Score! Exit row And no seat in front

Hope the de-icing truck is full

Old glory at National airport

More Christmas running in Prairie City

Christmas running in Prairie City OR

It's been quite a week!

Christmas in Prairie City OR followed by a quick trip to NH to see my parents. It was great to spend time with family. I also got to experience some very fine runs both marked by cold snowy conditions but in very different geography. I'll post pics. Im behind on posting to Buckeye outdoors but when I get home I'll sync up.

Seems like I've been spending lots of time at snowy airports lately

A winter in the park

Huntley Meadows park is a great spot very close to where we live.  Usually, I like to run on the Mt Vernon Trail along the Potomac, but that requires a drive that can be severely impacted by traffic conditions.  So the park is a great alternative.  Today I ambled down there to knock out 4 miles.  It seems like only yesterday I was down there sweating like a pig at a luau and today it was 28 deg F.  Tomorrow, however, we will be in Oregon where it is forecast to be 6 deg F.  6 !  That's not very many... maybe I should pack my baklava... thick gloves... battery powered socks...

Sunday run

Today I had a nice run along the Mt Vernon trail of 5 miles.  It was a bit brisk and breezy, but with all the stories on runcast.tv and twitter about running in snowstorms and bitter cold I thought I was pretty lucky all in all.  It made me thankful for the relatively mild conditions I was experiencing.  I thought about stuff I would talk about on a podcast.  All I need is a way to record myself, a way to edit and produce, and a way to host it.... other than those minor details I'm all set. 

Saturday run

I had a nice 3 miler down on the Mt Vernon trail on the Potomac.  That's the brand spanking "new" Wilson Bridge off in the distance which used to be considered one of the worst bottlenecks between Maine and Florida on I-95.  It was such a headache for local commuters for years that when construction began, an essay contest was held to determine what lucky commuter would have the gleeful opportunity to push the button on a demolition charge that brought the old span down.  After years of construction it is complete, all ten lanes of it, and now traffic flows easily.

I really have no idea if anybody reads this blog besides me since I find it makes for a great diary of sorts.  Just in case there are readers out there I'd like to publicly thank Ben at Buckeye Outdoors for working to provide such a valuable service to runners and other athletes via his website.  He's responsible for that widget up there that displays recent workout info.  Nice work Ben! 

Fridays run

It rained pretty steadily here today so I didn't take any pics on my run.  I headed across the Memorial Bridge and did a loop around the reflecting pool.  I stayed dry and comfortable thanks to the new jacket I got for an early Christmas present.  I thought some more on my run about starting a podcast and decided to press ahead; all I need to do is research the available recording gear out there and get going.

Nigel, in one of my favorite podcasts, running from the reaper, has asked his listeners for recommendations on a recording device that plugs into an ipod nano or similar device.  I'm keen to hear what people have to say as I too think it would be great to record using an extension of the electronic device I'm already carrying instead of bringing along another one.

another good run today

Today I headed out from work on a 4 miler and ran past the entrance to Arlington Cemetery and on to the Iwo Jima Memorial.  Its been rather cold and gray lately but it makes for nice running conditions.  I'm very happy that I seem to have found the right shoe and insert combination; no significant arch pain.

I've taken down the java app I used to have at the top of this page that showed a google map shot of the run and a graph of heartrate and pace.  The app is available from www.buckeyeoutdoors.com if you have a training log on the site that is open to the public.  It's a cool app but I've had a few comments that it took a long time to load even with a broadband connection.  It does seem to load pretty slowly but I'm not sure why.

from my run today

Seabee Memorial

oo-rah!

Also on my run today

Memorial drive looking East towards the Lincoln Memorial

and another...

The WW II Memorial is one of my favorites.  It's really well done.  It is an immersive experience, by which I mean you doesn't just stand there and stare at it, like you would at other memorials, with can be impressive enough, but to experience this memorial you walk among it and are able to interact with it.  The fountains are designed to produce not only a pleasant visual experience but to provide an aural signature that helps you experience the monument in an intimate way.  By that I mean you can become engrossed in various aspects of the memorial such as the engravings, bas reliefs, or sculptures.  The water is "loud" enough to allow you to quietly, as if by yourself even if there are many others around, to experience that particular display in a private way.  There are some very poignant inscriptions that lend themselves to private and even solemn reflection and the fountains are placed in part to allow you to do just that.   It is a moving experience, and one not to be missed.

more nice run...

