Good Grief

Basically I'm doing horrible with my new rules. But I did go to Crossfit tonight. 
Worked up to 110# 3 rep max push press. 

METCON was 5 RFT
9 Burpees
5 Hang Cleans
3 Thrusters

6:46 with 65#, I felt like such a BEAST! Probably would have felt better if I hadn't housed half a loaf of bread with olive oil and vinegar beforehand. 

It has been so hard to get motivated to go work out because it is dark so early! Go for a run in the morning and it's dark. Get home from work and plan to go to the gym... and it's dark. It's getting sad, but at least the weather has been nice the past few days and not too cold. I'd be fine if it stayed that way. I am not a fan of snow, or cold, it's AWFUL and makes me wish I had never left San Diego. 

The Rules

Come to Jesus moment last night. Nothings going to happen if I do nothing, new rules 

1. 60 minutes of cardio or no TV

2. 1600 calories a day

3. Log all food

4. Vegetables with lunch and dinner

5. One cheat day a week

6. If it is three flights or less I am walking the stairs

Went to Crossfit tonight

5x3 Deadlifts - got up to 150

4x5 pull ups

METCON

20 DUs

5 Pullups

30 DUs

5 Pullups

40 DUs

5 Pullups

50 DUs

5 Pullups

40 DUs

5 Pullups

30 DUs 

5 Pullups

20 DUs

Finished just under the line at 14:42 I was so out of breath at the end!

Going for a run in the morning, I've decided screw what is probably a stress fracture, I'll just ice it later. 

Next Race!

Just signed up for my next race, well the drawing anyway. Nike Women's Marathon series Half Marathon in Washington, DC 28 April 2013. 

I'm definitely down to do a half, still not convinced that I'll do a full ever again. 

Super Extra Sore

Crossfit last night. 6 rounds. 

30 seconds AMRAP 65# Thrusters

30 seconds rest

30 seconds Double Unders

30 seconds rest

30 seconds rowing for calories

30 seconds rest

182 total reps/calories!

And today I'm as sore as can be. 

Was supposed to go swimming tonight, and I took a nap instead. Tomorrow I shall do cardio, tonight I'm posting a silly picture from Halloween!

Glow in the Dark 5K

My friend asked me a few weeks ago asked if I wanted to do a 5K with her and her husband (went to their wedding last weekend!) and of course I said yes. This was before the marathon and before the weather started to change. 

The website said the race started at 7pm. Well that was a lie. We got there and all the signs said 7:30. We had been hanging out in the DC Armory (where it was warm) but they started kicking people out around 6:15. So best case scenario we were waiting over an hour. There were over 8,000 people there, which was pretty cool, but no one started running until about 7:50, we weren't at the front so we started running at 8:10. While running with glow in the dark stuff on was neat... they didn't really stay on for everyone, and then there were ass-hats who were stopping to pick up the bracelets/necklaces that were falling off, which was super annoying when you were running. There were crazy stops along the way as well with face paint and other stuff, I don't know, we didn't stop. I think we were few of the people taking it seriously and actually running. The course was all around the RFK Stadium parking lot, kind of lame, but there weren't really any hills and we were so excited to start I didn't care, I just wanted to start MOVING. I think the course was also a little short, we finished in 34 minutes. 

After the race everyone headed back up to the armory for a complimentary beer and dance party. I wasn't really feeling the party part of it, but we hung around for a little while. 

All in all, nice try LivingSocial. It was the first one, and I think the next one will be better. I'd try it again. 

This week

I'm starting to think I may have gotten a stress fracture in my foot during the marathon. Icing and hoping for the best. 

But I still went to Crossfit last night. 

Worked up to a heavy jerk single of 115#

Then...

100 Double Unders
20 Weighted Sit-ups (10#)
75 DUs
15 WSU
50 DUs
20 WSU
25 DUs

14:00 FLAT!!! Not too bad for taking a week off. 

