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

The Vote of Women Does Matter....

(This article appears in the September newsletter for the Junior League of Annapolis)

WOMEN BUILDING BETTER COMMUNITIES: Afghan Women Remind Us Why Voting is Important
By Stacie Oliver

In the coming months, Annapolitans will go to the polls to elect a new mayor. The primary will be held September 15th and the general election will occur November 3rd. Many of you may not be planning to vote for a number of reasons – “I just don’t have the time,” “I don’t know any of the candidates,” “who really cares,” or “my vote doesn’t matter anyway.” You couldn’t be more wrong – one way women contribute to building better communities is by participating in the selection of leadership. I was reminded of just how important the women’s vote is last month in Afghanistan.

I recently served as an International Election Observer in Herat, Afghanistan during the presidential and provincial council elections on August 20, 2009. It was an honor and privilege to observe the enthusiasm shown by women as they went to the polls to exercise the hard-fought right to select their local and national leadership for only the second time in their history. Women defied the threats of the Taliban and other dangerous warlords to make their voice heard. They lined up at the polls as early as 4:30 a.m. to ensure they had the time to cast their ballot before being restricted to their homes for family duties the remainder of the day.

Why did these women come out to vote? I asked many that question and was impressed by their reasons – “I want to have a say in who runs my country,” “it is my obligation to participate if I want democracy to flourish,” “I want to set an example for my daughter that women should not be intimidated,” and “I am excited to be part of my country’s history.” Yes, some of the women said they were afraid that the polling centers may be bombed but they also said that they needed to not let those that view women as possessions win and keep them home. Nor did they want to forget that democracy came with rights and obligations for participation.

Hopefully we can be inspired by the courage and conviction of the women of Afghanistan in the coming election season and beyond – I know I have been. Each vote cast truly does make a difference in more ways than the final vote count.