Your friendly PSA...

As a runner, I am pretty conscientious about following the rules of the road.  Safety is always a big concern.  I stick to sidewalks as long as they are available.  I wear bright colors if I'll be running on the road.  I watch before crossing.  I only wish drivers paid half as much attention to following the rules of the road.

So here's your friendly public service announcement this week...drivers, when you come to a red light or even just a stop sign, stop where indicated.  No, the crosswalk wasn't put there to get you closer to the intersection, it's actually for pedestrians...or runners like me trying to use sidewalks to stay out of your way.  Tonight I had to battle and swerve around at least three cars that decided to stop on the crosswalk.  It was a close call with one crazy driver who obviously didn't see the runner crossing, appropriately in the crosswalk, and nearly drove into me.

Law breaking drivers aside, I enjoyed the chilly dusk run.  No lunch time today, so I hit the pavement after work.  It was quiet, the legs were moving and, aside from a few drivers, no obstacles to a good run.  Top off the fact that all my muscle groups have decided to work together again, who can be in a bad mood finishing up a run in the shadow of the Capitol Dome lit up against the night sky. 

In all, February didn't turn out to be a fantastic mileage month, but looking back at last year's log it was a lower month then too.  Maybe I can turn February 2014 into a Feburary where I hit my mileage.  Until then, I'll just plan on more miles (and hopefully getting back into my speed groove) in March.  I can do it.  Lots of opportunities.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  5.66
Time:   50:43 (average pace of 8:57 per mile)
Feeling:  the blister on my left big toe from the 1/2 marathon rubs a bit after a few miles, but the hamstring is finally stretching out a bit

Getting things rolling...

Four days in....that's it, but I'm working to establish the right pacing routine for the year.  Mathematically, I need to lay down about 28 miles per week to hit my yearly mileage target.  That's about sixish miles per week more than last year.  It doesn't seem like much, but it can be challenging if you have a difficult schedule.  Nonetheless, I'm committed.

That's why, today, I went out for six miles on a weekday as opposed to four to five (that and this week is short in the grand scheme of things since the 1st fell on a Tuesday).

I have to say, if you are going to push more out of your weekday run, today was the day to do it.  It was beautiful out.  The sun was shining, the air temperature was a balmy 45 degrees and the roads from Capitol Hill to RFK stadium were nice and quiet.  My legs and lungs were working in concert and my ipod was pumping out motivation through my ear pods.  The road, or rather the sidewalk, was my friend, even though my left hamstring is still a little hinky.

I have to say, it took a lot of strength not to take a picture of an ornamental Woodstock (you know...Snoopy's friend), who seemed to have a little too much fun on New Year's and fell from his perch on a swing near Stanton Park.  Aside from that, I was really left to my own thoughts, which means I had work on my mind this week.  Oh well, still a cleansing effort.

This leaves me with nine more miles to do this weekend.  I can honestly say I'm really looking forward to it.  While I had many 25-30 miles weeks in 2012, they weren't necessary.  Changing the mindset to making them "necessary" is a great adventure...perhaps I can get to 30-35 miles per week.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  6.01
Time:   54:16 (average pace of 9:01 per mile)
Location:  Capitol Hill, Stanton Park, Lincoln Park, RFK Stadium
Feeling:  the attitude is great...the hamstring okay

New year, some old routines...

When embarking on the new (as in new goals or new adventures), sometimes bringing along parts of the old routine help bridge looking down the tunnel toward the finish line.  It's only the second day of the year, but I'm glad for old routines and old routes to get me through otherwise tough runs. 

The first couple months of running for the yearly goal mileage are always the toughest...early in setting out to meet new goals is the most vulnerable time. It's easy to say "I'm not really too far into this, so I'm not wasting much if I quit now."  Once you've hit, say, the 30% goal, you've just put too much into to stop.  At least that's how it is for me.  Those vulnerable days are when habits and routines help you puch through.

Today was a tough run.  My hamstrings were tight (some old habits and routines - such as not stretching right after a long run like yesterday - are not the good ones to fall back on) and the air was cold and slightly windy.  There was lots to be done and  time is always short.  I could have found a hundred reasons to put off running until I was religated to the treadmill.  Instead I put my big girl panties on and took that first step out the door.

