about 35 F. A surprising number of walkers and runners.

My first time with new LEKI Speed Pacer Varios. Quite nice. Will need a few more walks in order to decide whether I like them as much, or more than my trusty Swix CT2's...

27.5 miles for the week

January 21, 2007 Streets and parks of Vienna, plus W&OD Trail, to Piney Run bridge and return. About 7 miles. 1:37. 26 F. It actually started to snow, while I was walking. By the time I finished, it was getting white all over. All right !

My second walk with the LEKI Speed Pacer Varios. Getting to like the trigger strap release, and the ability to adjust the length of the pole in small increments. At the same time, the velcro strap could be a bit longer. Although I do not have very large hands, and wore relatively thin gloves, the strap was barely long enough - this issue was shortly and easily resolved by getting a longer strap from LEKI.

January 23, 2007 Riverbend Park, from Great Falls Park. About 6.5 miles. 1:43. The route leads through hills and valleys and along the Upland Trail.

About 35 F. Zig-zagged through the many trails in Riverbend Park, some for the first time. Many hills, streams. Some snow still left after Sunday's 2-inch mini storm. It was much more slippery on the muddy sections, than on the snow and ice.

January 24, 2007 Streets and parks of Vienna. About 5 miles. 1:11. 33 F. Light snow falling. Icy patches on pavement from the previous snow. Treacherous in parts.

January 26, 2007 Great Falls NP, VA. Matildaville, Difficult Run, the entire Ridge Trail Swamp Trail and part of Carriage Road. About 6.5 miles. 1:40. 29 F. Just a few patches of snow left after yesterday's flurries.

January 27, 2007 Riverbend Park, from Great Falls Park. About 6 miles. 1:36. Pretty much the same route as January 23, but parked closer to the trailhead. With Ania. Swix CT2's.

Gorgeous, sunny day. Over 50 F.

31 miles for the week

January 28, 2007 Streets and parks of Vienna, plus W&OD Trail, to Piney Run bridge and return. About 7 miles. 1:32. About 34 F. Wet and tiny snow flurries. Good time. Just 30 seconds over my personal record.

January 30, 2007 W&OD Trail to Clark's Crossing Park. Mostly an equestrian park, with many jumping obstacles for horses. A couple of nice hills, making it great fun for sledding and cross-country skiing in the winter. Did about 20 minutes of hill work.

About 5 miles. 1:12.

My first test of the LEKI Traveller poles. Not quite as rigid as some other models, but work really well. Collapse down to 26 inches (91.5 cm), smaller than most. This is the one I will be packing in my suitcase from now on. Also got the longer trigger release straps for the LEKI Speed Pacer Varios. Everything is just fine now. Have also tried a new set of LEKI rubber tips, each with six, short tungsten spikes. Pretty neat solution for most surfaces, besides pavement, of course.

January 31, 2007 Streets and parks of Vienna. 3 miles. 42:20. Frosty, sunny and windy.

February 2, 2007 W&OD Trail, from Vienna, to Hunter Mill Road and return. 5 miles. 1:05. Equal to my personal record!

37F. Rain and drizzle.

February 3, 2007 Riverbend Park, from Great Falls Park. About 6.5 miles. 1:37. The route leads through hills and valleys and along the Upland Trail.

About 35 F. Zig-zagged through the many trails in Riverbend Park. With Ania. Almost exactly the reverse of the January 27 walk, with a bit extra.

26 miles for the week

February 4, 2007 Streets and parks of Vienna, plus W&OD Trail, to Piney Run bridge and return. About 7 miles. 1:31:45. Only 15 seconds over my record.

Sunny and 29F (-2C).

February 5, 2007 Streets and parks of Vienna. About 5 miles. 1:05. My best time for this route!

Sunny, windy, only 17F (-10C).

February 6, 2007 Streets and parks of Vienna. 3 miles. 37:45. Very good time. Part of yesterday's route. 18F (-9C).

February 7, 2007 W&OD Trail, to Piney Run bridge and return. 3 miles. 45 minutes. 20 F (-8C). Not quite two inches of new snow. Not enough for Cross-country skiing, but the ice underlayment made it pretty slick in parts.

February 9, 2007 Cross County Trail/Difficult Run Trail, from Hunter Mill Road at W&OD Trail, to Leeseburg Pike and return. About 8 miles. 2:00 even!

27F. A thin layer of snow over most of the trail. Dressed as for cross-country skiing, except for the equipment. Beautiful, cloudless, but windy day. Great, largely wooded landscape, with streams, flood plains, hills and wildlife.

February 10, 2007 Riverbend Park, to Great Falls, along the Potomac. Return zig-zagging through the many trails in Riverbend Park, getting some hill workouts. With Ania. About 6.5 miles. 1:45. 28F.

Beautiful day. The Potomac is largely frozen. Except for the rapids and the falls, of course :) LEKI Speed Pacer Varios.

32.5 miles for the week

February 11, 2007 Streets and parks of Vienna, plus W&OD Trail, to Piney Run bridge and return. About 9 miles. 1:51. 28F. Swix CT2's. Sunny and beautiful. Snow predicted for tomorrow night. We will see...

