Stacie's Top Five...

I don't often run on the National Mall.  Visit, yes.  Run, no.  Many ask me why.  While a history buff at heart, and a monument lover, the allure of the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial hardly overcome the reasons I choose not to run through this symbol of freedom and constancy.  Tonight, however, I decided to give it a shot since its been several months since my last venture in that direction and see if my reasons still held true.  In fact, they do, and for those who question the sanity of my decision to run through residential DC instead of this fantastic open space I am providing my top five reasons.

5.  Running all the way to the Lincoln Memorial on an evening threatening rain puts me 2.5 miles away from the shelter of my office building or car.  Running through the residential areas up by the Capitol means I'm never more than 1.5 miles away. 

4.  The run includes coming back up the deceptive hill toward the Capitol Building.  Its not called Capitol Hill for nothing.

3.  You run the risk of being pelted by a kick ball or softball during the late spring and summer months when the competitive season is in full swing.

2.  The bicycle rider who is not only riding on the sidewalks of this relatively "bike on the road" friendly town, but weaves all over the sidewalk so that runners are restricted from passing for fear of finishing the run with tire tracks over their midsection.

1.  Tourists who walk five abreast on the narrow paths and refuse to yield to a single runner trying to squeeze out a foot of space to the right or left of the gaggle. 

So as you can see, this obstacle course - which rivals the best obstacles Warrior Dash or Spartan Race can put up - definitely does not allow me to find my meditative zone, which is one of the primary reasons I run.  I think I'll just keep the Mall for visiting the sites instead of running.

Looking forward, I'll be on planes most of the next two days, so I will be taking a break from the road.  Actually I could use the days off.  For one, I've been suffering through one of the perils of running in the rain last Sunday in the form of blisters caused by running in wet socks.  For another, my muscles need some time off.  Since I've already hit my goal miles for the month, this travel-imposed break won't set e back.  Yay.  Happy trails!

Stats -
Miles:  7.3
Time:   1:02:30 (average pace of 8:33 per mile)
Location:  the National Mall, Capitol Hill, Stanton Park
Feeling:  Pretty good, no stress relief though thanks to the tourists