Not fast, not slow, but one foot in front of the other and after a half mile or so I was glad I didn't make an excuse to skip my daily one on one time.  The streets of one of my most regular routes were quiet and comfortable, mucle memory kicked in and - though the hamstring never loosened up...must hit the icy hot tonight - I got it done. 

Tomorrow (or the next day) will feel as awesome as January 1...they can't all feel great.  Happy trails!

Stats -
Miles:  3.81
Time:   33:52 (average pace of 8:53 per mile)
Location:  Capitol Hill, Lincoln Park, Stanton Park
Feeling:  one of these days I will get a hamstring transplant...in the meantime, muscle tightness feels just like old times

Spiking the football...

My end zone dance looks a bit like Ickey Woods, but who the heck cares...I hit 1000 miles today!  Slam dunk!  Goal!  Move over second rate college quarterbacks, I'm taking home the Heisman this year.  Did I get a little too carried away?  I don't think so, after all I took down my new year's resolution a whole month early.

It wasn't easy today, that's for sure.  Due to a crazy work schedule, I lost two days of running this week.  Getting home from work after midnight and getting back up at 5am meant I was tired to begin with.  It took a lot of drive to get out the door and put in enough miles to cross the finish line, but the pull to claim victory over one month earlier than I calculated as doable last January was greater than the exhaustion...and the blisters forming on my feet.

It seems fitting to put to bed the goal around the city that has played such an influential role in many running firsts for me...Though several years ago, it's still the first city in which I ran a 10 miler and a marathon...several since both those.  It's also provided me with the routes to shed my stress through running when life becomes too much.  On this particular run I headed for some familiar sites and some new pavement.  From Stanton Park, to Lincoln Park, to RFK Stadium, to Eastern Market, past many Smithsonian museums - dodging a gazillion tourists - to the Washington Monument and finishing up near the US Capitol, it was a beautiful day, beautiful weather, and the run felt awesome.  To cap it off, I finished while Colbie Caillat's "Brighter than the Sun" was blasting through the ipod....kindof perfect.

As I was running, and knowing I was going to pass this milestone, I began thinking about what I learned over the past 11 months of pushing myself out the door on days I couldn't wait to run, and days I needed a bit more motivation than seemed to be available to me.  This really was a journey of self-discovery.  Here are just some of things I learned this year, the good, the bad and the ones that need more work:

• I am capable.  Capable of setting a goal and figuring out what I needed to do to finish it.
• I am strong.  Strong enough in body to muscle through the weak days and strong enough in mind to push myself when necessary.
• I am committed.  Committed to making sure I know the value of goals.  Committed to keeping myself fit in mind and body.  Committed to setting a positive example for my family and friends, but most importantly my daughter.
• I am crazy.  Yes, I am willing to do some things that others deem crazy - crazy distances, crazy times of day for runs, crazy to get up and go out for a jog in a blizzard.  I am crazy to ignore injuries in pursuit of goals, when those injuries could become so much worse.
• I am sensitive, but bullet proof.  I am sensitive enough to get my back up when people flippantly say to me "1000 miles?  I bet I've done that.  That's pretty easy."  But bullet proof because I've learned to let the silly comments of others roll off.
• I am self-conscious.  I have body image issues and I recognize it.  It's hard to listen when a friend tells me I look strong, when inside I'm telling myself I need to lose 15 more pounds and tone up this and that muscle group.
• I am thankful.  Thankful for my own perseverence.  Thankful for all those who helped me throughout the year by putting in the miles with me and always willing to provide moral support.
• I am blessed.  Blessed with good health.  Blessed with great friends and blessed with great family.
• I am awesome.

Who knows what I'll be able to achieve in the next month, but I'm looking forward to it. Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  11.02
Time:   1:39:46 (average pace of 9:03 per mile)
Location:  all about the greater Capitol Hill neighborhood
Feeling:  VICTORY!!!

Only in Washington, right?....

Thanksgiving is an interesting time of year, but the week is even more interesting when you get outside the office for a run through the streets of Washington, DC.  That's right...today provided plenty to look at but I'll focus on three interesting things.