February 12, 2007 Streets and parks of Vienna. 3 miles. 39 minutes. 40 F (4C). Still testing the LEKI Travellers. Quite nice, considering that they collapse to such a small size.

February 14, 2007 Valentine's Day! Streets and parks of Vienna. About 5 miles. 1.14. 28F.

Almost ankle-deep mixture of snow and ice. Probably twice the normal effort. Could have been cross-country skiing, but since this was klister weather, I didn't really feel like applying and removing the gooey stuff.

February 16, 2007 Riverbend Park, from Great Falls Park. About 6 miles. 1:38. The route leads through hills and valleys and along the Upland Trail.

About 28 F. Zig-zagged through the many trails in Riverbend Park. About a 6-inch layer of snowy ice, with a solid crust on top. More deer tracks than boot prints.

Wore my Fabiano Mountain boots (sold by LL Bean under a different name). Slick everywhere. The flats were not a problem. Shorter steps and leaning slightly forward. The uphills required very firm planting of the boots and even forceful edging and good pole action.

The downhills were the interesting part. Either had to dig the heel in hard, or slide. With the front foot forward and the poles used for propulsion and balance, it was actually quite a bit of fun :)

February 17, 2007 Riverbend Park, from Great Falls Park. About 5.5 miles. 1:52. With Ania.

Slightly shorter version of yesterday's walk. The icy crust was softer, but still allowed for sliding in a few places. 34F.

26 miles for the week

February 19, 2007 W&OD Trail, to Lake Fairfax Park and return. About 5 miles. 1:38. With Ania. 34F.

The icy crust was just a tiny bit softer than during the last two days. Beautiful, sunny, winter day. Lots of animal tracks in the soft spots. Few boot marks.

February 20, 2007 W&OD Trail, to Lake Fairfax Park, second loop around the park and return. About 8 miles. 1:52.

40F. The crust was softer than during the past few days, but also collapsed under foot from time to time, making it tricky and difficult to walk. Give me a solid (but not too slick) crust anytime!

February 21, 2007 Trails and hills near the W&OD Trail in Vienna. About 3.5 miles. 0:46. 44F. Extra hill work. Melting snow and ice. Hard going = a super great workout!

February 23, 2007 W&OD Trail, to Lake Fairfax Park and return. 5 miles. 1:14:30. 37F. Snow, ice and mud.

February 24, 2007 Riverbend Park, from Great Falls Park. About 7 miles. 1:45. With Ania. 38F. Still beautiful and snowy in most parts.

28 miles for the week

February 25, 2007 W&OD Trail, from Vienna, to Hunter Mill Road and Return. 5 miles. 1:18.

When I started there were about 2 inches of fresh, wet snow. When finished, it had accumulated to at least 4". Beautiful, winter day. Wish we had more of these around here.

February 26, 2007 W&OD Trail, from Hunter Mill Road, to Lake Fairfax Park and return. Starting at Michael Faraday Drive, through a forest trail. About 9 miles. 2:30. 44F.

Several inches of wet and unfortunately melting snow. Still a bit wintery, but fairly tough going through the slush.

February 27, 2007 W&OD Trail, from Michael Faraday Court in Reston, to Elden Street in Herndon and return. About 6.5 miles. 1:38.

45F Still some snow left in shady areas.

February 28, 2007 Streets and parks of Vienna, plus W&OD Trail, to Piney Run bridge and return. About 9 miles. 1:55.

40F. Quite a few hard-to-see, treacherous icy patches in shady areas, but the stuff is melting fast.

130 miles for February

March 2, 2007 Riverbend Park, from Great Falls Park. About 5 miles. 1:13.

60F (16C) Very few patches of snow and ice left. The mud and silt that has replaced them in parts of the trails is often even slicker and more treacherous than ice (not the re-freeze variety, though -:)

March 3, 2007 Reston, VA: From Twin Branches Road to Steeplechase Road, both ways, along Glade stream. About 6 miles. 1:23. With Ania.. About 53F.

40.5 miles for the week

March 4, 2007 Streets and parks of Vienna, plus a section of the W&OD Trail. About 6 miles. 1:13. 34F and very windy, but sunny and quite nice.

March 6, 2007 Streets and parks of Vienna. 5 miles. 1:08. Sunny, windy and 22F.

March 7, 2007 Riverbend Park, from Great Falls Park. About 7 miles. 1:49:30. The route leads through hills and valleys and along the Upland Trail and other trails. Also, walked about a mile upstream from the Riverbend Visitor center and back.

About 28 F.Light snow falling. Minimal accumulation, but very nice :)

March 9, 2007 Great Falls National Park, Va. Matildaville Trail (2x), to Difficult Run Trail (2x), Ridge Trail (2x), part of River Trail, around Cow Hoof Rock, Swamp Trail and part of Carriage Road. Extra hill workouts. About 8 miles. 1:56.

45F. Beautiful, sunny day. More deer than people :)

March 10, 2006 Riverbend Park, from Great Falls Park. About 5.5 miles. 1:26. With Ania.

56F and sunny!

31.5 miles for the week

March 11, 2007 W&OD Trail, to Lake Fairfax Park and return. About 5 miles. 1:15. With Ania. 53F, not a cloud in the sky. I believe that this is the fastest time for Ania on this route.

