The training program Clint and I have been using is based on time and not mileage. However, for me I have always been a distance tracker and have a hard time basing my workouts on time. If the program call for a 45 minute run, I pick a 5 mile course. 9:00 minute miles, 9x5=45 bingo, there is my workout. Well, this weeks long ride called for 2:45 minutes in the saddle. After some simple calculations I decided it was time to ride to the "end of the trail."
To understand the "end of the trail" here is a brief history on the W&OD Trail: The 100-foot wide Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park (W&OD) is one of the skinniest parks in the commonwealth of Virginia, but also one of the longest — 45 miles in length. The W&OD takes its name from the railroad whose trains ran along the right-of-way from 1859 until 1968. The entrepreneurs who founded the rail line dreamed of bringing coal and other riches from the Appalachians to the Port of Alexandria, but those dreams were never fully realized. Less than a decade after it was built, the railroad was almost destroyed during the Civil War.
After the war, the railroad was slowly rebuilt and then saw a series of changes of ownership and objectives. The heyday of the W&OD came early in the 20th Century, when it provided service three times daily from Alexandria to Falls Church, Leesburg and Purcellville, with stops at such hamlets as Dunn Loring, Hunter Station and Paeonian Springs.
When the W&OD ceased operations in 1968, the Virginia Electric and Power Company (VEPCO -- later Virginia Power, and now Dominion Power) bought the right-of-way for its electric power transmission lines. The Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority tried for years to acquire the use of the railroad right-of-way. Agreement was finally reached in 1977 for NVRPA to purchase the right-of-way in stages. The purchase was completed in 1982.
The first segment of the W&OD Trail was opened in 1974 within the City of Falls Church. This portion was built as the result of a special agreement with VEPCO under which the Regional Park Authority was allowed to judge whether a trail of this sort would prove to be popular. It did, and so, after the property was purchased, the trail was built in sections until its completion to Purcellville in 1988. Trail users today may enjoy 45 miles of asphalt trail and 32.5 miles of crushed stone and dirt bridle paths. In 1987, the W&OD was designated a National Recreation Trail by the U.S. Department of the Interior.
The closest spot on the trail to our house is at mile marker 24 almost dead smack in the middle. If I head toward DC, it becomes busy with people and lots of roads to cross. However, if I head west through Leesburg and out into the country there are very few people ever seen and hardly a road to cross. So, I headed out early Monday morning with the goal of making it to Purcellville and the end of the trail and then turning around and heading home. A total of 42 miles.
I am happy to say that I made it there and back and I now understand why people love to cycle. It was one of the most peaceful enjoyable 2 hrs and 34 minutes I could spend while absolutely wrecking my legs. After passing through the town of Leesburg, I spent a solid 2 miles climbing on a 3% grade to the highest point on the trail at Clarks Gap, and then cranked it up on the descent into the town of Purceville passing quaint farms and tiny towns like Paeonian Springs and Hamilton. The return to Clarks Gap took a toll on my legs as it was as much uphill as it was downhill on the way out. I nice recovery as you descend into Leesburg hitting speeds as high as 30mph and finally a good solid 10 miles back to Rt. 28 and the car. It was an awesome experience and an even better workout.
However, the real excitement of the day came that afternoon when Allison and I packed the kids in the car to head back to the trail. You see, there is someone else in the Buytenhuys family who is training for a race, and she had to get a workout in. Once back out at the trail I took care of Julia in the stroller with Molly riding her bike by my side, while Emma and Allison took off in front. Allison was running just as fast as a mother of four week old could run trying to keep up with Emma on her bike. If you are wondering what Allison is training for, well you have the wrong person. The one in training is Emma, she is getting ready for her first Duathlon on June 7th. A 200 yard run, 400 yard bike and 200 yard run. She rode her bike just over 2 miles with Allison running behind and so I think she will be ready. We are so proud of her and hope that her enthusiasm lasts till race day.
Tuesday was a day off from training and today it was a morning run with the family and 60 minutes on my trainer in the basement. Heading to the pool in the morning. Hope everyone is doing well, I know I am. Just a little tired.