So we're experiencing a bit of warm up, but not so much to get back into the summer running clothes.  I split the kitty by wearing one of my favorite pairs of red running shorts and a long sleeve black Brooks running shirt that was a Celtic Solstice 5 miler premium from four or five years ago.  Not my most stylish running apparel.  Why is this important?  Well, because I got to play a small role in an on location shoot at the Capitol building as I ran across the East front of the building.  For the life of me I have no idea why a news crew was shooting in front of the Capitol on perhaps that second most dead week of the year for Congress...but anyway they caught me in all my stylish and swift glory.

Second, on this still chilly but slightly warmer day as I'm cruising along enjoying a nice cleansing run, I almost trip over a a bag piper in full regalia walking along.  Really?  Umm, don't these guys travel in packs and generally have an obvious reason for being in a specific place?  I couldn't figure out what he could possibly be doing where he was at that time, alone and looking cold....don't they go pantiless? 

Third, if you've been through DC lately you know the Supreme Court has been in the process of getting a bit of a face lift.  Nothing unusual in a town of historic buildings for sure.  I've watched the scaffolding rise up and envelop the building as I've run over the past few months.  What caught my eye today - as I was really attempting to keep my eye on the real prize of laying down a speedy run - was the fact that apparently the Supreme Court is concerned with appearances.  Oh yeah, while the scaffolding is up they apparently didn't want to deprive our great tourists of seeing the facade, so they had a life size canvas facade of the front of the building hung to hide the scaffolding.  Hello, we know that isn't real...

In all, I really enjoyed my run today.  My legs are really feeling great, my speed is picking back up, and I found plenty to be amused by.  Thanks DC for keeping it lively.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  4.25
Time:   36:06 (average pace of 8:29 per mile)
Location:  Capitol Hill, Stanton Park, Lincoln Park
Feeling:  better than I have in a couple months and loving it

Prepping for turkey...

Oh cold snap...its starting to get chilly out and today required a bit heavier clothing for my run.  Luckily I enjoy running in cooler weather and am totally prepared for the onset of winter.  Here's my rule of thumb when dressing to run in cooler temps...add 15 - 20 degrees to the actual temperature and that's what the run will feel like a mile or so into it.  So, if its 30 degrees, your core will think its 45 - 50 degrees and so on.  I've found this keeps me from over or under dressing too badly.

Today was about 40 - 45 degrees, so no hat for me (those come out around 30 degrees), but I did sport the running capris and long sleeve half zip with a shirt underneath.  It was comfortable and kept me appropriately toasty throughout my jaunt. 

And for my jaunt?  I'm really trying to hit the 1000 mile mark before the end of November without overdoing it on my body.  In fact, its quite obvious I've actually scaled back over the past couple weeks quite a bit.  My current plan is to hit my mark while still going into the 2013 running season healthy as a horse. 

This week I'm starting out small to save some miles for turkey day (gotta earn the pumpkin pie and mashed potatoes).  So today was a nice, easy, uneventful cruise through my usual areas around DC.  The cooler temperatures mean I'm alone on the streets...er sidewalks...and it was completely quiet.  Just me and my shoes slapping the pavement.  I'm delighted to not have any injuries nagging me right now and so I am finally starting to stretch back into my pace a bit.  Score.  I ended the run sweaty and feeling great.

God willing my speed will be up and ready for the Celtic Solstice 5 miler in December. In the meantime, I'll just keep working and adding up the miles.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  4.1
Time:   35:41 (average pace of 8:42 per mile)
Location:  Capitol Hill, Stanton Park, Lincoln Park
Feeling:  putting it back together to close the year on a high note

Recovering in the dark...

Running in the dark?  Isn't that against my rules?  Well, yeah, but it was the best I could come up with for a busy Friday.  Actually, it was still dusk when I hit the streets, so technically it became full dark after I started...and I was wearing the vizipro so folks could clearly see me coming from several miles away. 

Now that doesn't save me from my own two clumsy feet on uneven sidewalks, so I hit the most crooked, pocked sidewalks on the front end of the run when there was still a smidgen of light in the sky.  I made certain, knowing my own ability to trip over my rather large feet, that I was cruising down Pennsylvania Avenue and the Capitol complex when the last of the light disappeared.

It was a good, longish run.  Still sorting out the stiffness from Wednesday.  I'm really convinced that is from lack of use and I just need to put more miles on my legs.  Sound logic right?  Ha, anyway, as I'm getting closer and closer to putting to bed my resolution for the year (not that I will stop running once I hit it of course), I started thinking about what targets to set for next year.  Six miles gives you plenty of time to think about things like this.  I've got a few ideas stewing, but feel free to provide advice.

