Thursday, July 28, 2011

Running on Capitol Hill

I'm blasted by a wave of humidity and heat as I stepped outside of my apartment last week; DC humidity clings to your skin and envelops you in a heat blanket.  My sunglasses fogged up and my body screamed, "go back inside!"  Even at 7am, the temperature was 85 degrees.


HA!  There was no way I was getting up to do my 5-mile run.

As I drifted off to sleep, I realized that the reason behind signing up for this 1/2 marathon was to push myself beyond my comfort zone.  Out of bed it was.


Typically, I begin my runs by Union Station, and follow a path past the Senate Reflecting Pool and up the stairs to the Capitol building.  From the Capitol, I make my way along the National Mall.

 It's there that I see hundreds of tourists swarming the free museums, eating their ice creams and taking photos.  This energy keeps me excited and distracted--helping me continue running even when all I want to do is stop.


Luckily, the 3-day heat advisory is over, and I'm feeling less like a fried lobster after my runs.  This is my 4th week of intense physical training and I'm finally beginning to feel a difference.


I have a 6-mile run to complete this weekend: it's been at least six years since I've run one, so here goes nothing!

7 comments:

  1. It helps that you have some gorgeous views while you're running. ;) Good luck with your run!

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  2. Beautiful pictures! And I'm impressed by your energy to go on. :)

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  3. Good for you!  I know how hard it is to get ourselves out of bed to run.  It's too hot, cold, rainy, snowy, cloudy, windy, sunny. . .

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  4. I used that excuse today...oops.... :)

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  5. Way to go Lauren! That's amazing and great that you pushed yourself to go not only so early but also through the heat wave! I want to start doing some training once I get to Australia and have a more steady schedule and you will definitely be a piece of my inspiration! 

    Keep it up!

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