Hot summer days!

It was a very slow, hot run home yesterday afternoon. I was surprised to see my heart rate remain above 140 for most of the way (10 minute/mile pace). My legs felt like lead. I am not running home today; I need a break from the heat--already!

C&O Canal

Rolling Thunder Rally

Starting around 7 a.m., riders gather at the North and South Pentagon parking lots. They leave around noon and come over the Memorial Bridge, circle around the Mall, and then end at West Potomac Park.

Rows upon rows of motorcycles

World War II Memorial...hard to see all of the little flags that were on the front lawn.

National Museum of African American History & Culture

Opening in 2015, the National Museum of African American History & Culture will have a great location at 1400 Constitution Avenue, NW. The web site already has quite a bit of information available.

Running this morning was not too bad with a little drizzle. This afternoon, it was 55 degrees and very windy. I hope it warms up a little for the Memorial Weekend festivities.

Running to work, looking at the construction from 15th Ave.

Albert Einstein Monument

There is a less well-known monument tucked away at the National Academy of Sciences on Constitution Avenue--the Albert Einstein Monument. 

Korean War Veterans Memorial

Photo credit  - Julia Andreasen

Photo credit  - Julia Andreasen

Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial

The FDR Memorial is my favorite. Not all of the fountains were turned on today, but this memorial--which spans over 7.5 acres--still outshines all the others. There are 10 bronze sculptures of FDR and also one of Eleanor. The memorial honors FDR for leading our country through the Great Depression and World War II. There are four outdoor galleries that cover his 12 years as president. It is a must see--in any weather!

Photo credit - Julia Andreasen

Photo credit - Julia Andreasen

"The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself." -FDR

Photo credit - Julia Andreasen

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Photo credit - Julia Andreasen

Photo credit - Julia Andreasen

World War II Memorial

Steven and Julia biked and I ran, while we toured the monuments. Throngs of people were every where...the rain did not deter.

Photo credit - Julia Andreasen

Photo credit - Julia Andreasen

Dragon Boat Festival 2013

Despite the rainy weather, there was a great turn out this morning for the Dragon Boat Festival. Sponsored by the Chinese Women's League, their mission is to promote Chinese culture to the DC area through the sport of dragon boat racing. The two-day festival (May 18-19) is held between Thompson's Boat House and the Kennedy Center, along the Potomac River. There are exhibitions, craft demonstrations, and races!

Washington Monument Scaffold Update

Scaffold all the way to the tippy top.

Lincoln Memorial

It has been a busy week; however, it never gets old running past the monuments. This picture was taken Friday morning, 6:45am.

Who makes being a mother easy??

My daughter, Julia, makes my job as a mother the most rewarding and hassle free. Really, she is the best.

Me & Julia

Wall of the Warehouse Restaurant

Beautiful day

Kidney Walk & Komen Run

The National Kidney Foundation Walk took place this morning at the Georgetown waterfront. The Susan G. Komen 5K brought a ton of people down to the Mall. It was fun to run, despite the on and off sprinkling.

Georgetown Waterfront

Capturing the walkers.

Susan G. Komen 5K After Party at the Washington Monument.

Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure May 11

You can still register in person today to run the 5K tomorrow. I hope the weather holds--possible thunderstorms.

Looks like it will be a huge event!

Way more tents than for the Avon walk.

Thanks to all of the rain we have had recently, the flood gates are up at Georgetown Waterfront. It is hard to tell from the picture, but the water level was just below the top of the boardwalk.

Potomac River was high this morning.

HRM and Treadmill in Synch--Shocking!

As an early mother's day present, :) I bought a Garmin FR70--and I love it! I wasn't looking for a watch with GPS, which can drain the battery quickly, I just wanted heart rate, calories, and the ability to track progress on a Web site. FR70 is perfect!

Previous to this purchase, I occasionally wore the heart rate monitor (HRM) that came with the treadmill. I was devastated at how much holding onto the sides and getting on and off for bathroom breaks affected my heart rate. And, I wondered how much better of a workout I was getting outdoors versus indoors.

To the rescue, the Garmin HRM. I freely admit that I need this device to keep me honest and motivated. Actually, since I started using it, I have tried to do all runs outdoors--the weather is nicer and no temptation to cheat. This morning, however, I ran 5 miles, .5 incline, averaging speed of 7.5, and I was pleasantly surprised to see that the calories on my Garmin were pretty close to the treadmill calories. Most equipment overestimates the calories burned by a long shot.

What is my point? If I use the treadmill as the machine expects I should--without stopping and without holding on even with my pinky finger--the calories burned display will be pretty accurate. (FYI, both the treadmill and Garmin are programmed with my age and weight.)

Cheer Signs!

I saw my name up on a sign this morning and it reminded me of all the great spectator signs you see  when running a race. They are entertaining and a great distraction. A couple of my favorites...

• You're beating everyone behind you!
• Don't stop, people are watching!

R Street in Georgetown

Avon Walk for Breast Cancer

Gorgeous day for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer!

Avon Walk for Breast Cancer Preparations

The walk is May 4 - 5, 2013, in Washington, DC. They were setting up in front of the Washington Monument, where the opening and closing ceremonies will take place.

I can't wait to go running tomorrow and capture the participants en route. Usually, they go right through our neighborhood, so it will not be hard to snap some photos.

The Nike Race tents are gone and the fountain is back on!

Washington Monument Scaffold Update

As promised, here is an update for my scaffold company friends. The Washington Monument will remain closed to tourists while repairs are completed, which could take between 12 to 18 months. These pictures were taken on my afternoon run home; it was a beautiful--in the low 70s--sunny day.

Rainy Monument Run

Monday and Tuesday were both dreary, wet runs hovering in the high 50s. The weather deterred some tourists, which made for a nice 5pm run along the reflecting pool and past the Lincoln Memorial yesterday.

Fountain is back on at GT Waterfront

Lincoln Memorial