My Kind of Town

Tomorrow I'm headed to Chicago for a few days to move PTW into his prison cell tiny Ikea-furnished apartment. I'm super pumped for a change of scenery and some new running trails, but am looking for suggestions of where to go. Anyone? Bueller?



Lakerson, I'm lookin' at you, girlfriend.

Purple Nails

This post is all over the place. I just wanted you to know that I know.

I ran this morning, a nice 5 miler, first time back since our race this past weekend. I was planning on a run yesterday morning but when my alarm went off, it was pouring rain. So I ended up going to the gym for some much needed yoga. But I think having three full days rest was for the best- even today my legs still felt a little tired.

April, I've already had enough of your showers. Over the past 3 weeks your rain has really messed with my running outside, and at this point - I don't even bother with the treadmill because I know how the story ends...sick of it after a mile. Maybe your point is to make me truly appreciate sights like these

on the gorgeous days we do get. I was running our go-to five mile route, on the Capital Crescent trial portion when there was a break in the trees and I could see the sun coming up, illuminating the key bridge. I had to stop and snap a pic. At least three bikers whizzed by as I was doing this and I'm pretty sure thought I was crazy.

I treated myself to a little more of this beautiful day by going out for a manicure and pedicure during lunch. I had my toes painted this lovely lilac color:

and I have to say - I am digging it. I think I'll polish them purple more often. I tried in vain to snap a picture of my actual toes to share the real life result with the internet. You can thank my iPhone for the color not turning out like I wanted for you being spared that picture. Oh, and I also finally tried the new gel polish. You know - the one that is supposed to last at least two weeks. Unfortunately they do not make Essie gel polish yet so my nails did not get the same purple treatment.

As one more tribute to Spring, I share this picture I snapped while out walking Tallulah yesterday evening:

It's currently my favorite yard in Georgetown (if you can even call them that for row houses). With the garden in full bloom, it finally matches the brightly colored house, no? Maybe the purple flowers in the foreground were subconsciously my inspiration for my polish choice.

Sal is working in the Big Easy for the rest of the week. In honor of of one of my favorite cities in the U.S of A - I thought I would create a route for good 'ol NOLA and share a FEW things from my personal "best of" New Orleans list. [Disclaimer: this list is not all encompassing - that would require an entire post of its own]

• Best running route (I haven't actually run it myself , but I could only imagine it's the best because it's begins in the Garden District so you can see the beautiful houses, includes a cut through Audubon Park, finishing through the quarter and ending at Cafe Du Monde for coffee and beignets. Hey you earned it, you just ran 8.7 miles)
• Best place for a Po' Boy - Domilise Sandwhich Shop
• Best restaurant that I want to try that I haven't yet tried - Cochon (how do I know it's the best if I haven't been there myself you ask - well I have it on good authority...and I have been to it's sister, Cochon Butcher for lunch, and it was amazing)
• Best place for Chargrilled Oysters - Acme Oyster House
• Best B&B in the Garden District to stop and have a drink in their bar or on their glorious porch - The Columns
• Best place to spend entirely too long at lunch (and possibly see someone famous) - Galatoire's
• Best Bloody Mary - John Besh's Luke
• Best carousel bar (not that I've ever been to another) - Hotel Monteleone
• Best bar if you have ever wanted to dress up like a pirate - The Funky Pirate - go see Big Al sing and request the song "Take Your Drunk Ass Home." And if you want, you can literally spend like 17 dollars for your very own sword, eye patch, and a bandanna or something (and no I haven't bought the pirate get-up - but I just might know someone that has).

That is all,

5 Mile Therapy

Whenever we have a 5-mile day, Liv + I don't even have to discuss our route because our feet naturally move along the following path...

We typically meet up on the corner of Liv's street while it's still dark and the city is empty. 

We then run through Burleith, pass by Visitation (and  my old house) and continue toward Palisades by way of the Georgetown  Hospital.

Georgetown Visitation by John W.

From there we run past the cutest farm house in all of DC (Okay, that's debatable but we love it. We'll snap a photo when it's not so dark in the morning) and then sprint downhill to (illegally) cross Canal Road. Next we hop on the Capital Crescent Trail at the Fletcher's Cove Boathouse and enjoy the solitude of the early morning. 

There are so few runners and bikers in the early hours, that we sometimes spread out across the entire path... until we hear the jingle of bikers' bells politely asking us to share the way. 

As we round back into Georgetown along the water, sometimes we continue on the C&O Canal (depending on whether or not we feel like racing up the stairs to get there). 

C&O Canal by M.V.Jantzen

Photo by rwoan

And other times, we finish down on K Street...

Key Bridge by JosephLeonardo.

We then head up to M Street toward home... by way of Starbucks for a little morning boost. 

Photo by Jim Malone.