March 13, 2007 Streets and parks of Vienna, plus W&OD Trail, to Piney Run bridge and return. About 7 miles. 1:34. 62 F and sunny.

March 14, 2007 Streets and parks of Vienna. 3 miles. 37 minutes. 75F!

March 16, 2007 W&OD Trail, from Vienna, to Hunter Mill Road and return. 5 miles. 1:07:15.

Pretty good time, considering that I was wearing high-top hiking boots, in order to keep my feet dry. 32F (0C), raining and sleeting. Snow is predicted for later today. The streams are running very full - erosion central!

March 17, 2007 Saint Patrick's Day! Great Falls NP, VA. Swamp Trail to Difficult Run Trail, Ridge Trail, Matildaville Trail. About 5.5 miles. 1:39. With Ania.

33F. Light layer of snow. Both the Potomac and Difficult Run are very full and running fast.

25.5 miles for the week

March 18, 2007 Streets and parks of Vienna, plus a section of the W&OD Trail. About 6 miles. 1:22. With Ania. 34F, sunny, but windy.

March 19, 2007 Streets and parks of Vienna, plus a section of the W&OD Trail. About 6 miles. 1:11:35. Same route as yesterday, in reverse. 43F and sunny.

March 20, 2007 Streets and parks of Vienna. 3 miles. 0:40. 60F and sunny. Shorts, t-shirt and sunglasses.

March 21, 2007 W&OD Trail, from Vienna, to Hunter Mill Road and return. 5 miles. 1:07:50. 40F, cloudy.

March 23, 2007 W&OD Trail, from Hunter Mill Road, to Lake Fairfax Park and return. Starting at Michael Faraday Drive, through a forest trail. About 9 miles. 2:04. My best time yet for this route! 80F and humid. Passing sprinkles.

March 24, 2007 W&OD Trail, from Elden Street in Herndon, Va, to Reston Parkway and return. About 4 miles. 1:02. With Ania. 62F and foggy.

33 miles for the week

March 25, 2007 Savannah, Georgia. About 3 miles. 2:20. With Ania. Great, historic town. Ships going in and out of the harbor.

LEKI Travellers are the ONLY poles I brought on this trip and they are working just fine :)

March 26, 2007 Fort Pulaski, Tybee Island, Georgia. About 3 miles.

The fort was named after Count Casimir Pulaski, a Polish soldier-patriot, who died during a cavarly charge, while probing British defenses around Savannah, in 1779.

The defining events of Fort Pulaski occurred during the American Civil War. In April of 1862, Union troops directed rifled cannon fire at the fort breaching the southeast angle. The quick success of this experimental cannon surprised military strategists.

March 27, 2007 Jekyll Island, Georgia. 4 miles. 1:05. With Ania. Beautiful and not overdeveloped island, with some 10 miles of public beaches, just off the coast of Georgia.

The lack of "foot conditioning" showed its ugly head, as we got some blisters after a couple of miles of fast walking barefoot on the sand. It will be socks and my trusty Vasque low-cut hiking shoes for the rest of this trip.

March 28, 2007 St. Augustine, Florida. About 5 miles on the beach, North, then south. 1:04. Ania did about 3.5 miles. Great, sunny weather. Not too hot as yet.

March 29, 2007 St. Augustine, Florida. About 6 miles on the beach. 1:30. First S. Ania and Monika did about 4 miles.

Low tide, lots of firm, packed sand. The waves are nothing to write home about, but spent well over an hour body surfing and then playing frisbee.

March 31, 2007 St. Augustine, Florida. About 3 miles on the beach. 0:44. With Ania and Monika. A bit cooler, but very, very nice.

Did quite a bit of body surfing again. Watched a surfing competition as well. Still nursing blisters on my feet, which I got a few days ago, walking fast and barefoot on the beech, without thinking about some "conditioning". Oh well...

24 miles for the week. 124 miles for March

April 1, 2007 Streets and parks of Vienna. 3 miles. 0:40. 55F and cloudy. Swix CT2's.

After the 72-79F (21-26C) days in southern Georgia and northern Florida, this was positively chilly. Brrrr!!!

April 3, 2007 W&OD Trail, from Vienna, to Hunter Mill Road and return. 5 miles. 1:10. 77F. Not too humid. Very pleasant day. LEKI Travellers.

April 4, 2007 Streets and parks of Vienna, plus a section of the W&OD Trail. 3 miles. 0:54. 45F and cloudy. LEKI Speed Pacer Varios.

April 6, 2007 Riverbend Park, from Great Falls Park. About 8 miles. 1:46. The route leads through hills and valleys, along the Potomac River, the Upland Trail and other trails. Also, walked about 1.5 miles upstream from the Riverbend Visitor center and back. LEKI Speed Pacer Varios.

45F and sunny. Snow flurries predicted later.

April 7, 2007 Riverbend Park, from Great Falls Park. About 6 miles. 1:23. The route leads through hills and valleys, along the Potomac River, the Upland Trail and other trails.