All good things must come to an end, of course, and so after crossing the East front of the Capitol all lights ablaze (a very awesome image if you haven't seen it in person), I headed back toward the car, and, low and behold ran into one of my Capitol Hill favorites!  After catching up on his personal life, the inner workings of Capitol Hill and exchanging sundry pleasantries, I finished up my last half-mile and packed it in for the day....gotta save something for my run tomorrow with Brie and Bryson.

Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  6.02
Time:   55:32 (average pace of 9:13 per mile)
Location:  Capitol Hill, Stanton Park, Lincoln Park
Feeling:  easy going, but still a little stiff

 

Stttrreettcchh.....

It's been a couple or three days since the 50K.  Honestly my body feels really great.  There is no soreness, perhaps a little stiffness but I can't tell if that is race or lack of movement during my self-imposed three day rest period.  It's been tough to slow down and give myself some time to recover rather than run this week. Grrr....

So today I could sit still no longer and headed out for a short, muscle stretching jog to loosen up anything that collected around my joints and start getting back in my groove.  Wow is something stiff in there.  I could not find any speed whatsoever.  I felt like I was working hard, but any time I checked my pace I was woefully short of where I usually am on your average Wednesday.  Actually, I could feel a little reluctance to open up in my hip flexors and as the hamstring inserts at the back of my knees.

All that aside, it was a pleasant day for a jaunt around Capitol Hill.  Me, the dog walkers and the nanny brigade all jostling for sidewalk space...never fear, I forced no babies into the busy streets of Washington, DC. 

Here's to hoping this whole body thing works itself out soon (I can't take these slower runs too much).  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  3.2
Time:   28:52 (average pace of 9:01 per mile)
Location:  Capitol Hill, Stanton Park, Lincoln Park
Feeling:  stiff and slow

Running for office...

Oh no, not me, at least not today.  While I run for fitness and to achieve personal goals, though, there were some minor elections occurring today in the US (said with a bit of understatement).  Since today is kind of a big day, I decided to shake it up a bit and take my run through Washington, DC for a little bit of a lesson in elections.

First and foremost, I will preface this post with the fact that I work in politics.  That's right, if you didn't already know or hadn't figured it out, I work in the Senate so I've watched these elections up close and personal for the past decade.  Therefore, you may get a little coloring throughout this lesson. 

So, from my starting point on Capitol Hill, I took off toward the National Mall (yes, I set aside my personal dislike for running the Mall in order to bring you today's post) to capture a shot of the memorial to the man who won the first election....You got it.  The Washington Monument.  This man declined to be the King of the newly independent United States (well it was a few years later, but you get the idea) and so launched the legacy of an elected head of state and government.  Thank you George for ensuring we didn't have a system based on hereditary succession or dictatorship.

Next on the run is the great house where that fine document establishing our system of government, the powers of the three co-equal branches of government (the President forgets this part quite regularly), and the Bill of Rights resides permanently - The Archives of the United States.  If you haven't been there, you should make a point of it once in your life.  It is a sight to behold putting your own eyes on the guiding document of modern democracy and the system for which so many fight today.

So onto the real meat of it....on the front of many minds are what will happen to the White House.  Obviously, this House is up for grabs. There are really only two primary candidates duking it out to lay their heads on the pillows in the President's bedroom (which incidentally is housed on the second - or residential floor).  Here's a bit of trivia for you...did you know that there is also a Queen's bedroom in the White House?  Yep, and its on the very opposite end of the hall from the President's bedroom.  Today there were no snipers on the roof, meaning the President isn't in residence.

After squeezing through the slew of tourists all lollygagging in front of the White House hoping they'll get a view of the man who isn't there, I turned back up the National Mall towards Capitol Hill (which really is on a hill that tends to kick my butt, especially on the back end of a run).  Next stop, the House that isn't up for grabs today....the illustrious Capitol building.  While earlier this year control over the two Houses of Congress looked to be in the works, we don't really anticipate any changes when it all shakes out tonight....or rather over the next several days (God willing it won't take months like one unnamed Senate election in 2008).  Most of the same folks with the plum offices in this building, will still be residing in those offices come January leading the same majority and minority...albeit somewhat tighter margins.

