Started running from the Wharf just after 4:00 a.m. with a temperature of 72 degrees while the high for the day reached 85 degrees with fairly high humidity. Heading onto the trail in Georgetown, I could have used a second headlamp to provide more visibility. Throughout the day, I saw plenty of wildlife including numerous herons, two owls, a number of frogs, deer, and one beaver swimming along the canal. I encountered three trail detours along the route, but all were easy to follow. There are water refill stations and bathrooms about every five miles. The C & O no longer treats the water with iodine so a water filter or iodine tablets are required. I opted to carry my normal .5 liter soft flaks with liquid calories and use my two liter bladder with a filter attached to refill the soft flasks. My back was certainly tired by the end, since I carried way more calories than I consumed. I highly recommend this route if you're training for a flat, fast 100 miler. It’s easy to follow and feels safe with all the cyclists and dog walkers around. The C & O is a nice dirt-packed trail for a large portion of this route. I opted for road shoes, but the muddy sections were slippery. All of my pictures are blurry, between the humidity and my sweat, I couldn't get my phone camera clean. I mentally visualized reaching the bridge to West Virginia all day. Was surprised that it was only visible about a quarter mile away, but it was a joyous sight. Thankfully, the bridge wasn’t too crowded as it can be on the weekend. Shout out to my husband Matt for dropping me off, picking me up, and planning our celebratory dinner.