M St. by Geetarchurchy

We begin sipping our coffee as we stroll home - taking in the early morning sounds that will soon transform into a yet another boisterous day. Our favorite days are when we catch a certain mom on 31st Street sending her children off to school on the bus - she always looks so sad to see them go each day and gives them such an endearing farewell (I wish we had a photo - but I'm pretty sure that she has already noticed us staring at her, so she might take out a restraining order if she see's us with a camera).

We take in the softness of the morning as the wind blows through the trees (my attempted poetic mush is nearly over, I promise).

And as the sun begins peering through the trees, I scurry home along Q Street to get ready for the day. 

Not too shabby for an early morning run, eh? I think I needed this reminder of how lucky I am to live in D.C. considering how much I'm hating the process of finding a new apartment right now (sigh)

Saturday

I've lost my training partner for the 10-mile training run on Saturday. Sal + Liv have been on a roll training together, I think this will be the first run apart in 3 weeks or so. This will, once again, mark Liv's longest run ever and I'm pretty nervous to be going it without her; however, never fear - Footsy Friend Megs will be there! (You met her this week.)

We've chosen this route, and it actually includes part of the MCM marathon course. From each person I've spoken to who has completed the "People's Marathon", this part just happens to be their least favorite on race day. Almost to a person they cite the reason for this as the lack of crowd support in the dead middle of the race (miles 11 - 15). It's the almost 4-mile loop around Hains Point, an island at the southern tip of East Potomac Park (it's also the hubster's golf course of choice because it's the most affordable in the area). After he plays he always says, "Y'all should run the path around the point. There are always tons of runners and bikers." My reply is usually something along the lines of, "Oh I'm not worried - I'll definitely get my chance to run Hains Point."

Not to be overlooked - our course ends on M Street... right where the new Sprinkles location opened this week. Let's be serious, we have to see how it compares to to all of the other cupcake places in this city.

I can't wait to hear how Sal's run goes tomorrow. I'm going to be thinking about her - and be quite jealous - as she'll have it knocked out first thing Friday AM, ready for her event-filled weekend. All hail King Big Al!

Sal's potential post-run treat

Any MCM veterans out there? What are your favorite and least favorite parts of the course?

10 Days to 10 Weeks to 10 Miles

So, as you may remember, we did not make the Cherry Blossom cut. And though it still stings a little okay, a lot, we are pretty darn excited about our Plan B. On April 10, Liv + Sal & Sis-in-Law Sus (and a few others that we're still in the process of recruiting. We're looking at you Willie Wonka & Megs) will be running in the Parkway Classic, a 10-miler starting at Mount Vernon and ending in Old Town Alexandria. Not only do we LOVE this course (running along picturesque George Washington Parkway) and the fact that there is less risk of getting trampled to death (as is most certainly the case with Cherry Blossom), but this race also spits us out in Old Town at prime brunching hour. Which means, we've been more focused on where we're eating afterwards than the actual training process.  

Alas, it's time to quit thinking about eggs benedict and start focusing on the 10 miles we have to run before we can taste our first mimosa. And since most 10-miler training plans typically start about 10 weeks before race day, that means we have to get serious in, oh... 10 days (Geez... that's a lot of 10s in one sentence). We've scoured the best (and not-so-great) training plans out there and finally settled on the beginner's approach to this Runner's World training plan developed by Larry Indiviglia, a certified personal trainer and director of run programs at Island Fitness in San Diego. 

Now, I like this plan because it gradually builds distance and allows plenty of time for both cross-training (essential for avoiding complete boredom and another one of these disasters) and rest (obvi my favorite days). My hesitation with this plan is that there is a lot of emphasis on heart rate and pace and other fancy technicalities that, frankly, just don't fit into my approach at the moment. I would love to think that I run slowly on purpose, but fact of the matter is that, I'm putting everything I have into my running every single day - some days, that comes out fast respectable - and most days, that means a slow-and-steady-finishes-the race pace. Regardless, I'll do my best to at least be conscious of how slowly I'm running so I can gauge whether or not I'll be able to finish this race before the sun sets.  

Oh, and one other reason this race totally rocks, there will be 50+ members from Back On My Feet - DC participating this year. Now, if that's not inspiration enough to sign up and get moving, I don't know what is (Ahem. Still looking at you Willie & Megs). 

Christmas in Dixie

Let me just brush the dust off of these blogging fingers for a second....yep, that's better. Aside from my HTC review last week, since the new year it's been all Sal carrying this blog load. I've had a bad case of blogger's block I had to overcome.

However, just because I haven't been writing doesn't mean I haven't been running. In fact, while the hubster and I were home for the holidays on our three state tour I took the opportunity to enjoy the change of scenery and ran in every city we graced with our presence. (not to mention, I had just received some some new winter weather lulu loot and I was dying to road test it)

We started our Southern tour in Memphis where our first stop was with my Dad's family as we celebrated my grandfather's 85th birthday. Dad has a corporate apartment in Memphis on the fabulous Mud Island (which is conveniently close to the downtown restaurant hub and nightlife of the Mid-South capital). Optimal for when hubster and I would visit Memphis (and Sal) from Ole Miss and hit up Beale in the early post college days. Mud Island, is just that, an island in the Mississippi river.