So what was my take away from today's run?  Well, I got a great workout with no pain, and I learned that you can run through all the important National Mall sites with a Park Ranger free of charge.  Isn't that cool?  Maybe I'll try it out in the Spring if its still going on by then.  I don't really need a tour guide down there after twelve years of roaming this town, but it seems like a great program to take advantage of.  Who doesn't like learning history while burning calories?  Well, maybe only a sliver of America, but I'll take what I can get.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -

Miles:  5.65

Time:   49:07 (average pace of 8:41 per mile)

Location:  Capitol Hill, the Elipse, Stanton Park, National Mall

Feeling:  all the muscles, bones and tendons are feeling pretty good...the rest has helped

Political trees....

It's only a few days before the election, so of course that's what occupies the mind at the strangest times, right?  Perhaps only if you are me...and running through Washington DC where elections mean everything.  That being the case, it should come as no surprise that I saw politics in the most mundane of things.  That's right...even the trees are political. 


Check out this Republican tree..or is it a Democratic tree?  I guess it depends on your perspective...like much of the country.  At any rate, about the only thing truly productive about this run (aside from my brain clearly needing a break from campaigns), is that I logged a few more miles.

Here's to get beyond the elections...happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  4.16
Time:   36:58 (average pace of 8:53 per mile)
Location:  Capitol Hill, Stanton Park, Lincoln Park
Feeling:  A little shin pain but nothing untolerable

Countdown and pain...

Tomorrow morning the diva and I leave for Florida.  It will be her first trip to Disney World - and first race period - and my third Disney race in the past two years.  Today is about putting miles on the log and not making my shin any worse than it already is.  Too bad that isn't really going to happen.

I knew the second I hit the pavement that this was going to be one painful run.  Not 100 meters in I was already feeling the pain radiating up my shin.  Why oh why?  I can't figure what I could have done to cause this.  Hmmm, or maybe its the shoes.  They are rather overworn at this point.  I've been meaning to buy a new pair for a while, but have just been lazy.  Running shoes should be changed out every 400-500 miles...these have more like 600 or so miles on them.  Or maybe my leg just can't bear the weight any longer?  Nah, I'm going with the shoes. 

Note to self - scour the race expo for a good sale on New Balance 1080v and just buy them.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  4.17
Time:   35:59 (average pace of 8:37 per mile)
Location:  Capitol Hill, Lincoln Park, Stanton Park
Feeling:  ouch...my shin hurts

A glutton for punishment...

Alright, I'm going to share a secret.  I'm not fantastic at taking a break when I need to.  What?  You already knew that?  Huh...I thought I hid it well.  Today was one of those days I needed to take it easy, but I'm racing this weekend in Florida, and I've not been putting in the number of miles I usually shoot for as a minimum.  So I laced up the shoes to head out for a lunch time run.

Washington is Washington.  The nanny brigade walks the children through the park for the afternoon fresh air, the dog walkers ply there trade throughout the side streets and the suits look important as the hurry toward whatever important meeting they have with important people.  And I just keep on running.

What's interesting about today, however, is not the scenery or the goings on around the Capitol, its the change in my physical condition.  My hamstring has bothered me, well, basically since college.  So when it is tight or screaming, it doesn't mean a whole lot except provide me with a reminder to replace the empty tube of Icy Hot (yes, I swear by that stuff...it should be in every gym bag).  That said, my hamstring actually feels decent today.  Instead I have intense pain radiating up my shin.  Shin splints?  Stress fracture?  Totally random?  Who knows.  All I know is I have no time for this and will just have to push through for the foreseeable future.

Minor injuries don't get me down, but I'll have to watch this one.  After all, the back injury a couple years ago that sidelined me for most of 2011 started out as just a minor injury.  I'm not about to go there again.  Happy trails!

Stats -
Miles:  4.03
Time:   34:09 (average pace of 8:28 per mile)
Location:  Capitol Hill, Lincoln Park, Stanton Park
Feeling:  my hamstring is okay, but I've got pain radiating up my shin

Shirtless rollerblading...

I've been sick the past few days.  I rarely succomb to a fever, but fever it was on Monday and Tuesday.  Total sucksville.  I was bed bound and forced to hang up the running shoes.  That probably wasn't a bad thing in some ways.  I'm reluctant to take time off from pounding the pavement, though I really should following races. 