Then I took today off because I was supposed to be on a Grouper Date, that got rescheduled, for the third time. But I had a glass of wine, so WIN!

The Race is Done!!

And how did it go? Well, I finished and really that was the goal, I didn't get pulled at the gauntlet, I beat the bridge, and I got the the end without passing out, puking, or crying... much. 

It was an amazing experience, with highs and lows, it's amazing how many emotions you go through in 6 hours. I was extra nervous at the start, feeling pretty wobbly through the first 4 miles then hit my stride for a few miles, I was with my friend Jess and we decided to go without walking as long as we could, we got to mile 12. I was feeling good and wanted to keep going, but there was no way I was leaving her. She motivated me to keep running as long as we had and it was my turn to keep her going. 

We suffered through 13-17, it was slow going but I was feeling strong and having fun and trying to keep her spirits up with the knowledge that we were more than half through. We just made the cut off at the gauntlet, we didn't realize it at the time, but I remember noticing them starting to move traffic cones, it was to reroute the runners directly behind us to the bridge, so they missed miles 18 and 19. 

It was just before 18 that I saw my family, I ran ahead so I could give them all hugs and it was a huge boost, that I really needed because just after that they said we had 35 minutes to make the bridge... and 2 miles to go, so we sucked it up and ran our little hearts out for two miles to the base of the bridge. At that point I lost Jess, she told me to go ahead and I did. I don't think either of us would have made the cut off without each other, and I'm so grateful that we had this experience together. 

After I was secure in the knowledge that I had in fact made the cut (and after asking about 10 people to be sure) I started mixing in more walking, miles 20-22 were slow, but I kept up some pretty strong running in there as well. Miles 23 and 24 were freaking brutal, hearing "Only two more miles" at that point, was not incredibly helpful. I saw two friends just before mile 25 and they ran with me for about a quarter mile, then at the last water stop I saw someone I was in NROTC with who could not have looked more shocked to see me running a marathon, that bolstered my spirits even more, yeah I was going slow, but I was doing it. I saw two more friends just after that and they ran me in to mile 26, gave me a slap on the ass to get up the hill for the last .2. My time was 6:18:31, not breaking any land speed records, but I ran my own race and I proved I could finish. 

I'm not going to lie, I expected to feel differently at the finish line, but I think I also had unreal expectations of who would be there and the cheering crowds, etc. It could have also been that I was so physically and emotionally drained that I was numb. I got my medal, got some pictures, got a tyvek coat, and set off to find my family and friends. 

I have to say the worst part of the race was the mile walk to the next metro station to get home. I was so very done. But again, pushed through and made it home. I had some great cake that my cousin made for me, took a shower, and headed off to get a tattoo with my friend. I can honestly say that the marathon hurt more than the tattoo. And it has tons of meaning to me, not just because I really like what I chose to put on my body forever, but because I did it with my friend immediately after we ran a marathon together. It'll be a great story for the rest of my life. 

It's been two days and after hunkering down for Hurricane Sandy and healing up a little I'm ready for what's next. I'm not sure I'll run a marathon again, a half might be as far as I go, but I do want to get faster again. Through this whole process I haven't pushed my speed because I knew I wanted to have a 12 min/mile pace for the race, so even when I was doing short runs I was keeping that pace. I want to get back to where I was when I returned from Iraq, I did a 10K with 9 min/miles. I think know I can do it again. 

I'm also going to get serious about my weight loss again. Starting with a 21 Day Sugar Detox from 1-21 November. Yay.... not so much. 

Army Ten Miler

So, after a few weeks of laziness and then a week of a cold kicking my ass I decided I was up for the Army Ten Miler, I did finish, but it wasn't pretty. 

The race was amazing! So many people cheering and I think the most inspiring part was seeing the wounded warriors out there running. I held back tears more than once seeing people wearing tribute t-shirts for their fallen friends and family. It's days like today that make me so proud to be a member of the US military. 

