This was a trip a couple years in the making. Lindsey and I talked about running the Las Vegas Marathon in 2007, and we started training for it–even creating a blogging website for training (that still ranks #1 in search engines). We trained all the way to running 16 miles on the weekends before Lindsey [...]
Marathon Training
11 Miles on the C&O Canal in Washington, DC
This morning, the newly engaged Lindsey and I drove to Fletcher’s Cove where the Capital Crescent Trail and the C&O Canal meet. The temps were perfect, and there was a light breeze. Lindsey ran 17 miles, and I ran 11. The trail runs alongside the towpath the entire time. It feels so good to just [...]
A heart-racing 4 mile run
So, I’m writing this blog after I proposed to Lindsey. My heart has been racing for the past couple days leading up to the “moment”, and we both ran 4 miles tonight after work, which was only a couple hours before I was to propose. It was the hardest run, mostly because my heart was [...]
Running all around Washington–where will I end up?
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 [...]
Another 4 miles. Boring!
I’m getting tired of these 4 milers. Nothing much to say about tonight’s run, other than it’s easy. I’m trying to get in my run before it’s completely dark, but now I’m at the point where if I don’t leave the office right at 5:30pm, it’s gonna be dark, even after 4 miles. Summary: Location: [...]
Running from Georgetown to Bethesda–and back! Putting away 15 miles
It had rained overnight, so the pavement was wet, and humidity was thick, and temperatures were cool. Lindsey and I started the Capital Crescent Trail from the opposite end–at Georgetown at the river banks of the Potomac. I thought it would be better to run slightly uphill the first half, then coast a bit on [...]
Introducing Lindsey to National Mall running
Lindsey joined me Friday night after work, and together we ran 4 miles along the National Mall in Washington, DC. There were tents set up everywhere in preps for the National Book Festival taking place tomorrow. We didn’t get started until 8:30pm. What’s nice about running after dark is that the temps get cooler as [...]
Running around monuments, memorials and the White House
I decided to repeat yesterday’s performance, but add 3 more miles to the run. I came a bit more prepared today. I didn’t want to go without water, but I didn’t want to wear my 4-bottle hydration belt either. The belt with the little bottles is starting to not look cool, or maybe it has [...]
Testing the Garmin Forerunner 405 GPS Watch on the National Mall
My friend Emily Stone inspired me over the weekend during my training for the Las Vegas Marathon. She ran with us on our 14-miler this past Sunday, and while we were running, she showed off her sweet GPS watch. She was able to track her pace and distance without relying on the trail’s signs. And [...]
Training week #7 comes to an end: A successful 14-miler
I can’t believe I’m wrapping up my 7th week of training. It seems like only a couple weeks ago when I started training for the Las Vegas Marathon which is December 6th. I’m very excited that I haven’t missed a single training run, and today feels like it’s paid off. I was able to run [...]
Gained a minute per mile since yesterday
So, I don’t have a lot to say about this one, other than it was a great run. I know I’m gonna have to face the darkness more and more throughout the fall. I either have to continue running in the dark on Capital Crescent Trail or find paths with light and access 24/7. Summary: [...]
6 miles, mostly in the dark
I’m finding myself in a nice comfort zone with my 6-mile runs. The challenge now is thinking about deep thoughts that make my mind drift during the hour-long run. My music helps, but if my mind can wander, that helps get me through a couple miles. The weather has been perfect for running. The temps [...]
Researching a Trikke; picking up my running pace
Today I started my weekday 4-milers. Up to this point, I’ve been running 3 miles during the week. These runs are becoming pretty easy for me now, so I stepped up my pace a bit today and pushed myself off and on as much as I could. The rain had cooled off the night, and [...]
Run 9 miles, check. Buy new shoes, check.
Wrapped up my 6th week of marathon training today. I started at a different part of the Capital Crescent Trail today, so there was 1 1/2 miles of trail I had never seen before, including Fletcher’s Cove, located on the Potomac River and the C & O Canal National Historical Park, between Chain and Key [...]
Trying a new running trail
This week’s runs have been pretty effortless. I’m starting to feel bored with the 3-milers. It must be a good sign that I’m ready for some more challenging runs. I decided to run a different trail today and ran the trail in Aspen Hill Park, which is a few miles from home. The trail is [...]
Ran a steady pace during my 6-miler
The days are getting shorter, so the longer I stay at work, the darker it’s gonna get when I run. Especially when I’m running more than 5 miles. Today I didn’t get on the trail until almost 7pm, so the last half of the run was pretty much in the dark. During the last mile, [...]
Now the real training begins
After a day of rest after the Virginia Beach Half-Marathon and a day off work for Labor Day, I’m back on the trail. I did it. I trained for a half-marathon in 5 weeks. According to Hal Higdon’s Novice 2 schedule, he recommends running 12 miles at the end of Week 5, but since the [...]
Very impressed with the Virginia Beach Half-Marathon (and I ran non-stop)
What a great event! From the moment we registered and got our bib and goodie bags–all the way to the free beer on the beach at the end of the race–I was thrilled to be a part of the Rock n Roll Virginia Beach Half Marathon! After we registered, we walked through the expo at [...]
A hole in my running shoes
Before i get to the shoes, I want to document today as being the first time I passed a real runner during my 3-miler! This is my 19th day running, and after the hundreds of bikes, runners, strollers, skateboards, scooters–I finally pass someone…an actual person with running gear and a steady pace. I felt like [...]
I’m not running a race, I’m just running
I chatted with Angie Goff in the newsroom today about the joys and pains of running. Angie is the morning traffic and news gal for WUSA 9 and is also known for her Oh My Goff! blog. In my opinion, she is one of the best social media users and self-promoters in Washington, DC. We [...]
I know my weight slows me down…a lot
After a couple days off from running, I hit the trail for my easy 3-miler today. I felt like kicking it up a bit today. I know I’m not going to break records or even pass ANYONE today, but wanted to push myself a bit and see where it takes me. I tried to keep [...]
Last long run before the Virginia Beach Half Marathon
I thought I would try something different on this long run–no music. I know some races prohibit headphones, and so out of curiosity I wanted to see what running was like without them. I didn’t miss them all that much. I heard lots of cricket sounds, babies crying in their walkers, runners panting as they [...]
Vacation is over, but running continues
I feel pretty good about keeping up with my marathon training even though I was on vacation. I didn’t miss a single day, and I’m already ahead this week, knowing I’m not going to be able to run tomorrow night because of an event with Metromix. I ran my 3-miler as the sun was setting, [...]
From best to worst, but I finished.
Yesterday’s 3-mile run was such a rush! Today’s run just plain sucked. I’m very surprised at the time it took to run this, especially since I walked the 4th mile. Why I think this run was hard: Did not stretch yesterday Great “mom” food yesterday–and lots of it! Sweets usually weigh me down. Not getting [...]
Best 3-mile run so far
The weather was again nice and cool, and we got up early to run our 3 miles. We started at the History Museum in Forest Park in St. Louis and ran 1.5 miles out and back. The trail is flat for the first mile, then the 1/2 mile is all incline until you turn around [...]
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