Very similar, but sliightly shorter version of yesterday's walk. Only went about 1/4 mile upstream from The Riverbend Park Visitor Center. Swix CT2's 40F (4C) and partly sunny. We did get a dusting of snow this morning. With Ania.

26 miles for the week

April 8, 2007 W&OD Trail, from Vienna, to Hunter Mill Road and return. 5 miles. 1:16. With Ania. 38F, windy, partly sunny. Swix CT2's.

April 10, 2007 Streets and parks of Vienna, plus a section of the W&OD Trail. 4 miles. 0:54. 44F and partly sunny.

April 11, 2007 W&OD Trail, from Hunter Mill Road, to Lake Fairfax Park and return. Starting at Michael Faraday Drive, through a forest trail. About 9 miles. 2:03:30. Swix CT2's.My best time!

50F (10C). Mostly cloudy. Rain predicted later.

April 13, 2007 Great Falls National Park, Va. Swamp Trail to Difficult Run Trail (2x), Ridge Trail (2x), Matildaville Trail, part of River Trail, around Cow Hoof Rock. Extra hill workouts. About 7 miles. 1:46.

LEKI Speed Pacer Varios. 53F (12C). Sunny and windy.

April 14, 2007 Riverbend Park trail, from Great Falls, along the Potomac. Return zig-zagging through the many trails in Riverbend Park, getting some hill workouts. With Ania. About 5 miles. 1:16.

Pretty nice day, with infrequent sprinkles. Major rain predicted for tonight and tomorrow.

30 miles for the week

April 15, 2007 Streets and parks of Vienna, plus a section of the W&OD Trail. 6 miles. 1:13. 42F. Rain.

April 17, 2007 W&OD Trail, from Vienna, to Piney Run bridge and return. 3 miles. 0:40. Cool, cloudy and windy.

Day after the terrible tragedy at Virginia Tech.

April 18, 2007 W&OD Trail, to Lake Fairfax Park and return. About 5 miles. 1:02. Very good time. Sunny and 48F.

April 20, 2007 W&OD Trail, from Vienna, to Piney Run bridge and return. 3 miles. 0:38.

Beautiful, sunny day. 70F.

April 21, 2007 Nordic walking demo in Vienna's Glyndon Park and on the W&OD Trail. With Jeanie and Anna. About 3 miles.

Jeanie chose the LEKI Traveller poles, because she liked the fact that they can be collapsed down to only 26 inches and Anna really liked the Swix Twist&Go tips, choosing the CT 2 combo package.

Beautiful, sunny day, over 70F.

In the afternoon, Riverbend Park trails, starting and ending at Great Falls Park, Virginia. About 6 miles. 1:17. With Ania. By the afternoon the temperature reached 80F.

26 miles for the week

April 22, 2007 Streets and parks of Vienna, plus W&OD Trail, to Piney Run bridge and return. About 9 miles. 1:50. 75F. Swix CT2's. Sunny and beautiful. The W&OD Trail was quite crowded.

April 24, 2007 W&OD Trail, from Vienna, to Hunter Mill Road and Return. 5 miles. 1:04:30. My best time so far!

76F and partly sunny. Swix CT2's.

April 25, 2007 Streets and parks of Vienna. 3 miles. 0:39:30. 70F and sunny.

April 27, 2007 W&OD Trail, from Vienna Station, to Route 66 and Virginia Lane and return. About 7 miles. 1:35. Wet, after a rain. Under 60F.

April 28, 2007 Great Falls National Park, Va. With Ania. Extra hill workouts. About 6.5 miles. 1:35. 68F. LEKI Speed Pacer Varios.

30.5 miles for the week

April 29, 2007 W&OD Trail, to Lake Fairfax Park and return. About 5 miles. 1:08. With Ania. Absolutely gorgeous day. 68F (20C).

May 2, 2007 Streets and parks of Vienna. About 5 miles. 1:14. Sunny, hot and a bit humid.

May 3, 2007 Streets and parks of Vienna. 3 miles. 0:43. 60F.

May 4, 2007 W&OD Trail, from Vienna, to Hunter Mill Road and return. 5 miles. 1:12. Took it easy. Beautiful, sunny day. 70F (21C).

May 5, 2007 Riverbend Park trails, starting and ending at Great Falls Park, Virginia. About 6 miles. 1:27. With Ania. Cloudy and about 65F.

24 miles for the week

May 6, 2007 W&OD Trail, to Lake Fairfax Park and return. About 5 miles. 1:06. Gorgeous, sunny day. Only about 55F. Quite a few people in the park and on the trail.

May 8, 2007 W&OD Trail, from Vienna Station, to Hunter Mill Road and return. About 6.5 miles. 1:27. Didn't strain too much. Beautiful, sunny, 60F day.

May 11, 2007 W&OD Trail, from Vienna, to Hunter Mill Road and return. 5 miles. 1:10:30. Very hot and humid. I miss those dry days in the 70's...

May 12, 2007 Riverbend Park trails, starting and ending at Great Falls Park, Virginia. About 6.5 miles. With Ania. Warm, muggy and largely cloudy.

23 miles for the week

May 13, 2007 W&OD Trail, to Lake Fairfax Park and return. About 5 miles. 1:10. With Ania. Great, sunny day! Only about 62F. Perfect!

