2010 Camping Year in Review

Although the DC area "Snowpocalypse" shut down the annual ICE, the year of 2010 still had its share of backpacking and camping adventures, with myself and other familiar NORSA faces.  Just back from my last trip of the year, it is time to recap them all.  NORSA camping is truly an event for all seasons:

Spring - one week solo (Steven S) in the George Washington National Forest, around Trout Run valley plus many side trails.  Highlights included Halfmoon Lookout,  Trout Pond, and Tibbet Knob.  Also a close encounter with a rattlesnake.  Watch out in the high grass on those forest roads!

Summer - canoe camping at Assateague Island (Steven S, Emily P, plus NORSA newcomers Cody & Jessica).  Highlights - all the pretty horses.  More than we bargained for - high winds, sunburn.

Fall - overnight trip to Kennedy Peak (Steven S, Emily P, Matt, Nora, plus NORSA newcomer Michael L).    Unfortunately, the peak itself was preempted by another group, but fun was had by all.  Highlights included fall foliage, seeing three bears, and not starting this forest fire.

Winter - Steven S did another solo trip in the GWNF, this time an 8.5 mile out and back to Halfmoon Lookout on Christmas Eve.  It snowed, but things were going well until a complaining knee turned the last six miles into an agonizing limp back to the parking lot.  Be careful out there and bring plenty of ibuprofen!

That's it for now.  Here's hoping that 2011 is another NORSA-rific year!

Jingle All the Way 10K

Jingle All the Way 10K
December 12, 2010
Washington, DC

Spirits were high at the Capital Running Company’s Jingle All the Way 10K despite a cold and rainy Sunday morning in December. Costumed and serious runners alike toed the line for the 6th annual race held at DC’s West Potomac Park. The flat out and back course allows for attainable PRs but not for a certain NORSA running on this day. Allison ran the race on an injured left calf and was not able to sustain a fast pace due to the volume of runners on the relatively narrow course. Despite running a personal worst for the year, Allison was able to chalk up the race as the “6 miles at marathon pace” run that she was scheduled to complete that day.

The Jingle All the Way 10K is a fun race and provides a good opportunity for runners to stay fit during the winter season. Beware, though, of a lack of bathroom stops along the course (Probably due to park regulations. There’s a public bathroom a mile or two into the race, though.) and large crowds or runners. The race is chip-timed but (at least for 2010) one’s 5K time is recorded based off of one’s gun time. There was plenty of food and drinks at the end of the race (even Christmas cookies!) and as long as one is able to drag him or herself out of bed on a cold December morning, this is a race to do!

Race Results
Net Time – 53:00
Pace – 8:32/m
Over All Place – N/A
Female Place – 395/2,536
Age Group Place – 128/795