Totally Burned Out SUV!

This is something I definitely do not see everyday on my morning run. It was on New Hampshire Avenue, in front of The Savoy, near the corner of L Street. It smelled like it was still smoldering.

Tongues Panting Courtesy of High Heat

It has been really hot and humid the last couple of days...supposedly a break is coming by mid-week. Running in the morning is hot but bearable. In the afternoon, it is a slow walk/jog home. I can't bring myself to use the "running" setting on RunKeeper; instead, I set it to walk and always feel better when the app congratulates me on my "fast" pace.

National Park Police in front of the White House

Whisper and Quiet heating up on Julia's bed

Great Running Weather

This weekend was perfect weather for runners--cloudy, not too hot, and an occasional misting of rain.

Memorial Day Sites in Washington, DC

Sunny and splendid in the city of Washington, DC, it was nice to see the memorials and monuments crowded with visitors honoring the veterans. Despite the tourist dodging, I enjoyed a quick run. Check out today's view of some of my favorites: White House, WWII Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Washington Memorial. 

Cool Run at Deep Creek Lake

Bella giving Steven extra kisses this morning.

You can always count on Deep Creek Lake to provide cooler temperatures and challenging hills. It was nice to run outside of the city and really take in a big dose of nature. Steven rode a ton of miles on his bike as well. Besides nice time to reconnect with family, we visited the Maiers, where we stayed for Christmas 2012. The family put on a massive spread for dinner and were so welcoming (their friends were too). 

Deer! (Can you find the two?)

Bear! (Look for dark object, dead center of pic.)

Cove near Maier's house

Quiet morning lake from L&T's dock.

Tony and Lisa's view of the house from dock.

Run to Blossoms, then Walk

Crowded? Yes, but very much worth the trip. 

Peak Bloom for Cherry Blossoms

The cherry blossoms have peaked--now is the time to run down to the Tidal Basin. The weather could not be more perfect; at 6:30am it was 64 degrees. Lovely. Better pictures to come!

Check out the Washington Post's Going Out Guide for the Tidal Basin!

Spring? Is that You?

Fifty degrees out for my morning run--shocking! It was overcast and misting, but I'll take that any day with the warmer temperatures. I saw very few remnants of the snow. Yay!

Georgetown waterfront looking at Key Bridge

Georgetown waterfront looking at Kennedy Center

Yesterday, DC Police in our alley...garbage truck sideswiped something?

More Snow...Really?!

A snowy run this morning, with predictions between 1 - 3 inches. The meteorologist said it wouldn't stick--looks like it is sticking to me. :(

Downtown Ducks on L Street

These poor ducks were waddling down L Street, heading toward 20th Street. Beautiful run this morning--mid-40s with a promise of 60 degrees for my afternoon run home. It almost feels like spring.

Foggy Thursday

Looking down toward Key Bridge...barely see the cars.

Ice Sculptures near Federal Reserve Building

Today, the sky was blue and the temperature was in the balmy 40s. I came upon these bizarre ice trees on 21st Street NW near C Street NW. 

And...She's Down!

How lame. I did not slip on the ice. I tripped on an uneven sidewalk. Even though DC enjoyed temperatures into the upper 50s yesterday, there is still quite a bit of ice and snow on my route.

This morning, we are supposed to get some rain and rising temperatures ths afternoon into the high 50s again. Yay! Bye-bye snow!

Ice, Ice Baby

OK, I am fine with the cold and even the snow. As an avid city walker and runner, however, I just can't handle the uncleared sidewalks. I do appreciate the shop owners and apartment complexes for doing their part. I think the DC government needs to do a better job of communicating everyone's civic responsibility to keep their driveways and sidewalks clear when it snows. It isn't that hard to do if you keep up with it when it happens. Now, of course, the snow has fallen, melted slightly, and refrozen into a dangerous mess. I went running today, but it would have been so much more enjoyable if I didn't have to worry about breaking my neck as I traversed through Georgetown. Check out some other wintery pictures from my ventures outdoors this past weekend.

Columbus' outdoor Lifestyle Community Pavilion

S. High Street, Short North neighborhood, Columbus, OH

Look closely, you can see Julia & Chris

21 Degrees in DC



Pennslyvania Avenue from 22nd Street

I ran in this morning sporting Julia's ski pants, two layers of gloves, and several shirts. I was plenty warm. There is no end in sight for this winter weather. The really hard part is going out during the day for my second cup of coffee, when I'm not all layered up. :) I need to work on that caffeine addiction.

53 Degrees--Feels Like Summer!

It was a beautiful day for a run! Check out the pictures from the Georgetown Waterfront.

From the steps of the Georgetown Waterfront

Kennedy Center

Key Bridge

Use at Your Own Risk: Someone Stole the Ski Jacket

Really, it is true. Since it has been so cold, I had been wearing Julia's ski jacket, which has two wonderfully warm layers. At some point between my run to and from work, the outer layer jacket was taken out of a locker at my work gym. They left my workout clothes and the inner layer jacket (thank God).

#1 bummer--this was Julia's jacket. :(

#2 bummer--extra cold run home with just one layer.

Julia wasn't upset (she's a gem), but she will have to get a new ski jacket. I wore several layers this morning, but I definitely noticed a difference in not having that wind-breaker layer.

There are signs around the gym stating that if you don't use a lock, you use the lockers at your own risk. Got it. Understood.

I am still using the locker room. I put Julia's name in big black letters on the inner layer. I did look feverishly this morning around the locker room to see if anyone had "returned" the jacket, but no such luck.

New Mizuno Sneakers--YAY!

Disregard ugly office carpet.

 I am very excited that my Mizuno Wave Creation 14 sneakers have arrived. Happily, I can squeeze two thick socks into them. I'm done with winter. And, even though the sneakers are new, they have no traction on the snow/ice.

Galaxy S4 Performs Properly in Polar Temps

Potomac River near Key Bridge

Washington, D.C., has endured extremely cold temperatures this past week with no end in sight. Best news for me--the single-digit morning runs have not affected the performance of my Galaxy S4 in the least!

The Potomac River is not completely frozen. Few people were out this morning in the 20+ degree weather (felt like a heat wave); we had a few snow flurries this afternoon too. I'm ready for spring.

Tad Warmer: Feels Like 7 Degrees

Downhill and with the wind at my back, it wasn't too bad coming in. I wore one less layer and used a hand-warmer packet (HotHands). Those are the best! I highly recommend them and will continue to use on mornings that are 32 or below. They are supposed to last for 10 hours...helpful when I go out to get my lunchtime coffee, but probably stone cold by the time I leave work.