May 15, 2007 W&OD Trail, from Vienna, to Sunrise Valley Drive in Reston and return. About 7.25 miles. 1:38. Beautiful, sunny day.

May 16, 2007 W&OD Trail, to Lake Fairfax Park and return. Extra trails within the park. About 5.75 miles. 1:22. 80F+ and humid.

Today marks two years, since I started this Nordic walking diary. 2,257.25 miles of walking, mostly with the Swix CT2 poles, but also several hundred miles with the Swix CT5s, the LEKI Speed Pacer Varios, Instructors and Travellers.

May 18, 2007 W&OD Trail, from Vienna, to Hunter Mill Road and return. 5 miles. 1:11. 55F and cloudy. Good day for exercise!

May 19, 2007 Great Falls National Park, Va. With Ania. About 5.5 miles. 1:30. Beautiful, sunny day. About 70F.

28.5 miles for the week

May 20, 2007 W&OD Trail, to Lake Fairfax Park and return. Extra loop next to the park. About 6 miles. 1:21. 70F. Great day. quite a few mountain bikers, hiking Boy Scouts, runners.

May 22, 2007 W&OD Trail, from Vienna, to Sunrise Valley Drive in Reston and return. About 7.25 miles. 1:44. Took it easy Beautiful, sunny day.

May 24, 2007 Streets and parks of Vienna, plus a section of the W&OD Trail. 4 miles. 0:53. Just over 70F and sunny. Getting humid.

May 25, 2007 Great Falls National Park, Va. Matildaville Trail (2x), to Difficult Run Trail, Ridge Trail, part of River Trail, around Cow Hoof Rock, Swamp Trail. About 6.5 miles. 1:33. 85F and humid.

May 26, 2007 Riverbend Park, from Great Falls Park. About 5.75 miles. 1:25. With Ania. The route leads through hills and valleys and along the Upland Trail. 88F, very humid, with hardly any wind. Hot!!

28.3 miles for the week

May 27, 2007 W&OD Trail, to Lake Fairfax Park and return. Extra connecting trail in my case. About 5.5 miles. 1:43. With Ania and Ewa. Hot and humid.

May 28, 2007 Reston, VA: From Twin Branches Road to Steeplechase Road, both ways, along Glade stream. About 6 miles. 1:23. With Ania. About 75F Very humid. Still wet everywhere, after last night's thunderstorms.

May 30, 2007 Street and parks of Vienna. 5 miles. 1:08. About 78F. Sunny and fairly humid.

June 1, 2007 W&OD Trail, to Lake Fairfax Park and return. Extra loop next to the park. About 6 miles. 1:21. 88F (30C) very humid, code orange air quality.

June 2, 2007 Nordic walking demo at Nottoway Park in Vienna, VA. About 2 miles. 1:10. Sunny, hot and humid. Seemingly every conceivable team sport was being played by kids at the park's fields. Baseball, softball, soccer, lacrosse, volleyball, tennis and of course everybody's favorite sport: family cookouts :)

In the afternoon went to Riverbend Park, with trails, starting and ending at Great Falls Park, Virginia. About 5.5miles. 1:37. With Ania and Ewa.

Streets of Vienna. 2 miles, 32 minutes. In the evening, with Ania.

32 miles for the week

June 4, 2007 W&OD Trail, from Vienna, to Hunter Mill Road and return. 5 miles. 1:10. about 72F. Much cooler and less humid than the past week. Yesterday's rain has cleaned up the air somewhat.

June 5, 2007 Streets and parks of Vienna. 6 miles. 1:15. 75F (24C). Pretty nice weather.

June 6, 2007 W&OD Trail, to Lake Fairfax Park, second loop around the park and another, shorter around the campground. About 8.5 miles. 1:55. Great weather. Not too hot for a change!

June 8, 2007 Burke Lake Park circuit. 4.5 miles. 1:09. Did not even attempt to break my personal record of 1:00:18, since it was 90F (33C) and very humid.

June 9, 2007 Riverbend Park, from Great Falls Park. About 6 miles. 1:35. With Ania. The route leads through hills and valleys, along the Upland Trail and next to the Potomac River. A bit humid, but only about 82F.

30 miles for the week

June 10, 2007 Streets and parks of Vienna, plus a section of the W&OD Trail. About 6 miles. 1:12. Pretty good time. 72F, but very humid.

June 11, 2007 Streets and parks of Vienna. 3.5 miles. 0:42. About 75F and fairly humid.

June 12, 2007 Vienna parks and streets. 3 miles. 0:40. 78F.

June 13, 2007 W&OD Trail, from Vienna, to Hunter Mill Road and return. 5 miles. 1:06. Pretty good time.

My darn iPod locked up again. Took several minutes of the usual frustration to reset it. It would stand to reason that the one product that's keeping Apple alive would be of a higher quality. Have already ordered a replacement - a SanDisk SDMX4-8192 Sansa e280 8 GB MP3 Player. Hopefully, not being an Apple iPod, it will last more than two years -:)

June 15, 2007 Great Falls NP, VA. Difficult Run Trail, Ridge Trail, River and Matildaville Trails. About 5 miles. 1:10. Partly cloudy, relatively cool.

