The cure for exhaustion...

I'm exhausted. In fact, today's route was a sarcastic nod to one of the reasons I arrived at work today completely spent. Aside from a nagging work related question that seemed to permeate my dreams (how sad is that), my collie Duncan was too restless for his own good. I can't really say if he just was not comfortable or too excited, but I do know that when the alarm went of and I started rising, he made a jubilant beeline to the door so he could go see the cat. Are you kidding me?!?!?!

Anyway, Duncan I love you but you suck. So here's to you! In your honor, I ran up to 13th before cutting over to Lincoln Park just so I could get a photo of your street sign. All the way up where the streets are dead. I know you'll never read this post, unless you've not only miraculously grown intelligence but also managed to learn English words aside from "food" "toy" "play" "down" "sit" "shake" or "out" but I'm talking to you anyway. I hope somehow you sort out all this energy today while I'm at work so we can get a solid 7-8 hours of sleep tonight.

Ultimately, though, running is a great pick-me-up if you are dragging through the day. It certainly worked for me and I highly recommend trying it out the next time you feel like a coffee IV is the only way you will survive. You just might surprise yourself. I did...after last night's workout and the restless night I should have been sluggish, but the stats will tell you something different. Perhaps that means I can do better on real sleep? We'll see. Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles: 5.22
Time: 42:44 (average pace of 8:11 per mile)
Location: Capitol Hill, Lincoln Park, Stanton Park
Feeling: A little tight in the legs from last night

There was an old lady who swallowed a fly...

You may recall about a month ago I posted an entry about why I wear sports sunglasses rather religiously while running...to keep the bugs out of my eyes. Perhaps I should add a mouth guard after ingesting the unexpected extra protein today in the form of a gnat. And here I thought I was already getting the right amount of protein in my diet...I'm also certain this is not what the nutritionists mean when they take about fueling during a run. After that little incident, it took me at least another mile to get the old nursery rhyme "there was an old lady who swallowed a fly" out of my head.

Today, following on yesterday, I also managed to notice a few new things while cruising the streets. My dog will be proud to know that I crossed "Duncan Place" today. It's a crappy little one way road off 13th Street NE between E Street NE and D Street NE. My collie would be so proud to know Washington DC named a street after him :). I also noticed a tiny little park area off North Carolina Avenue, SE - across from Eastern Market - decorated with little concrete turtles. I don't know the significance of the turtles. Maybe I'll check for a placard next time.

All in all it was a run to get in the miles and not particularly comfortable. We had a brief rain today that did little more than stir up the pollen so it interfered greatly with breathing. What I wouldn't give for a great downpour to clear it all out. Oh well, better luck next time. Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles: 4.22
Time: 36:06 (average pace of 8:33 per mile)
Location: Capitol Hill, Lincoln Park, Stanton Park
Feeling: If this pollen keeps up, I'm going to carry my inhaler