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| US Botanical Gardens all lit up for the holidays |
There is something special about that first evening run after the Christmas lights begin to deck the halls - or the outside facades - of the homes and building around Capitol Hill. It's fun, festive and provides new interest while circling the streets in my mad pursuit for miles and fitness.
Tonight was that night. First of all, I had to run tonight. Just absolutely had to. It's a super busy week, which means my runs because that much more important to break up the stress. Today I didn't get a lunch break, so by 3pm I was emailing my husband saying I was going to go insane if I didn't run after work...would he be okay with the diva. Check. Not sure what I would have done if the answer had been no.
After I finally broke the chains from my desk, I headed out across the East front of the Capitol. It was cold and I was stiff, so it was a slow start (and end if I'm honest). Since it was dark and (a) we've established I'm clumsy after dark and (b) you don't want to head into the darker neighborhoods...just in case...I decided to stick very close to the Capitol and engage in circles. Really more like a figure eight. I'm glad I did. My first circle took me around to the West front of the Capitol building and the lovely view of the Botanical Gardens all lit up for the holiday. It's strange, I've been in DC for more than a dozen year but never visited the Botanical Gardens. The lights make me want to go, and I bet the diva would love it.
My second loop came back across the East front and then headed down Independence Avenue toward 3rd Street SE, up East Capitol toward Lincoln Park, back down East Capitol and across the front of the Capitol building back to where my car was snuggly parked behind the Russell Building. Thank you to the festive residents along East Capitol. I love your style and spirit and hope more will join you. While none of you sported the grotesque displays of blow up figures or plastic Christmas lawn ornaments (thank you and thank you), your lights provided a delightful tour of an otherwise too familiar route at this point.
I never quite warmed up enough to greally get moving on this run. That's okay, it was about stress rather than speed or other training accomplishments. It was also fun to see the first of the holiday decorations and I can't wait to see more. Happy trails!!!
Stats -
Miles: 3.35
Time: 32:38 (average pace of 9:44 per mile)
Location: Capitol Hill
Feeling: holiday cheery