Finisher's Coin

I ran last year in Iraq, it was nice to run this race on American soil with 30,000 other patriotic runners. I realized today just what great shape I was in last year, but we worked out twice a day because there wasn't much else to do, the food was terrible, and no booze allowed. I want to get in shape like that again, or even better. 

Sweaty and happy after finishing last year at Al Asad Airbase. 

Who's got two thumbs...

And just tried out for Jeopardy??? 
THIS GIRL!

I was nervous all day and for good reason, I'm a dum-dum.

I don't know rivers, geography, politics, or literature. Toni Morrison, whoops. 

Ah well, you miss 100% of the shots you don't take, so it was worth trying. 

Easy day

Woke up and did an easy run on the waterfront, finishing up with a half mile strider, not too bad, it felt good to stretch out the old legs. Then I came back and started working on my situps for my upcoming physical fitness assessment, need to work on those more, and pushups, need to get after those. 

After work I headed to meet some friends for happy hour before we cashed in our vouchers for Nationals tickets, it was the last night regular season game. We had bought a five game package together and got a voucher for a sixth. We were winning when I left after the 7th inning, my friends left me after the 6th inning, I felt really creepy watching the game alone so I walked home. One of the times I love living three blocks from the park .

Ice Baths are magical

I was not nearly as sore as I expected today, and even made a stop over to Crossfit after work. 

10 min EMOM

1 Hang Clean

1 Clean

2 Jerks

Then:

5 min AMRAP

Bear Complex

( Squat clean, thruster, over the head, back squat, thruster, over the head and down)

I got 18 done with 65#, not too shabby. 

Gonna Beat the Bridge!!

 Did my longest run today, 20 miles, I will get one more of those in before the marathon, I don't think I want a long taper because I don't feel super prepared after those two weeks off. For the first time I paused my run timer while I was stopped at lights etc. and if I can keep this up on race day I will be fine for getting to 20 miles with 14 minute miles. 

I made sure I wouldn't run out of water this time, took the hand held bottle and my camel back. I also downloaded some Jillian Michaels podcasts for more motivation, started listening to them after 12 miles, and it totally worked! I love music, but when you need a little push, just hearing her voice helped me get a little more pep in my step and prevented me from walking. 

I also tried an ice bath for the first time. It has already helped reduce the pain from running. I bought two bags from CVS then used up all the ice from my freezer. By bundling up it really wasn't that bad and I will definitely do it again. 

It wasn't especially pretty, but it is done!

Very first ice bath!

Yoga day

Started this morning with a three mile run and then some stretching. Sooo sore from two days of crossfit in a row. 
And I had the day off!! So after the run I got started on some laundry and took a nap before heading over to Mount Vernon. Once I got there my suspicions that I hadn't ever been before were confirmed. But it was a great outing, the grounds are beautiful, and it had me feeling all sorts of patriotic. 
Tonight was the last free yoga at Yards Park, gonna have to find a new place to yoga, and actually pay. White people problems. 

Tuesday

Got going at 0600 for a four mile run, it was rough, but got it done. 

Did the whole work thing, that was a bummer, man do I hate working in my office. 

Got on a roll with Crossfit! Day two! We did 4x400m repeats, not super fun, came in dead last, also a bummer. Then we worked on plancheing. It's this ridiculous thing sort of like a plank, but with your feet off the ground. 

Well............

Here I am. It's been a minute since I've written, and here's why... my dad died. So it got more than just my marathon training off track, for a few weeks. But this is the week. I'm gonna get it back. 

I went for a 7 mile run yesterday. It was supposed to be 20. Let's pretend it wasn't. 20 is happening next weekend. It's going to happen. 

Went to the chiropractor today, getting my hip back into fighting shape. 

AND! I went to crossfit tonight. Got up to 115# on my front squat. Then we did a 12 min AMRAP with 50 squat cleans and 100 double unders, I got up to 89 double unders! 

Tomorrow morning, 4 mile run. 

On a roll

Nearly 3 miles of long hills, then swimming after work. I'm back!

