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January 15, 2005
Lost & Mean People at 7-11
I just haven't had any luck with my 20 milers lately. The Rock Creek Parkway to Capital Crescent loop was my route of choice today because it ends up being ~22 miles, which was my goal. It's one of my favorite runs, a scenic one that begins in Virginia, gradually climbs up DC, traverses through Maryland, leads you to Capital Crescent trail past downtown Bethesda and Georgetown before finishing up at Iwo Jima Memorial. I had enlisted R. to ride alongside/near me to provide me company and in case I started feeling bad, since my confidence level about 20s was low due to my past two efforts. But it wasn't to be. He got frostbite within the first ten minutes on a couple of his toes and was risking getting it on his hands because he didn't bring another pair of gloves or his neoprene booties to go over his biking shoes. After all, it was 33 degrees; I'm sure the windchill made it colder. I was extremely disappointed that he couldn't continue, but I needed to get this run done one way or another.
I don't think I've run 22 miles outside without a training partner before, so I knew it was going to be quite a mental challenge. I was also a bit worried if I would remember where exactly to go once I got to the tip of Rock Creek/Beach Drive, but I was looking forward to the adventure. I felt better today - both my quad and energy level (what gave me problems on the last two 20 milers, respectively) - and everything was going peachy keen. That is, for a little over 2 hours. It started when I got slightly detoured at the tip of Beach Drive, where I didn't remember to turn left and kept going up West Beach Drive into a residential area. It dead ended, so I found my way back to that turn and then to the Rock Creek trail by the baseball fields and horse stable, just as I thought. (I almost forgot to mention that I haven't done this route in over two years.) That added a mile or so. Then after ~10 or 15 minutes, I got to an intersection of the trail scratching my head in confusion at the sign. I stopped to ask another runner which way led to Georgetown or Capital Crescent trail. He wasn't sure exactly, but pointed back in the direction from which I just came. I emphatically did not want to do an out and back, and the sign for straight ahead pointed to Rockville Town Center 14.x? miles. Since that seemed too far off my path/mileage, I took a left and found signs for Georgetown Branch trail and ended up on the "Future" Capital Crescent trail, around where Becky and I went biking last summer. That trail ended, and at that point, I had no idea where I was. I followed a couple more Georgetown Branch signs before they disappeared at a major intersection. I stopped a mail deliverer in her truck and asked again, which way to Georgetown. She said that Rock Creek Park was down the street to the right. I started off again in that direction, knowing that was not where I intended to be, but at least it would return to my starting point. But once I did the math in my head, by the time I would have ended up in Virginia, I would have done ~28 or 30 miles!!! Not what I had planned...
I had run almost 17.5 miles (according to my GPS), so I thought it best to stop in a shopping center to call R. to pick me up. I could do 22 next week. I literally had no idea where I was or what city I was even in and had no money or cell phone (which isn't the norm, as I was expecting R. to be with me - cell phone in hand), but I was still calm albeit disoriented. I stepped into a 7-11 to ask if I could use the phone, that I was lost, but two of the employees could barely speak English. They brought the manager out, and I asked her what city I was in and what the store address was because I was going to call my husband. She immediately got an attitude that no "you can't use the phone, you didn't even ask, use the payphone outside." When I said I had no money, she countered, "That's not my problem, use the payphone outside." Mind you, my mental state was feeble by this time, and I began crying uncontrollably, saying "So, what do I do?" Thank the Lord, a good samaritan and her son gave me a dollar and some change to make a call outside and she even offered me to use her cell phone, but the 7-11 manager broke down and let me use the phone. I called R. and with their help, they instructed me to tell him where I was and where to exit on the beltway. When I got off the phone, the good samaritan saw if I need any further help and the manager offered me water, but I just went outside to wait and continue crying for several more minutes, no reason...I just couldn't stop sobbing. I hated causing such a scene, I was so embarassed, but I couldn't have finished that extra long run without R. sending out a search party for me. He picked me up 15 minutes later; he had actually reparked the car on Rock Creek and jumped back on his bike to look for me since it warmed up.
Now I have a wicked headache (dehydration) and nausea from lunch, which have foiled our plans for the evening. We were supposed to meet R.'s friends visiting from Florida and take them to Brickskellar, this cool DC pub that has Guiness Book's record for most beer/wine offering in a single location. I sent R. to see them. I tried to make myself eat dinner to restore lost calories, and I'm going to attempt to start reading for my upcoming class before calling it a night early. A lame day but I'm sure tomorrow will be better.
Posted by Leilani at January 15, 2005 08:04 PM
Comments
Ugh. This totally reminded me of a run I did over the summer. I think part of the reason we react by freaking out is that we just feel so stupid for ending up in these situations, but I'm glad to hear that it turned out okay. You're right, tomorrow will almost certainly be better, as will your next long run. 17.5 is still a really good run, I'm sure you'll get your 20s in there somewhere.
Posted by: Alison at January 15, 2005 10:14 PM
Wow, this is some story! That store owner was a jerk-I am SURE you didn't look dangerous!! That is so ridiculous and really unbelievable! I am glad you got home safely!! The good samaritan was VERY nice though. I hope the rest of your weekend is better. Feel better!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Audrey at January 17, 2005 10:00 AM
Sorry about your bad experience Leilani! That really stinks...but you got through it and now when you tell the story later on...it will be funny (okay...maybe it will be funny :). I'm glad you're safe though and from now on I think I'll boycott 7-11's. :) (I never go to them anyway...so now I have an excuse! :) Keep your head up...and keep up all your hard work. I know it will pay off!
Posted by: Beth at January 17, 2005 07:18 PM
That sucks so much. I am so sorry that you got lost and that you had such a rotten experience at 7-11. I will also boycott them in your honor!
I hope you start to feel close to 100% soon, take care and good call with running inside until your cough is better.
Posted by: Barb at January 19, 2005 05:20 PM
Aw, poor Lei! I'm so sorry to hear about this. There are definitely some mean people in this world. But, lucky for us, there are people like yourself who always have such a positive attitude about everything :)
Posted by: Sherry at January 20, 2005 09:22 PM