Could It Get Any Colder

I prefer to run when the temperature is at least in the 30s. Steven generously loaned me his balaclava, which saved the day for sure. This picture was taken on January 1, 2017, in front of the Organization of the American States, at the corner of 17th and Constitution Avenue NW.

November 22: Last Glover Park Farmers Market

Even last week, it seemed a bit unnatural to have the Farmer's Market...too cold. However, since it is the last weekend--come take advantage of it! Saturday, 9am - 1pm, with great vendors including Walnut Organics, Whisked, Kuhn Orchards, Bonaparte Breads, Heirloom Kitchen, Spriggs Farm, Fiber Arts Festival, Heritage honey, Midtrees Farm, and more. The Big Cheese food truck will be there too! The market is located across from Safeway, in the Hardy School parking lot, at the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue and 35th Street NW.

Calm before Winter Storm Wiley!

Georgetown, M Street

This morning, my five-mile run was delightful, sunny and in the low 40s. However, Washington, DC, has not seen the last of winter quite yet. We are currently under a winter storm warning… the rain will start around 7pm, turning to sleet, wintery mix, and then snow. Accumulation was originally four to six inches, but has been reduced to three to five. Ugh. I need to be at work tomorrow for a slew of meetings; it will be an ugly, cold commute for sure (regardless of actual inches that stick).

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.

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.

 

 

Feels Like -12!

 

 

 

 

It was only six degrees on my run into work--yikes! As they say in Chicago, there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothes. I was prepared.

Thank you, Julia, for allowing me to borrow several items: Holton-Arms sweatpants, ski pants, ski jacket, and ugly (warm) hat. I had three layers of pants/shirts and two layers of socks, gloves, and scarfs. The wind was at my back and the hood helped as well. The news said that your heart has to work harder when you exercise in the cold weather; however, I think my heart was working harder due to the 10 extra pounds of clothing!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not Fun Running Weather

Georgetown Harbor Ice Rink

The weather has not been kind to the runner. Between the snow, rain, and extreme cold temperatures… it has been easy to just use RunKeeper to walk and get coffee and then workout indoors. Tomorrow, however, it will be back to work and back to the reality of commuting in via my own two feet. It is supposed to rain in the morning and then get progressively colder with a low of 16 degrees on Tuesday. These will be point A to point B runs--the shortest distance possible. 

Christmas Decorations

Early run this morning in the pitch dark, around 35 degrees. It definitely feels like winter and it is starting to feel like Christmas too. I love this time of year. Heard there is a heat wave coming this weekend--bring it!

37 Degrees--Galaxy S4 Performs Well

 It was cold this morning, but my phone survived with no hiccups whatsoever. Yay!

Looking back toward Georgetown, quiet traffic day.

  

37 Degrees = iPhone Crash

I am not happy with my iPhone. This morning, I was thrilled to be running in the daylight at 6:30 a.m.; however, the 37-degree weather did not agree with my iPhone. This is not the first time that cold or hot weather has caused it to crash. 

Steven traded in his iPhone today for the HTC One. I am seriously considering…iPhone 5C or Android. Hmmmm...

Where is Spring? Not in Georgetown Today...

Cold run this afternoon; it does not feel like spring. Mid-40s...rain/snow mixture in the forecast for tonight. :(

Fountains are ON at Georgetown Waterfront!

No water or fountains at the WWII Memorial

Lincoln Memorial

Lincoln Memorial

30 Degrees and Rowing on the Potomac

Dedication and hard work!

Middle of M Street

Yay, the sun eventually came out. However, it was still 38 degrees and very windy for the run home.

Georgetown, M Street NW

C-c-c-c-o-l-d and windy

Cloudy, cold, and windy = no fun run today.

Winter Scene from Bellagio in Vegas

10 Degrees in DC!

My iPhone died (again) on my way home from work yesterday (22 degrees and windy)--from 95% battery down to 0%. I wasn't trying to take pictures, just using RunKeeper. This morning, I kept my iPhone in  my jacket pocket and it survived the frigid temperatures. I over bundled and took the shortest route possible.

Nine Secrets to Live Long

Author of Blue Zones, Dan Buettner, shares in USA Today nine secrets to live a long life.

1. Move naturally. 

2. Know your purpose. 

3. Kick back. 

4. Eat less. 

5. Eat less meat. 

6. Drink in moderation. 

7. Have faith. 

8. Power of love.

9. Stay social.

Art Display at Carnegie Mellon

Happy Halloween!

Washington, D.C., is back to normal, but NYC and N.J. are not. Here are some unbelievable photos.

Typical, barely 50 degree day for Halloween. I did not run outside today... but tomorrow, bright and early, I will face the cold air.

Georgetown Halloween Spirit

Georgetown Ghost