Today I could sit still no longer.  During my lunch break I broke out the shoes and headed out the door to enjoy the good weather and a few miles of meditation.  Mostly it was a normal run around the Capitol Hill neighborhoods...until I hit Lincoln Park.  Why is it that all the interesting people circulate around Lincoln Park?  I don't know the answer to this, but time and again I always find my strange stories in that area. 

As I pulled onto the dirt track on the inside of the sidewalk I was streaked by the shirtless rollerblading guy.  Okay, some folks can get away with this....definitely not this dude.  Maybe I admire his self-confidence, but I was nearly compelled to give him the shirt off my back.  It was just too much.  Admittedly though, it did keep my mind off the fact that my lungs were screaming from the remnants of being sick and that I was sweating buckets from the same.

Sitting down writing this entry, I still can't get the vision out of my head.  Here's to hoping the change of seasons and cooler weather will find that guy wearing a shirt in the future.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  4.05
Time:   34:52 (average pace of 8:36 per mile)
Location:  Capitol Hill, Stanton Park, Lincoln Park
Feeling:  everything is working really well since taking off three days this week but the lungs are bad

Sequestered running...

Today OMB issued guidance on how the legislatively-mandated sequestration would hit each account funding fovernment activities.  Sounds like a good day to be running doesn't it?  I think so. Especially when you need to think about things. Today the remains of the four Americans killed in the Benghazi attack also returned, and the reception at Andrews Air Force Base was emotionally overwhelming.  I needed to work out the emotions.  

I took off on my normal route, paying attention to life bustling as if nothing negative was happening in the world.  And to most it wasn't.  Running was the best thing I could do for my brain at this time.  It was also good for my legs, which I seem to be neglecting these days.  I don't feel like I'm getting in nearly as much running as I could.

Things felt good, the sun felt great, and the movement cleared the brain.  Now I'm back to my desk to figure out sequestration again.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  4.25
Time:   36:14 (average pace of 8:31 per mile)
Location:  Capitol Hill, Lincoln Park, Stanton Park
Feeling:  tight hamstring, but dealing with it

Mom + Miles = Sanity

Check out runprettyfar.com for more

Today I came across a new fun running attire company that summed up some of my feelings about running pretty well, and did so stylishly.  As I've said multiple times, running is my sanity.  Now, I can't say that I need the sanity check because of my child...far from it.  Actually running has helped center me for a long time.  That said, I love the shirt that says "Mom + Miles = Sanity."  I will take it to mean that, yes, I am a mom, and yes I have stress, and yes, running helps me keep it all on an even keel.

I thought about the life evening benefits of running a lot during my today's lunch hour miles.  I thought about all the feelings I have when its me, my ipod and endless road or trail.  I feel release.  I feel empowered.  I feel in control.  I feel strong.  I feel relaxed.  I feel happy.  I feel accomplished.  I feel many things, but most importantly I feel AWESOME about myself.

The sun was shining down, cars were bustling up and down the roads, people were walking and talking through the parks and life was going on around me, but it didn't matter.  I was in my happy zone (one of my several happy zones of course) and everything felt pretty good.  I cleared my head and thought about new approaches to work challenges, I thought about fun things to do with the diva this weekend, I thought about my half marathon and the joy of running with friends this weekend. 

And then I stopped.  I enjoyed the sweat (well, mostly...I don't enjoy the sweat that drips into my eyes and stings like a mother...), and I enjoyed the slight ache in my muscles.  Though the run was not particularly challenging it was fulfilling and helping me to hit my mini goal for the week (30 miles...).  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  4.01
Time:   34:44 (average pace of 8:39 per mile)
Location:  Stanton Park, Lincoln Park, Capitol Hill
Feeling:  the lower hamstring is twinging a bit again, but the lungs are feeling lighter

The comfort zone...

It's been a long time since I pounded the pavement around Capitol Hill...roughly two months at any rate.  It was a good day for this particular run.  The weather was calm, beautiful, perfect for reflection and contemplation.  That is what today was about.

As I ran through the streets around Stanton Park and Lincoln Park I noticed the silence.  The normally bustling streets, full of cars and joggers, nannies and dog walkers, were empty and quiet.  It took me a couple miles to notice.  While I was thinking about the office I was sitting in on 9/11/2001, just a few blocks from where I was jogging, the absence of others just didn't seem to register.  When it finally did, I felt the silence was appropriate.