Emerging from the Pit of Despair

Last week was pretty much a wash, after getting some unexpected news last Sunday night I was pretty much a mess and wallowing in self-pity. That combined with DC Restaurant Week, and it was a perfect storm of laziness. 

BUT THAT IS DONE!!!

Ran 14 miles yesterday, it took a little longer than I expected and it was proof positive that you shouldn't take the week off and then run a half marathon. I was in sooooo much pain. I can't believe I have to basically double it. 

This was in the first two miles. 

Around mile 5 at the Kennedy Center

The Scottish Rite just before mile 10. 

I also got to take the day off and babysit last week!

Went to the Nats game Friday.

Gettin' goofy.

And the Nats WON! Off a grand slam that I missed because I was buying drinks. But I got to see a two run homer off Bryce Harper. 

Then today I forgot I had Fitness Enhancement Program to run, my legs were basically dead so it was all pushups and situps. 

After that it was on to Crossfit where I got 23 doubleunders in a row! Excitement. 

On a roll for the week. 

Hump Day

Extra sore this morning so I cut the 4 mile run down to 2, supposed to be 7 tomorrow morning, we'll see how that goes. I also did yoga tonight, I needed it badly! I am so tight, I think I may need a massage as well. So tired. Getting into bed early tonight. 

Now I'm watching Misty May and Kerri Walsh kill it on the sand court. 

Thanks Buddy!

Sometimes you need someone else to motivate you, I would certainly have trouble getting up early to run three mornings a week if Christine wasn't outside waiting for me. 

Hills this morning were pretty brutal, 5 times up Capitol Hill, which at .2 miles each is a mile of hills. It's kind of nice to know exactly what you need to be done and count down. 

Beautiful Sunset!

I had less than zero desire to go to the gym tonight, but I texted my buddy Christine and she gave me the motivation to get off the couch. I was really grateful for that extra push. 

CrossFit tonight was snatch progressions and 5 rounds of 200m row, 3 hang power snatches (55#) and 7 overhead squats (55#) followed by two minutes rest. I finished in 15:40, the point was to do it well, not fast. Overhead squats aren't my favorite, I really need to work on my flexibility. 

The Capitol from afar. 

Happy Monday!

I can't be the only person that is a little sad the Olympics are more than half over, and really sad that Ryan Lochte don't have any more races. 

HOT!!!!

Today I did CrossFit, it's an "unload" week, which is supposed to be a little break. We did some shoulder press with only 55-75% of max. Then the MetCon was 3 rounds of 50 double unders and 30 wall balls with a 16# ball with up to a 2 minute rest after each round. I finished in 14:19, and the best part is I did it Rx'd. Getting there with double unders, I had 14 in a row!

Hills in the morning... no really looking forward to that. 

Weekend Success!

I took my rest day on Friday so I could kick butt at 31 Heroes on Saturday with my Battle Buddy from Iraq, Molly. We did the fundraiser last year at Al Asad, but it was a little different, instead of running with sandbags (which ironically we didn't have) we did tire flips, instead of a rope climb we did pull ups, and we did different numbers of thrusters and box jumps. 

We "won" last year. 

We did 75# for the thrusters - 8 reps, I scaled the rope climb - 6 reps, and 11 box jumps - 24" Rx'd. The workout is 31 minutes long and you switch off with your partner who is running 400m with a sand bag, we used 25#. It was exhausting, but totally worth it. We completed 6 rounds with an additional 3 thrusters, not too shabby. 

Thrusters!

Molly can actually climb the rope. 

That's me in the background scaling. 

We're pretty badass. 

This morning I ran 10 miles and it felt great! Shockingly actually. I ran nearly the whole time, only stopping to take a couple pictures, eat a few Gu Chomps, and refill my water bottle. It was a little painful, but overall really great. I finished in 2:03 averaging 12:30 miles, next week's long run in 14 miles, I think that is where I'll really regret missing those runs before. 


Here are the pictures I stopped to take. 

Aspiration and Literature by Rock Creek Park. 

