10.5.14: The longest run of my Philadelphia Marathon training plan fell on the first weekend of October, and the cool early fall air was a great excuse to get out of the city for my run. To fill in a gap on the C&O Canal Towpath that I had yet to cover, I traveled to Point of Rocks, Maryland. This town is located along the Potomac River, at the point where the Piedmont meets the Blue Ridge. U.S. 15, a major north-south road, crosses the river here. This portion of the towpath runs alongside railroad tracks that lead to the Brunswick rail yard just to the west, and also features the Catoctin Creek aqueduct, one of a handful that carry the canal and towpath across streams.

It was definitely a gorgeous day for a run, with signs of fall beginning to show in the leaves around the towpath.