The silence also allowed me to look inside and feel the run.  My legs felt strong, my arms felt strong and my spirit felt strong.  While I've still got a bit more healing to do before my lungs are 100%, it didn't seem to matter in the grand scheme of things.  The run felt comfortable...in the zone.  Now back to work in the office full time, I look forward to many more of these runs along this familiar path.  They are good for the heart (literally) and the soul.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  4.11
Time:   34:45 (average pace of 8:27 per mile)
Location:  Stanton Park, Capitol Hill, Lincoln Park
Feeling:  Awesome

Turtles and naps...

Yeah, I don't recommend napping with turtles.  That's not what this post is about.  So then what's going on?  Nope, not as exciting as you think, but check it out anyway.

Over the next few days, the greater DC area is going to be hit by a heat wave.  Yep, but Friday the heat index will hit 110 degrees.  Guess who won't be able to run during the day?  Well, nobody that is sane, that's for sure...including me (sanity check may be in order regardless).  Today was the last shot at an afternoon run in the outdoors before the bad temps set in.  I didn't really set out with a distance in mind, except that I needed to put in four or more, five would be nice.

The run started out pretty decent.  My hamstrings were still tight, but at least my legs didn't seem to be heavy like yesterday.  I headed out on one of my normal DC routes, with some different directions along the same roads.  It was warm, borderline hot by the time I got up to Lincoln Park.  And that's when I saw what I really needed to be doing on a day like this.  That's right, I should have been napping in the middle of the park like that guy over there.  I took one look at him and had a real moment of jealousy.  Instead, I snapped his photo to blast to the world (because when you make someone jealous, its a no holds barred type moment) and kept on going.

Next I headed on down North Carolina Avenue toward Pennsylvania Avenue.  I take this particular road over toward Pennsylvania from time to time for a couple of reasons.  First and foremost, when the temps are rising like they were today, this road has a lot of nice, shady tree cover that makes it feel a lot cooler than out in the open.  Another fun reason to take North Carolina is the fun little turtle park near Eastern Market.  This place makes me smile.  So I stopped to finally snap a photo today so I could share the park on my blog.  You can see the one big turtle that anchors the area, but what isn't particularly visible are all the small little rock turtles that edge the rest of the relaxing and whimsical space.  Love it.  It also helps to lighten the mood for the rest of the run.

I finished this one without any real victories or pitfalls, just a decent few miles to add to the tally.  Now I move on to the days of heat advisories and hopefully the ability to get up at o'dark thirty so that I can run when its only 81 degrees out.  Geez.  Oh well, happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  4.36
Time:  37:18 (average pace of 8:33 per mile)
Location:  Capitol Hill, Lincoln Park, Stanton Park
Feeling:  Lighter but still need to work out the hamstrings

Socializing and running...

Running can be great for socializing.  Just look at my Saturday runs with Brie...hello, exercise and catching up with friends.  Awesome.  And in some cases, running is the only way you can find time to hang out when you are all busy, busy, busy.  Sometimes, though, they don't mesh...at least not in the same way.

Tonight I was hitting the pavement for five in my quest to post 550 miles before the end of the month.  Okay, my body felt heavy.  I don't know if it was the day off yesterday or if I'm still a bit tired from pushing the speed a bit too much on Sunday, but overall it felt like it was all I could do to push to the end of the run.  So, I was certainly excited to run up behind some of my old colleagues from The Ohio State University - their President and federal relations team - walking in front of the capitol building.  I stopped to "socialize" and catch up with them a couple minutes (it's also always nice to hear "Stacie was the best MLA Senator DeWine ever had") before continuing on my way.  Luckily this was about a mile before I was finished because shortly after that diversion I ran into another colleague and stopped to socialize with her for, oh, about 30 minutes :) about all sorts of stuff - work, running for fundraising, kids, etc.  That social stop, however, made finishing the last quarter mile sheer torture.  Oh well, life goes on and it is fun to catch a few minutes chatting with good folks.

