Speak Out: Bike Safety on the Trails

Following the tragic death of a pedestrian on Four Mile Run Trail, Patch readers are speaking about bike safety.

In his weekly biking column, Patch contributer Mark Blacknell revisited this recent tradegy: On Monday morning, Ita Lapina was out for a walk on Four Mile Run Trail. According to the police, a cyclist travelling in the same direction rang his bell and called out “to your left!” as he attempted to pass. Lapina stepped to the left as she turned towards the cyclist, who struck her. She fell, hitting her head on the trail. She succumbed to her injuries Monday evening. Blacknell also discussed bike safety, the importance of sharing the trails among walkers, runners and cyclists and some common rules of the road - some of his suggestions are as easy as installing a bike bell. As always, the topic of bike safety set off a heated debate on Patch. …

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Nation's Triathlon: Arlington's Fisette Finishes 16 Minutes Behind D.C.'s Brown

Nation's Triathlon sees beautiful weather and raises $2.75 million for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Jay Fisette still hates running. But the Arlington County Board member said he "just got through" the 10K run in Sunday's Nation's Triathlon. The 40K bike course made up for it, he said.  "The route was just beautiful," Fisette said. "It's a really great layout for a triathlon." The route took participants past the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials, and up Canal Road and Clara Barton Parkway into Maryland. Fisette's best event, the one-mile swim course, was cancelled due to flooding. He posted a time of 2:26:06 in the two-part triathlon, and he worked for it. "I know I've got lots of muscles in my legs, because now I'm feeling every one of them," Fisette said Monday. D.C. Council Chairman Kwame Brown finished at 2:10:24. Brown, 40, is 15 …

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Arlington's Fisette, D.C.'s Brown Face Off Sunday in Nation's Triathlon

Race organizers cancel swimming portion, eliminating Arlington's Fisette's best event.

Jay Fisette hates running. Until January, he had never even been on a treadmill. But when the Arlington County Board member decided to participate in the Nation's Triathlon, he figured it was time to become a runner. "A lot of this is about what condition your heart is in, your cardiovascular health," Fisette said. "If you have that, then it's just a matter of learning the motions of running, swimming, biking." Fisette has the swimming down. In high school he was an All-American swimmer, and he has kept fit through swimming ever since. That's why the rain over the past week, with some localities along the Potomac getting up to 10 inches, has really put a damper on Fisette's plans for his first Olympic-length triathlon. Race organizers and …

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Dating in Ballston

Athletic Dates

Some ideas for some fun outside, athletic dates in Ballston.

Athletic dates are a recipe for success during the outdoor dating season. It's not too hot, so you don't have to worry about your date dying of heat stroke; The athletic activity of choice will provide entertainment, taking the pressure off of you to keep conversation rolling; And, best of all, the release of endorphins is known to trigger the release of hormones causing you both to feel more than just a "Runner's High" while you play the day away. To get the date in to "the swing" of things, bring your rackets to the tennis courts at Quincy Park. You can reserve a court online at: https://registration.arlingtonva.us/wsc/cgiip.exe/WService=wsrtlive/wb1000.html?wbp=1  If you are looking for a more secluded court, you could try out the …

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