Reasons to love Annapolis...

There are so many reasons why Annapolis is, to me, one of the absolute greatest places on the planet...and I get to live here. Today reminded me of just a few of the most important. First and foremost, Annapolis has amazing people, like my great running buddy Brie. She keeps me laughing and motivated over the long runs and can always be counted on to run head first into a challenge. Also, I love the bay - sailing, beach, outdoors, sparkling water, serenity, amazing views - those are all things I associate with the bay. Further, big town amenites but super small town feel - you escape into amazing pockets of solitude but still be close enough to catch an afternoon college football game at a BCS school (shoot me a message if you don't know what that is...we've got some educating to do and I don't want to embarass you publicly).

Today, I got all three of the aforementioned reasons to love Annapolis. The day started with a fantastic run through Greenbury Point and Naval Station Annapolis with Brie. It was a pretty easy run...okay, let me rephrase...it was a comfortable run, though we were cruising a bit. We did take the time to bask in some of the amazing views from the Naval Station, including across Mill Creek and the Severn to the Chesapeake Bay bridge and the sailboats docked at the Mill Creek marina on base. We also took a moment to look across the Severn into downtown Annapolis. In fact, it was here that even a 30+ year resident of Annapolis can still say "I really love this town." We finished up through the Naval Station proper where we passed a number of groups of midshipmen getting in their Saturday PT. We ended our run by checking out the new collection of Vineyard Vines clothing at the exchange...I've got my eye on that navy blue with white starfish wrap skirt.

The afternoon continued the streak of all things amazing about Annapolis, with the spring Blue-Gold football scrimmage at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. I'll tell you, we've got a decent quarterback coming up, but the defense still leaves a little to be desired. Hopefully come the fall season, the boys will have figured out how to stop the other team from scoring. Anyway, it was a great day all in all, including the peanut butter froyo at Menchie's and dinner at Mexican Cafe. Couldn't ask for anything more! Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles: 10.79
Time: 1:35:58 (average pace of 8:53 per mile)
Location: Greenbury Point at Naval Station Annapolis
Feeling: Loved it - great weather, great company, great feeling legs

Outdoors enjoyment....

While the weekend didn't come off exactly the way I would have liked, physical fitness speaking at any rate, this weekend was definitely not about being a counch potato. A) We had fantastic weather and B) we just had to be outside in it.

Saturday started with a great three-mile walk with the dogs. If you know my dogs, you know Jimmy Dean refuses to be the last dog ob the porch though his legs are only an inch long, and he's overweight. I'm surprised that his heart didn't burst fronm overexertion, but he would not walk at a slow pace. Duncan, on the other hand just enjoyed being out and about at whatever pace...though we did discover horses aren't really his thing. So, we made it home, mostly in one peace though slightly traumatized (there was a dead snake in the road, and I don't care if they are alive or dead, they cause me panic), and got ready for our afternoon out to see Wicked at the Kennedy Center.

The evening exercise just couldn't be helped. We had evening reservations at Chart House to celebrate my birthday (yes a few months late) but we were early and decided to walk around Market Square and City Dock before dirving over to Eastport. After trying on all the hats at Hats in the Belfry (that's exercise isn't it?) the weather was too good not to walk to Eastport, regardless of whether stilettos make great walking shoes. The roundtrip to where the car was parked added about another three miles to the day's tally.


Sunday just begged for sailing. We hustled up a few crew (read Elizabeth, David and Emma) and rented a Rainbow out at NSA Annapolis. We spent a few great hours cruising the Severn and the bay, zigging and zagging with the other sailors looking to take advantage of the fantastic winds. Jay got some very unique exercise while we were out. Emma wanted to swim - DESPERATELY - but we weren't about to let her jump out with the boat traffic, so Jay grabbed hold of the straps on the back of her lifevest and held her over the edge. She looked a bit like a dolphin skimming the surface of the water. Rather amusing if you ask me. Good thing he didn't drop her. While we definitely didn't add to the cardio tally, we did get that upper body workout. All's well that ends well, and we managed to fish an American flag out of the river while we were at it.

All in all, a weekend well spent. Onward ho....