All in all, my pace was back to more normal speeds, the weather was pleasant and it felt good to put the pavement beneath my feet to think for a bit.  I'd also be remiss if I didn't recap my joy at my social encounters along the way.  I hope the rest of the week is just as nice and that the body lightens up.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  5.28
Time:   44:33 (average pace of 8:26 per mile)
Location:  Capitol Hill, Stanton Park, Lincoln Park
Feeling:  Heavy, a little tight in the hamstring

Fashion critique extraordinaire...

Washington, DC is not exactly the fashion capitol of the world.  That said, the city is at least noted for its conservative suit and tie turn out.  Not high fashion, but suitaby neat and formal in its appearance...or so they want the rest of the world to believe.  Since today's run was slightly sprinkling, and I needed something to cut through the work-related thinking that threatened to plunge me into a new level of crazy, I checked out the fashion roaming the DC streets near Capitol Hill.

I could start with the girl whose cut off denim shorts were baggy enough to share with another human and her striped socks that clashed with the colors of her shirt, or I could start with the lady whose running skirt had seen better/less see through days, but I'll start with the lobbyist whose skirt was so short and tight (and she did not boast the appropriate physique) that it left little to the imagination.  Ugh, did no one remember to tell her this is a conservative town when it comes to clothing?  She looked a lot like the interns that give late teen fashion a bad name.  Oh wait, and how about the guy wearing white shoes that had royal blue soles with black pants?  Really?  At any rate, it provides a diversion from the serious thinking.

Now how was the actual run? :)  It was a good one.  The hamstrings (both of them) started out tight and the left calf muscle reared its ugly head at about the two mile mark, but it was no where near as sluggish as yesterday and almost back to normal with the body.  I enjoyed the run, sweaty as it was (the temperature was deceiving...it was chilly, but very humid).  It was the perfect start to what I hope will turn out to be a 25 miles week (yeah, I'd like to hit 550 before the end of June).  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  4.14
Time:   33:14 (average pace of 8:01 per mile)
Location:  Capitol Hill, Lincoln Park, Stanton Park
Feeling:  Open and loose except the hamstrings and left calf

Owning it (the 50% mark)...

Do you ever feel like a plastic bag, drifting through the wind wanting to start again?
Do you ever feel, feel so paper thin like a house of cards, one blow from caving in?

Do you ever feel already buried deep? 6 feet under screams but no one seems to hear a thing
Do you know that there's still a chance for you 'Cause there's a spark in you
You just gotta ignite, the light, and let it shine Just own the night like the 4th of July

'Cause baby you're a firework Come on, show 'em what you're worth
Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh" As you shoot across the sky

These are the words I heard today streaming out of my ipod as I crossed the 500 mile mark in my quest to log 1000 miles this year.  The words reminded me that sometimes we set really lofty goals and we feel only moments from failure, that we may have lost direction somewhere along the way.  But baby I'm owning this one and shooting as far across the sky as I can go.  That's right, I am now more than half way there and less than half of the year behind me! 

This is what 500 looks like! Yes, I stopped to take a photo...

Today felt monumental.  Yeah, I know that there are still about 499.25 miles to go to really take down my goal, but man did 50% feel good.  I've never been great about keeping a log of my miles, but I'm fairly certain I've never laid down this many miles in a half year in my past.  There were days I didn't feel like running, but the call to reach for my goals was too great.  There were rainy days, but achievement had a greater pull.  And there were days when there wasn't enough time to breath, let alone run, but carving out time kept me going.  I'm keeping my eyes on the prize and I feel fantastic about it!  If you've got a goal, stick with it, you'll feel so amazing in the end and along the way!

So, what was the run really like?  Well I don't remember a whole lot about the route, or the people I passed (well there was that accident on Maryland Avenue that shut down several blocks for the police activity), or even the temperature, but I do remember feeling light enough to dance into the air and happy enough to sing at the top of my lungs (don't worry, I spared Washington that joyful encounter).

As I started, so I shall finish.  Just after Katy Perry bounced me across that momentous mark, I was struck by words from the next song that came through my earphones (...someone must have stacked the playlist for today).  While taken slightly out of context, all that I care about is the strength I felt and the absolute connection to "I am bulletproof, nothing to lose....I am titanium."  Here's to holding onto that feeling for the next 500 miles!  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  3.54
Time:   29:14 (average pace of 8:15 per mile)
Location:  Capitol Hill, Lincoln Park, Stanton Park
Feeling:  HELL YEAH!!!