Blowing in the wind...

That's how I felt during this evening's run...like I might blow away at any minute. The wind was blowing at 23 mph, gusting to 27 mph. Yikes! It's a wonder forward motion was possible. I actually felt like I was pushing super hard, which of course winded me early on, and this on top of the fact that I was already running on my usual day off. There were reprieves from the wind, of course, like the streets running east-west since it was a north wind. But by and large, out in the open was rather challenging. Thank goodness I ran into a work colleague at one point (who I actually needed to run into) giving me the opportunity to take a few minutes to chat with about a debate we had during the day. I was also amused watching his dog attempt to pounce, in all friendliness, on every person and dog that passed during the course of our few minute conversation. Makes me happy to know my dogs aren't the only miscreants with no manners in the greater DC area.

Oh, and yum and boo, when I went running past Kenny's BBQ at the corner of 8th and Massachussetts I thought I might keel over from the glorious smells emanating from that restaurant. I love BBQ, especially good BBQ, but I'm not overly picky. Kenny's is good BBQ and I rarely have it. SO, add the smells of Kenny's together with the wind and its amazing I got anywhere today at all. And one last sigh, the warm weather is on its way out tonight. We've got a freeze warning in place after many days in the 60s and 70s...though I think I can survive the few cooler days before heading into the searing heat of the United Arab Emirates by week's end. Here's to hoping I can hit my 25% goal before getting on the airplane Thursday night! Happy trails!

Stats -
Miles: 3.87
Time: 32:00 (average pace of 8:16 per mile)
Location: Capitol Hill, Lincoln Park
Feeling: A bit wind blown, and overworked, but otherwise good

Sunglasses at night...

I like to run in style. Okay, let's be honest, I like to run for my own comfort. Last summer I was getting bombed in the eyeballs by tons of bugs, so I switched from wearing a visor, to keep the sun out of my eyes, to wearing sport sunglasses. Guess what? No more bugs. And because I don't like dark glasses, mine are red-tinted so I can wear them in all states of sun. Sometimes I forget I've got them on, like tonight, or this evening rather. I headed out of the office about 6:45pm to get in a few miles. It was still pretty light outside (much gracias to daylight savings) and so I was wearing my trusty shades to blocks those pesky bugs. It was about two miles later that I noticed I was having difficulties seeing...oh yeah, dusk was falling rapidly and I still had my bug shields securely in front of my eyes. Well, had to move them out of the way to finish up.

So, sunglasses securely acting as a headband, I launched into the dog convention at Lincoln Park. It was actually a great scene. Because (according to the Citibank thermometer) it was still 82 out, not only was every dog owner in the greater Lincoln Park vicinity out, but lots of families were at the playground and there were even a small handful of picnics going on. If I didn't still have a couple miles to go, I probably would have gate crashed one. My better sense prevailed and I headed back toward Capitol Hill cruising past all the friendly faces. Tonight was one of those nights you just don't waste indoors, and so I was not surprised to pass many of my co-workers who live near work just strolling the sidewalks.

All in all, it was a pretty darn good day (did I mention I also met George Clooney?) Happy trails!






Stats -
Miles: 5.11
Time: 45:07 (average pace of 8:49 per mile)
Location: Lincoln Park and Capitol Hill
Feeling: Totally into the weather and the run

Dog hurdling...

Dog hurdling should be a new track and field event at the Olympics this summer in London. I mean, running can be challenging enough, buut when you have to swerve around or jump over dogs, that adds a new element of extreme to the daily jog. That's what today's run was like...every dog in DC must have been out and about at the same exact time I decided to pound pavement. We aren't talking 5 or so dogs over a 4.5 mile stretch...we're talking in the double digits. Luckily the dogs in DC all seem to be far better behaved than my dogs, by a long shot.

Anyway, swerving around dogs aside, today was beautiful. If you missed it you are one very unlucky person. The temperature was perfect, the sun was shining. I'm glad I was able to find time to get in a few miles.

Stats -
Miles: 4.51
Time: 38:11 (average pace of 8:27 per mile)
Location: Lincoln Park and Dog Central
Feeling: Happy