Overall Run - Heiskill Hollow Loop hike

 

I joined a meetup hike along Overall Run - Heiskill Hollow Loop, Long Version for 16.5 miles with 3600 feet elevation gain on a cold day. There was some snow left from last night. I took several photos, and shared the better photos took by other hikers.

The trails were covered with leaves and quite slippery. I fell twice and got some bruises on my legs.

I did some grocery shopping after the hike, and then ran 3.5 miles in the dark to complete my 20 hike/run miles weekend goal.

Theater J : Prayer for The French Republic

 I went in DC this Sunday to usher for Theater J Performance: Prayer for The French Republic. The play digs into worry of safety of a Jewish family living in post–World War II Paris and their descendants in 2016–2017. DC down town was kind of empty this afternoon. Did I feel safe walking by homeless by myself this afternoon? Not really. There are hate crimes targeted Asians as well.

White Oak Canyon/Cedar Run Loop plus Hawksbill peak

 

I joined a friend’s hike on Saturday over White Oak Canyon/Cedar Run Loop plus Hawksbill peak for 13 miles with 3500 feet elevation gain. It was cold and windy half of the time.

There was delay due to an slow uphill hiker, so I got back home already dark after a winery stop and grocery shopping. I was too busy to run on Sunday, so I ran ~ 5 miles Monday afternoon plus 2 mile jog from Metro to Theater J on Sunday, I completed my 20 hike/run miles weekend goal.

Sam’s Ridge, Hazel Mountain and Hazel River Trails

 

I took a meetup hike along Sam’s Ridge, Hazel Mountain and Hazel River Trails for 13.2 miles with 3200 feet elevation gain in a perfect early winter weather. I managed to stay try after several stream crossings.

We shared some drinks after the hike, and done of us re-group at the winery for another run. It was too dark to run Saturday late afternoon, so I ran 7 miles on Sunday to complete my 20 hike/run miles weekend goal.

Cool Spring, Raven Rock, Blackburn Center Loop

 

I signed up a hike to tone my body after the 2.5 month overseas trip which was stretched into 19.2 mile (~ 31km) with 3145 feet elevation gain hike wide beyond my body capacity. I also struggled with jet lag. I swallowed pain killers to keep going and finished the hike of Cool Spring, Raven Rock, Blackburn Center Loop.

I caught the tail of the foliage, enjoyed a soft chair and the swing chair in the Blackburn center, and then some snacks and drinks after the hike contributed by kind fellow hikers. What a day!

met an old friend @ IAD

 

I was eager to get back to my workout routine; however, I had to skip a hike to meet up with an old friend on Sunday. I only ran 6 miles ( ~10 km) after landing DC for 24 hours. It is cold in DC （55f = 13c) and at the end of foliage.

I hadn’t seen this friend for years. We tried to meet in China or Taiwan, yet finally did it at IAD airport for about 1.5 hours before she departed for TX.

A play: Fiddler on the Roof at the Reston Community Center

 I dozed off while unpacking backpacks of my 2.5-month oversea trip, and almost missed tonight’s usher for Fiddler on the Roof at the Reston Community Center. I watched the movie while I was studying at high school, that was very different from this musical comedy version. I was touched by the heartwarming story of fathers and daughters, husbands and wives, and life, love and laughter. The fact that I stayed awake for the 3-hr play after 24-hr flights said something about how good the play was. You should come to Reston to see it.

Hike and Potluck

 

Our old hiking friends Denise & Pietro are back in Virginia to volunteer as camp masters at the Methew’s Arm camp site in the Shenandoah National Park.

They kindly organized a Hike and Potluck today. We hiked Sugar Loaf Loop Short Version: Length 8.26 mi Elev. Gain 1,604 ft, then shared food, drinks, and wonderful conversations.

I ran 9 miles and swam 20 laps on Sunday to complete my 20 hike/run/swim miles weekend goal.