With the new Sansa mp3 player. So far, so good. Have to find viable way of removing the iTunes' copyright protection, so I can get the few songs I bought from Apple to play on this player as well.

June 16, 2007 My birthday! Streets and parks of Vienna, 3 miles. 0:41. Nice day.

Going to see Riverdance with Ania at Wolf Trap in the evening.

25.5 miles for the week

June 17, 2007 W&OD Trail, to Lake Fairfax Park and return. Extra loop next to the park. About 5.5 miles. 1:22. 88F (30C). With Ania.

June 18, 2007 Reston, VA: From Twin Branches Road to Steeplechase Road, both ways, along Glade stream. About 6 miles. 1:14. 88F and very humid. Picked this route, because it is largely shaded.

June 20, 2007 Streets and parks of Vienna. 5 miles. 1:09:45. 72F.

June 22, 2007 W&OD Trail, from Hunter Mill Rd. to Reston Parkway and return. About 7 miles. 1:33. Decent time. Beautiful, sunny day. About 80F, fairly dry, with a nice, cooling breeze.

June 23, 2007 Nordic walking demo at Nottoway Park in Vienna, VA. About 2 miles. 1:30. Beautiful, sunny day.

Great Falls Park, Virginia, with Ania and Ewa. 5.5 miles. 1:45.

30.5 miles for the week

June 24, 2007 Streets and parks of Vienna. 3 miles. 0:48. With Ania. Getting more humid.

June 25, 2007 Parks and streets of Vienna. Exactly the same route as yesterday - in reverse. 3 miles. 0:41. Very humid.

June 26, 2007 Streets and parks of Vienna. 4 miles. 0:54. Extremely humid and hot, but the air quality appears to be relatively OK.

June 28, 2007 W&OD Trail, from Vienna, to Hunter Mill Road and return. 5 miles. 1:11. 84F and very humid.

June 29, 2007 Along the Charles River, upstream from Rustic Street, in Newton, Massachusetts, through Watertown and Waltham, to Elden Street Bridge. About 5 miles. 1:05. 72F. LEKI Travellers. These are also the poles I will be taking along for my upcoming vacation in Europe.

June 30, 2007 Along the Charles River, downstream and return from Rustic Street, in Newton, Massachusetts, to North Beacon Street Bridge - loop. About 5.5 miles. 1:15. Gorgeous, sunny day. About 73F and fairly low humidity. LEKI Travellers.

25.5 miles for the week - 127.5 miles for June

July 1, 2007 In the morning along the Charles River, upstream from Newton, Massachusetts. About 2.5 miles. 0:50. With my Dad, who, being some 1.5 months short of 90, still can walk better than many people half his age :)

In the afternoon, along the Charles River, upstream from Rustic Street, in Newton, Massachusetts, through Watertown and Waltham, to High Street bridge. About 7 miles. 1:37. Great weather, in the 70's. LEKI Travellers.

July 2, 2007 Along the Charles River, bridge circuit x2 - Route 16 bridge and Bridge Street. About 5 miles. 1:08. Another great day! LEKI Travellers.

July 3, 2007 Along the Charles River, upstream from Rustic Street, in Newton, Massachusetts, through Watertown and Waltham, to Elden Street Bridge (Moody Street). About 5 miles. 1:06. 72F. LEKI Travellers.

July 6, 2007 W&OD Trail, to Piney Run bridge and return. 3 miles. 0:40. Quite hot and humid.

July 7, 2007 - 7-7-7! Great Falls NP, VA. Matildaville, Difficult Run, Ridge Trail, Swamp Trail and part of Carriage Road. About 6.0 miles. With Ania. Pretty hot and despite predictions, also quite humid.

28.5 miles for the week

July 8, 2007 Streets and parks of Vienna, plus a section of the W&OD Trail. 6 miles. 1:15. 85F (30C) Fairly muggy, but with a nice breeze.

July 9, 2007 Streets and parks of Vienna. 3 miles. 0:40. 85F and very humid.

July 10, 2007 Streets and parks of Vienna - reverse direction from yesterday. 3 miles. 0:40:30. 86F, just as humid.

My first time with the new Springboost shoes. More about them soon. Stay tuned!

July 11, 2007 Streets and parks Vienna. 3 miles. 0:40.

I am really getting used to the Springboost shoes. My step just feels more springy with them :)

July 13, 2007 W&OD Trail, from Vienna, to Hunter Mill Road and return. 5 miles. 1:10. 78F. Great day!

Springboost shoes and my newly-created "perfect travel poles" - LEKI Travellers, with the Swix large Twist&Go tips. The poles work just fine. The big blob of rubber on the bottom of the pole does change the balance somewhat, but that's not hard to adjust to. In short: these poles are going with me to Europe in a couple of days.

July 14, 2007 W&OD Trail, to Lake Fairfax Park and return. About 5 miles. 1:16. With Ania. 78F and sunny. Lots and lots of mountain bikers on the trail.

25 miles for the week

July 15, 2007 Streets and parks of Vienna. 3 miles. 0:41. Quite hot and humid.

July 18, 2007 Konstancin, Poland (south of Warsaw). Along the Jeziorka River. About 4 miles. 0:51. A bit cooler than it has been lately. Along the sandy bank of the levee.