The houses and real estate on this island are incredible. Many of the ones that line Island Drive have these wonderful porches with amazing views. The best part about the island is the trail and sidewalk that run all along the river. Runners, walkers, dogs and bikers are constantly out and about. As you run along the Mississippi you'll see barge after barge making their way down.

Random dad and cute little boy not included...

Next stop was Greenwood, MS, home of the hubster and where his family lives. We loved staying with the newlyweds, my sister-in-law and her new hubby, who just happen to have set- up-shop on the corner of Jane Lane and Olivia Street. Which, for those of you that don't know, that's my first and middle name Jane Olivia (or was before I married).

Greenwood, for all of you unfamiliar with Mississippi geography, is part of the Mississippi Delta, and the Delta is FLAT! And flat = a nice run.

At the start of my run, the sun rises over the cotton fields behind Westminster Presbyterian church.

What I loved most about my Greenwood route was running down Grand Boulevard. One of the most gorgeous tree lined streets, I would argue, in America!

And all along the street, you'll find gorgeous, old southern homes:

If you read Kathryn Stockett's bestselling novel The Help, loved it as mush as I did and you're equally excited about the movie coming out, then you too will get to know Greenwood as the movie was filmed there this past fall.

And this little face was waiting for me at the door when I finished my run

The final leg of our holiday tour found us in Birmingham, my old stomping ground. I was so happy to be reunited with what I think, is one of the best running trails out there, Jemison Trail.

The Shades Creek Mill House along Jemison Trail

Birmingham, and specifically, Mountain Brook, is so green with rolling hills. I really have no words to explain how beautiful the houses and neighborhoods are, you'll just have to take a run to see for yourself.

And how can you not love the quaint villages that connect the different neighborhoods.

Corner of Mountain Brook Village

In fact, this very Saturday is the Village to Village 10k and I wish I could be there to run it because it's such a beautiful and fun course.

Running in all three cities added so much to this year's holiday travels. Previously when I traveled, I had my excuses to justify me leaving my sneaks and workout clothes at home: airline baggage restrictions, no time on my trip for working out, etc. But excuses no more - call it one of my 2011 resolutions if you will. I've realized how fun it is to take advantage of different locations and research in advance great trails and routes in the cities you will be visiting. Not to mention, it's a great way to get outside and explore.

If you're like me, when you're traveling you're probably enjoying yourself by eating and drinking a little more than when at home. During this trip I kept my running up, and while I might not have lost any weight while I was indulging, I definitely didn't gain any of those pesky holiday lbs and I felt great. So get out and run - and then you don' t have to feel bad having that dessert at the amazing restaurant you were so excited to try.

Without further ado the routes:

Memphis - Mud Island

Greenwood

Mountain Brook - Jemison Trial (note: this map does not really show the trail, but it's there. You can't miss it, right by the creek, er the "brook").

If you find yourself in any of these three great cities, you should check them out. Tried and tested by yours truly.

What ever happened to predictability?

This week, my running shoes are (hopefully) hitting the streets of San Francisco,  but so far, they've only seen the treadmill in my hotel. I woke up early this morning planning to go on this run so i could squeeze in some sight-seeing...

View Larger Map

But instead, I encountered this when I walked outside...

So, I promptly made a U-turn and headed for the hotel gym - which, I have to admit, is a drastic improvement from what I normally would have done - which is this...

I'm here this week for a conference far too nerdy to confess the name of on the World Wide Web...

While I'm spending most of my days imprisoned in a conference center, I'm hoping to find a wee bit of time at night to explore the Golden City by foot, because I heart this town. I haven't visited San Fran since 9th grade when I pedaled across the Golden Gate Bridge as the grand finale of a 3 week bike trip down the Pacific Coast. Thankfully,  I've upgraded my sleeping conditions since that trip from this...

San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf Hostel

to this (though I could have done without the fire alarm going off at 1:30 in the morning + the circa DJ Tanner-era hair dryer + the never-ending club beat circulating the halls)...

CLIFT San Francisco

Today is packed pretty solid with some painfully boring exhilarating tech-y sessions, followed with a lil' talk from Slick Willie himself. Fingers crossed that I can break free afterwards for a jog mountain climb (seriously, these hills are no joke) around Frisco. 

And if any of our 3 readers out there (hi mom!) have some good running trail suggestions in good ole San Fran, send 'em on. Because right now, I'm feeling a little "lost out there and all alone" (okay, not really. but i couldn't resist another Full House reference. and i'm really excited about the fact that i'm actually watching Full House whilst IN San Fran... yes. clearly, i fit right in with the other nerds at this conference... sigh).