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SRRC Race Reports
Lost in South Riding—August 14, 2005
Story by Siva Natarajan
[This is not really a race report, but it's a great story of Siva's solitary training run. He didn't have enough water. He got lost. He strained a muscle. He had a good time. Enthusiasm really does help overcome challenges. Editor.]
Sunday, August 14--The good the bad the ugly: Although I was not at the
Leesburg 10/20K this weekend, I had a good run by myself.
I started my run at 6:30am. on the usual route from Starbucks. Once I got to
Loudoun County Pkwy, I headed towards the Giant, looped around it and then
headed on Riding Center Dr. toward the new school. This was approximately a
1.5 - 2 mile stretch, and the view on the right was beautiful. At the
school, I checked to see if there was a water fountain--there was none. I
continued my run to where Riding Center Drive dead-ends at Braddock Road.
(Note: I used a gap in the barricade fencing to get to Braddock Rd.) I
headed east on Braddock and was beginning to think, "I'm not sure how long I
can run without water."
Although my desire at first was to do 10-12 miles, it was getting hot and I
was beginning to regret not carrying water with me. Then, God comes to
rescue me--at the intersection of Braddock and Elk Lick, I found a church
where I was able to have some water. I continued to run on Braddock. Certain
stretches are a bit narrow, and I had to stop and get off the road for
traffic. However, I was enjoying my run and breathing in loads and loads of
fresh unpolluted air compared to the runs I had while I was in India--the
air quality in the metros there is terrible when compared to what we have
here.
My plan was to run to Poland Road, take Poland back to Edgewater, and then
return to Star bucks.
One of my new ways to energize myself when I am exhausted has been to
entitle myself to take off my T-shirt during the second half of my run. (I
am neither ripped nor in terrific shape and am not comfortable taking off my
shirt in public.) However, when I take off my shirt, I being to dream.
I begin to imagine that I am one of those pro runners featured on “Runners
World”. I dream of having a perfect running form. I dream that a camera crew
is following me. The sight of sweat gleaming on my body reminds me that I am
working out, doing something that serves my health, and that I am enduring
pain that will at the end of the run make me feel good. All these distract
me and revitalize me. I wipe off the sweat and continue my run.
I turned North on Poland. I was looking for Edgewater but could not find it
for quite some time. By this time, I was down to the last ounce of energy I
had. Then once again, God came to my rescue. I ended up at the Hindu temple,
stepped in and refueled myself at the water fountain. I continued my run
wondering where the heck I was and when I was going to hit Edgewater. Soon
after that I realized that my assumptions were wrong and that my directions
were probably incorrect--I should have taken Herndon Rd to get to Poland. I
then found out that I was on Pleasant Valley drive and ended up at the
Lafayette Business center (on Route 50).
By now, I was totally beat (probably 9-10 miles). I think I also strained
my foot. I decided to walk the rest of the distance. It was a long, slow,
lonely, walk on a hot morning on Rt. 50. Finally, I reached home and was so
glad to see the big bottle of Gatorade waiting for me inside the fridge.
Overall a great running experience.
The whole experience reminds me what many of you have told me before.
Running is so refreshing and rewarding--regardless of the external
conditions. So thanks, thanks, thanks for showing me how much fun running
can be and for all the motivation and support that you provide. I have tried
putting ice on my foot, but it still hurts. (I hope I will be able to run
tomorrow.)
August 2005
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