July 19, 2007 Through Konstancin. 4.5 miles. 0:59.

Konstancin-Jeziorna is a summer holiday resort near Warsaw (20 km away from the capital), on the river Jeziorka. The proximity of forests ensures beneficial climatic conditions.

The spa, sparsely built-over with beautiful historical villas and little palaces, lies in a pine forest. In the spa centre, a tower releasing brine vapor from the depth of some 1,400 meters was built in Zdrojowy Park in 1980.

July 20, 2007 Through the streets of Konstancin. 5 miles. 1:09.

July 24-27, 2007 A bit of Nordic walking, but mostly just plain walking around Madrid, Toledo, Ciudad Real, Cordoba, Sevilla and Granada Spain.With Ania and Monika. Fantastic sights. Very hot weather, often around 40C. More on the trip in a later posting.

July 31, 2007 Konstancin, Poland (south of Warsaw). Along the Jeziorka River. About 4 miles. 0:55. A bit cooler than it has been lately. Along the sandy bank of the levee.

August 4, 2007 Zakopane, Poland. Under the 90-meter, the 70-meter and the two smaller ski jumps and back through town. About 2.5 miles.0:34. The jumps were actually being used. The plastic surface requires protective gear. Also, have seen athletes from the nearby Olympic Training Center rollerskiing through a path specifically designated for them.

A hike through the Strazyska Valley, with Ania, Monika, Irma and Roberto. About 2.5 miles.

August 7, 2007 Konstancin, Poland. Through the streets of the spa town. 4.5 miles. 0:59.

In the afternoon, along the Jeziorka River in Konstancin, to the Vistula. 4 miles. 0:50.

August 18, 2007 Great Falls Park, Virginia. 4 miles. About 1:30. With Ania, Ewa, Helena and Ela. It was Ela's first experience with Nordic walking and she seemed to love it!

Beautiful, sunny day. About 75F. Quite a few people in the park. My first walk since returning from Europe, as I am trying to get over nasty cold, or flu, which I have caught over there.

August 19, 2007 W&OD Trail, to Lake Fairfax Park and return. About 5 miles. 1:16. With Ania. About 77F and quite humid..

August 24, 2007 Streets and parks of Vienna. 3 miles. 44 minutes. 88F and very humid.

Took it easy. Still under the weather a bit, with the flu.

August 27, 2007 Streets and parks of Vienna. 3 miles. 42:30. 79F. Still a bit humid, but a nice, sunny day.

Two days ago we have celebrated in Boston my Father's 90th birthday! Some of you might be interested to know that he does own and sometimes uses Nordic walking poles.

August 28, 2007 Emmitsburg, Maryland. Community Park. Two circuits. About 2 miles. 0:27. In the 80's. Quite humid.

August 29, 2007 Cunningham Falls State Park, Maryland. Cliff Trail, Lower Trail loop, plus a bit around Hunting Creek Lake. About 2 miles. 0:32. Considerable elevation gain on the steep and rocky Cliff Trail.

August 30, 2007 Chesapeake and Ohio Canal (C&O) footpath. From Point of Rocks, Maryland (mile 48.25), to the 45'th milepost and return. 6.5 miles. 1:37.

Fairly humid, but the trail is well-shaded. Saw a fair number of cyclists. Some, judging by heavily-laden bikes, were obviously doing large sections of the 183-mile canal.

I have done the C&O Canal in five days in 1992. A very nice trip. Should do it again soon.

August 31, 2007 W&OD Trail, from Vienna, to Hunter Mill Road and return. 5 miles. 1:08. My fastest time, since June 13, 2007.

Quite humid. Sweated buckets.

September 1, 2007 Sky Meadows State Park, in Delaplane, near Paris, VA. With Ania. North Ridge Trail, to Ambassador Whitehouse Trail, Appalachian Trail, north, all the way to Route 50 and return (another climb) down North Ridge and South Ridge Trails.

Ania returned by the Ambassador Whitehouse Trail, logging about 6.5 miles. I did about 10 miles in 2:41. Beautiful, sunny day, with fairly low humidity. About 77F.

28.5 miles for the week

September 2, 2007 Streets and parks of Vienna. 4 miles. 0:54. 77F. Beautiful day.

September 3, 2007 - Labor Day Riverbend Park, from Great Falls Park. About 5 miles. 1:18. With Ania. The route leads through hills and valleys, along the Potomac River and through the Upland Trail. About 78F. Getting a bit more humid, but still a great day.

September 5, 2007 Streets and parks of Vienna, plus a section of the W&OD Trail. 6 miles.1:14:30. 80F and humid, but still pretty nice. In a couple of days they are predicting the hellish, humid 90's again.

September 7, 2007 Accotink Creek/Cross County Trail, from Arlington Boulevard (route 50), to King Arthur Road and return. About 5.5 miles. 1:20.

91F and humid, but this route is largely shaded, thank God! Mixed surface. Perfect conditions for the Swix Twist&Go tips.

