My Muddy Shoes

Dear Nature Runners:

Leah K. here with the 411 on our weekend run.

It is going to be hot this Saturday. Very hot. And humid. You may not be ready for the hot, humid conditions on Saturday morning at Patuxent River State Park. No one will judge you if you decide to sit this one out. As Coach Phil has reminded us many times, it takes a couple weeks to adapt to running in hot and humid conditions. Why? Because you LITERALLY grow more blood vessels and make more blood volume as you adapt. You’re amazing! But you may not be all the way amazing yet. So if you are planning to come out on Saturday, here are some strategies for dealing with the heat:

1. Prehydrate. Drink a lot of fluids tomorrow (adult beverages and coffee don’t count) so that you don’t come to the run in a deficit. Ideally, you are drinking enough that your urine is pale or transparent.
2. When you do run, cut back and/or go slow. This will not be a day for heroics. One to two loops is plenty, and you don’t have to run at all in order to hang and eat snacks. No one is keeping score.
3. Ice, ice baby. I like to put some ice in my Rabbit Ice Bandana<tm> and wrap it around my neck. You can improvise by folding any bandana in half and sewing the sides partway, leaving openings for ice. Or just pile some in your hat.

I will bring ice for stuffing, ice water, and the usual buncha cans of stuff on ice. And the salty/sweet snacks box.

NOTE: If there are thunderstorms (imminent or occurring) then we don’t run, and this could be a game time call.

Speaking of snacks, Patuxent River State Park is a Muddy Shoes favorite for its proximity to one of the 10 best burger joints in the DMV, Sunshine General Store. No, you cannot get a tofurkey wrap there, but they do have eggy breakfast sammiches, in addition to burgers.

OK, announcements then run details:

The My Muddy Shoes Summer Fat Ass is happening again! Coach Mike (Chau) has reserved the pavilion and the date is set for Saturday July 25th. Great event. More details coming!

Now for the run details…

Location: Patuxent River State Park

Address: 23222 Georgia Ave, Brookeville, MD 20833

Date: 04 July 2026

Time: 0730

Course: Cemetery Trail to Flowing Free Trail. Go clockwise then counterclockwise. Feel free to hit the Blue Trail as well.

Caltopo: https://caltopo.com/m/T007L

Distance: 3.75 mile loop repeated a couple times. Like I said, no heroics, please. I will be there until 1030 to support you.

Pace: Fast, slow and in-between

Vibe: Chill…very chill!

Hope to C U there cuz THESE TRAILS AIN’T GONNA RUN THEMSELVES!

Namaste,

Muddy Shoes