I’m taking advantage of my Garmin Forerunner 405 GPS Watch tonight and running wherever I feel like running, as long as I can return back to the Smithsonian Metro as close to 7 miles as I can. 
The temps were the coolest yet this evening, so I ran with my jacket my brother gave me for my birthday back in July.
I started with a jog around the National Mall, then darting around the U.S. Capitol, which was TOUGH because it was on a hill. I should have known–hence the name “Capitol Hill”. I had to stop and take some pictures, because it was just breathtaking, plus the light was on in the dome, which meant Congress was in session. I also saw a group of nighttime Segway tourists in a circle in front of the capitol with headlights on their helmets.
On the way back from The Hill, I veered way off course and ran randomly on streets south of the Mall. I kept making 90-degree turns until I no longer felt comfortable or safe in the area. I knew I could get back to the Mall, and I looked for the Washington Monument as a guide. Once I neared the Mall again, I decided to change my route and run alongside the Tidal Basin (where the Cherry Blossoms bloom), and pass the Jefferson Memorial. When running around the monuments and buildings, they seems so close. I think it’s only a couple miles between the Capitol and Jefferson Memorial.
Again, the memorials were breathtaking, so I stopped in front of the Jefferson and took a couple pictures, then continued around the memorial heading towards the FDR Memorial, which I’ve never been to. I didn’t take pics there, but ran through it, which was pretty cool. There were lots of waterfalls and statues, and it looks really nice, but I’ll have to spend more time there later. I continued to run across the bridge over the Tidal Basin, which led to the Washington Monument, then I ran around that and tried to get as close to hitting the 7 mile mark at the Smithsonian Metro. I was only off by a couple tenths.
Take a look at my path on this map. You can interact with the map and see results on my Garmin Connect page here.
Summary:
Location: National Mall, Washington, DC
Conditions: Clear sky, 65
Goal: 7 miles
Results: 7 miles off and on for pics
Time: 1:21:36
Pace: 11:39/mile
Total Training Miles to Date: 194
Click here to view my complete training schedule
Thoughts:
My favorite run so far downtown! It felt great to run wherever I felt like.
What I’ll remember most:
Seeing the Segway tour in front of the U.S. Capitol, running by the Jefferson Memorial, and whizzing by the FDR Memorial.