They are doing some major rehab of the plaza area in front of the Lincoln Memorial which is really overdue.  It was getting pretty shabby.

nice run continued

For some reason Blogger will only let me upload one photo to a post, so...  here is a VH-3 helicopter I snapped as it was passing over the Memorial bridge.  This is one of the "white tops" flown by the Presidential Helicopter Squadron, HMX-1, which is used to transport the President.  I used to fly with this unit so it always makes me reminisce when I see one fly over. Oh, and don't be fooled by the apparent blade twist there, that's an illusion brought on by the limitations of the IPhone camera.

Nice run in DC

I had a nice run the other day in DC.  One of the great things about working near the district is being able to run on the mall and see the monuments.  I find it motivating and inspiring, especially if the weather is either really good or really bad.  When its really good, like in summer, its great to see the place filled with tourists taking in the sights with the sun sparkling off the water and off the granite.  And when the conditions are bad, in the middle of winter, there the monuments stand, with a sense of resoluteness, much like the founding fathers they were built to memorialize, indifferent to the discomforts of cold, wind and rain.  Here is the Memorial bridge looking East towards the Lincoln Memorial.

weekend update

What a great weekend.  Yesterday we had friends over for a brunch, and before you could say "please pass the mimosas" eight hours went by and we all ended up watching "It's a Wonderful Life" by the fireplace.  We are now officially big fans of brunch for entertaining.  Great friends, great food, great drinks, and great coffee thanks to Mr Salvatore and Intelligentsia Black Cat Espresso blend.  Not a bad way to spend the day!

Today we Christmas shopped, mostly online.  There's something almost decadent about laying in bed with a cup of coffee an a laptop click click clicking your way into a gift giving frenzy thanks to the internet and the US mail.  However, both Darcy and I had a couple things for which we had to go to stores, so off we went into the fray.  I'm glad we both made it back with our collective sanity intact.

Then I headed on down to the river and had a great run along the Potomac.  I sure do love the water.  As long as I have any choice in the matter I'll live not far from water.  After all, water reminds me of boating, one of the most addictive, wonderful, enjoyable, depressurizing passions known to mankind.  I once heard a quote, and even though I can't remember to whom it should be attributed, it's always stuck with me; "If there is magic in this world, it is contained in water."  Just so.  

sideways rain; good for the soul

A good, albeit cold and wet, three miler today in DC.

Sunrise over DCA

Does the world need another running podcast?

There are many great running podcasts out there and I enjoy listening to a number of them.  I'm thinking of starting one...

Cheers!

and again!

Another 3.2 run on the track with the same orthotic and shoe combo as yesterday.  I think I have a good combo that will serve me well.  I'll take a rest day tomorrow and then mull over what my plan will be for the rest of December before prepping for the half in March.  I can't wait to run outside again.  I wanted a very controlled environment over the last few days but it sure will be nice to get out there again.

and again...

3.2 miles today on the same track with a different pair of shoes with the orthotics.  Another good rehab/prep run.

(note: the widget above "latest event" will show a google map of my run with the data below when I run or bike outside with my Garmin... courtesy of Ben at www.buckeyeoutdoors.com)  

and again...

Another "rehab" run of two miles at a slow pace on the indoor track.  A few more of these and I will be ready to take off the training wheels and get going.  I just want to make sure I have a good match up of shoe and orthotic.

stepping out, somewhat

Today I ran for the first time since October 26th.  Thats the longest I have gone without running in some time and I really missed it;  I missed it physically and mentally.  I went all of two (yes 2.0) miles on a cushy indoor track.  It was the first test of running with custom orthotics.  It will take some time to get used to, I am sure, because it feels very different, but this should be the ticket to long term foot health.  I ran one mile at about an 11:00 pace, then walked a lap or two, then ran the next at the same slow pace.  I didn't have any pain or soreness which was great.  Immediately afterwards I stretched and iced my arches for a few minutes just for good measure.  I realize this sounds overly cautious, but I have been bit by the "start running again before the plantar fasciitis has gone away" monster before and I want no part of it.  So, I will return to my training plan in a very methodical manner.  There's no rush since the first race I have coming isn't until next March.  I'll enter my 12 week program for that half marathon in January.  

Morning commute

Hi ho hi ho it's off to work I go