long training run in Bethesda?

[Anonymous]

I am training to run the Rockville Parks half marathon and want to do a long run through Rock Creek Park this weekend. Problem? I have never run the trails there. Is there a 10 - 12 mile option? If so, where do I start? TIA

[Anonymous]

Of course. RCP runs from Rockville to the Kennedy Center and even then you could go over the bridge into VA and run to Mt. Vernon!

From where do you want to start?

[Anonymous]

Use the "map my run" website to plan your route. We once went for an 8 mile hike that turned out to be 11 miles due to my sloppy estimating with the trail map.

[Anonymous]

OP here - thanks - I did try map my run, but it kept wanting to take me to Conneticut avenue. Thinking I should probably loop since I will have a car, I also don't want to run back uphill on the last 6 miles. So, I guess I start in DC?

[Anonymous]

Do you want trail running or on road? If trail, I love doing the western ridge trail up to Maryland, taking the Valley trail back to Military and the closed portion of Beach drive. I'm guessing that parking by the mill would give you about 10 miles.

[Anonymous]

btw- Map My Run has these trails marked out, so it's pretty easy to plan a route.

[Anonymous]

to 14:46 - Where is the mill? Am looking on MMR. Don't mind doing trail running but have not done much in the past. I want to avoid doing too much uphill on the second half of my run.

[Anonymous]

It's where Park Road and Tilden meet Beach Drive. If you want to avoid hills on the way back, I would suggest taking the Western Ridge Trail up to Maryland and then heading back on Beach Drive the whole way. The Valley Trail has some hills.

[Anonymous]

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Why not just run the Capitol Crescent?

[Anonymous]

Do people run the Bethesda trolley trail? Where does that go?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why not just run the Capitol Crescent?

My thought, too. It's beautiful. I did all my long runs there training for the Nike Women's Half in the spring.

[Anonymous]

google "GMAP Pedometer" and when you get to the website, type in your zip code and zoom in. Choose the "manual" option (not the one recommended for runners - it's wrong) and then you can draw a route on whatever trail or roads you like and you'll know the mileage - where you should turn around, etc.

also, if you're serious about this, a wrist GPS is great.

From bethesda, I would run the Capitol Crescent or drive a short distance to the Rock Creek Park trail. (I think the PP is referring to Peirce Mill.)

[Anonymous]

Where would you want to start? Rock Creek is so large.

The capitol crescent trail in the daylight hours is safest since there are so many people on the trail. Then again, so many people, you need to be the one saying 'passing'. From Bethesda, near Barnes and Noble to Georgetown is about 7 miles. When you come back, you will be starving, and the restaurants there are good choices.

You can go to the Candy Cane city in Chevy Chase, park car there-there's a porter potty there, that's why I'm suggesting that. Follow the paved path into Rock Creek. You can either follow the paved paths and go into the street that leads onto Beach Drive-parts of that Beach Drive is closed off and only pedestrians are allowed. And up the hill (where vehicle traffic starts again) or run on the side or into the forest on unpaved paths. But, you can get lost in there if you are not on the main road and topography varies.

I have taken part of this path. Start at Lake Needwood in Rockville, follow the paved path. This is the Rock Creek Trail. It takes you to the overpass at Viers Mill rd near Aspen Hill park, go towards Garrett Park, leads to Beach Drive, all the way into Chevy Chase. Though, it's might be longer than 13 miles. I think if you stop at Beach drive near Grosvenor metro station, that might be about 9 miles.
Or start at anywhere along the Rock Creek Trail.

Otherwise, when you get into Chevy Chase, you have the option of going towards the direction of candy cane city playground where you can continue into the Rock Creek DC part OR to the Georgetown Branch Trail, near intersection of Jones Mill Road/Jones Bridge Rd, leads you to Connecticut Ave&Chevy Chase Lake Drive)-a bagel place and coffee!

If you want to continue, you on the Georgetown Branch Trail, it's where the Capitol Crescent trail starts. It leads you into downtown Bethesda.

There are a few spots that have secondary paths but there are signs. From Needwood to Chevy Chase, occasional cyclists are on this path, but definately not as busy as Capitol Crescent. Some spots can be pretty quiet so take caution.

Look at google map and zoom in on specific pathways and you can see the Rock Creek Trail is mostly in the forest.
Good Luck!


Candy Cane city playground
address:
7901 Meadowbrook Lane
Chevy Chase, MD 20815

[Anonymous]

Thanks all! I ended up doing 11 in RCP starting from Pierce milk and running up 5 ish and back. Loved it. Next time will try Capital Crescent. Excellent help all. Really appreciate it.