September 8, 2007 Great Falls NP, VA. Matildaville Trail, to Ridge Trail, to Difficult Run Trail, back up to Ridge Trail, return on Matildaville Trails. About 6 miles. 1:38. With Ania. Quite hot and humid, but the air seems to be of a decent quality still.

26.6 miles for the week

September 9, 2007 Streets and parks of Vienna. 3 miles. 0:38. Good time. 80F and a bit humid, but quite nice. Many streams are completely dried-up. We could really use some soaking rain.

September 11, 2007 Streets and parks of Vienna. 3 miles. 0:37. Equal to my personal best for this route!

70F, drizzly and damp. Swix CT2's, with the large Twist&Go tips, as these, in my opinion, grip the best on wet pavement. Finally got a bit of rain overnight. Some streams actually have SOME water in them now. The region still has about a 10-inch rain deficit.

September 12, 2007 Streets and parks of Vienna. The same route as the past two days, in reverse. 3 miles. 0:40. Good pace, but made no attempt at breaking records.

69F. Beautiful, sunny day. Wish I had time for a longer walk today...

September 14, 2007 W&OD Trail, from Hunter Mill Road, to Lake Fairfax Park and return, starting at Michael Faraday Drive, through a forest trail. About 9 miles. 2:04. Just 30 seconds over my best time!. 73F, cloudy, humid and drizzly. Sweaty work :)

September 15, 2007 Bridle trails of Sky Meadows State Park, in Paris, Virginia. With Ania. Couldn't walk in the usual part of Sky Meadows, as they had a humongous Scottish festival at $15 a head going there. Not that we don't like the Scots. Quite the contrary! But it was a beautiful, sunny, dry day and we wanted to hit the trails, so we went across the highway to the horse area, which was almost deserted, except for maybe six riders and some deer.

Anyway, did about 6.7 miles on the Lost Mountain and the Rolling Meadow BridleTrails in about 1:45, plus about half a mile earlier at Stribling Orchard, while tasting and picking apples.

25 miles for the week

September 16, 2007 Reston, VA: From Twin Branches Road to Steeplechase Road, both ways, along Glade stream. About 6 miles. 1:22:30. Very good time. With Ania. Cool, only 58F, but sunny, dry and beautiful!

September 18, 2007 W&OD Trail, from Vienna, to Hunter Mill Road and return. 5 miles. 1:09. Pretty good time, without making a huge effort. About 63F, sunny and gorgeous.

The bridge over Piney Branch stream is finally open...a year and three months, after it was damaged in a flood. This is not surprising in a region, where repairing a short, one-floor escalator in a Metro station takes nine months and repairing a one-floor elevator over a year...

Swix CT2's, and Springboost B-Walk Nordic shoes. I love these! Wear them for at least 90% of my walks.

September 19, 2007 Streets and parks of Vienna. 3 miles. 0:39. 65F. A bit cloudy and more humid.

Streets and parks of Vienna, plus a section of the W&OD Trail. 4 miles. 0:56. In the evening, for the first time in months with a headlamp.

September 21, 2007 W&OD Trail, from Vienna station (mile 11.5), to milepost 15 west of Hunter Mill Road and return. About 7 miles. 1:38:30. 80F, sunny and a bit too humid for my taste.

September 22, 2007 Huckleberry Trail, in Blacksburg, Virginia. About 3 miles. With Ania and Monika. Visiting our daughter Monika at Virginia Tech. Right next to the campus, with the crazed, football crowds everywhere -:)

By the way, Virginia Tech has whipped William and Mary by the lopsided score of 34-3.

28 miles for the week

September 23, 2007 In the morning, a loop trail in Blacksburg. About 1.5 miles. With Ania and Monika.

Towards evening, around Big Meadows in the Shenandoah National Park. About 2 miles. With Ania. Close to sunset. Beautiful light, much cooler than in the valley. Several groups of the usual deer.

September 24, 2007 Streets and parks of Vienna. 3 miles. 0:40. 70F and sunny.

September 25, 2007 W&OD Trail, to Lake Fairfax Park and return. 5 miles. 1:04. Pretty good, time, without straining too much.

76F. Bone dry everywhere. We could really use a few inches of good, soaking rain around here.

September 26, 2007 Streets and parks of Vienna. 3 miles. 0:39:40. 77F, sunny and fairly humid.

September 28, 2007 W&OD Trail, to Lake Fairfax Park and return. Extra loop next to the park. About 5.5 miles. 1:12. 72F, sunny and gorgeous. Some rain finally fell last night and most streams are not completely dry any longer.

September 29, 2007 Nordic walking demo at Nottoway Park in Vienna, Virginia. Noel and Natalia did very well. Both used the LEKI Traveller poles. About 2 miles.

Great Falls NP, VA. Difficult Run Trail, Ridge Trail, River and Matildaville Trails. About 5 miles. 1:50. With Ania and Ewa. Fairly slow pace. Beautiful day, around 70F.

27 miles for the week

The 3rd Part of My Nordic Walking Diary




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My Nordic Walking Diary Part II | 9 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
My Nordic Walking Diary Part II
Authored by: ironmaned on Friday, April 20 2007 @ 10:28 PM EDT
Hey Marek, I see that you took the day off on April 19th to celebrate my birthday! Thanks!

Ed Urbanski
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