December Winter Conditioning Runs: 4-6 miles - Discovery Park

Meet at 5:30 pm at Discovery Park *East Parking Lot* (off 36th Avenue West). Following introductions, description of route and current trail conditions, plan to start running by 5:40 pm. No passes required. Toilets available near starting point at Discovery Park Visitor Center.

Directions: From 15th Ave W, just south of the Ballard Bridge, head west on W Emerson Place. After you cross the railroad tracks, turn right onto Gilman Ave W. In a few blocks Gilman changes names and becomes W Government Way. Just beyond 36th Ave W, enter Discovery Park and turn into the second driveway on the left (the first is a one-way exit.) This leads to the East Parking Lot near the Visitor Center. For those traveling by bus, Metro Route 33 has a stop on W Government Way just east of the park.

We will follow two loops for ~6 miles total distance with 793 ft elevation gain, following the Loop and South Beach Trails. We will look to do an avg pace of 4 mph: moderate to fast (depending on group comfort) hike uphill and 4.5-5.0 mph straighaway and downhill. Goal is for everyone to run at a conversational pace, which means you can talk in complete sentence without gasping for air, can easily breath through your nose, and have an average heart rate typically less than 140 (75% of max heart rate).  Shouldn't be huffing and puffing.

For a complete description of  trail running with the Mountaineers, please consult the Trail Running Standards.

Gaia route:  TBD

Seattle Parks webpage: https://www.seattle.gov/parks/allparks/discovery-park

Full details will be soon after registration closes on Dec 18. In the interim, please contact the leader with any questions at ashexembers@icloud.com.