Sacrifice on Memorial Bridge. 

John Paul Jones, Father of the US Navy. 

Almost there

My run got cut a little short because I overestimated DC traffic, that never happens. So while I was finishing up mile 3 I got a call from my mom that they were at my apartment. Instead of doing all 6 miles I wrapped it up with 4.5, but it was worth it to spend more time with the rents. Did get a few pictures by the WWII memorial though.
Another early day at work tomorrow, then judging a high school computer competition.

Party all the time

Where to start? Last Wednesday, ran three miles before I loaded up, got on the train and headed up to BWI and flew to San Diego. 


I had an amazing time in SD, shared a condo with three of my favorite ladies, ran 6.5 miles with them, went to my college best friend's wedding, and hit the Gaslamp for a bachelorette party for another Navy friend. 

Running at Sunset Cliffs. 

Best Day Ever Face!

My legs were a little more sore from dancing than from running this weekend, and I don't know why my crazy ass thought I would be able to get a long run in after a transcontinental flight... 

Besties!

But this week is going well so far. CrossFit on Monday, we got to a 2 rep max, I got up to 115#. Then did three sets of 2@90%. The MetCon was 3 RFT of 50 double unders, 10 push jerks with 75#, 30 second rest then max chest to bar pull ups, followed by a minute rest. I finished in about 13 minutes, with all the rest the time isn't all that important. I was mostly proud that I got 20 double unders in a row during one of the rounds. 


Tuesday morning Christine and I did a 6 mile run, I felt pretty good for it. Then CorssFit was more running. 5 rounds of 300m row and 200m sprint followed by 2 minutes of rest. I finished in 20:15. I had to do some math for my round splits and had to take a picture so I wouldn't forget the times. 

This morning we did 5 miles, it was a little rough, but got through it. 


I've been having trouble getting back on East Coast time, partially because of the Olympics. So no yoga tonight because I fell asleep after work... oops. 


Won't be able to run in the morning because I'm on duty and have to get into work early, there's no way I can get up any earlier, so I'll just run after work. 

Headed back to Cali, Cali

I'm on leave! Going to San Diego for my college bestie's wedding. 

Ran 3 miles this morning trying to keep a 10k pace, about 11 min miles. Went pretty well even though my plantar fasciitis was acting up. I've been rolling my foot on a frozen golf ball, it's like heaven. 

Hit up CrossFit tonight as well. We did 8 rounds of a clean progression: tall clean, hang power clean, and hang squat clean with 55#. 

The MetCon was 3 rounds of 7 Front Squats 65#, 14 Burpees, 21 Wall Balls 12# with 2 minute breaks between rounds. I finished in 11:20, not too shabby. 

Run in the morning then off to California!

Another weekend of epic failure

Well, at least as far as running is concerned. I will blame it on my being a last minute packer. I remember looking at my running shoes and telling myself "Don't forget to pack them." And I did. And I didn't realize it until I was back in Detroit, and considering that I missed my first flight, had I realized it sooner I totally could have gotten them. Oh well, it was a good weekend except for that. And I got to hang out with my cousins for a bit before my flight and didn't have to pay for parking, though I will NEVER drive to BWI again, I will always take the metro and MARC. 

Everyone in my family loves chocolate, yes all of them. 

I headed home for my friend Emily's birthday, she's in town from Switzerland while she waits on some paperwork for a work visa. There was also a first birthday for my friend's baby. It was an adorable party, the theme was "You are my sunshine" and there were lots of suns cut out of paper plates with Maggie's hand prints on them and HUNDREDS of pictures hung on twine with mini clothes pins like streamers all down the walls. There was also tons of great food and I got to hang out with three of my best friends from high school. 

Book that doubles as a birthday card? Yes!

She loved the clothes too. 

We left the party after a few hours because my friend Steph had to work them Emily and I went shopping, that part was pretty phenomenal, we purchased a whole outfit in about an hour from three stores. Emily is basically my personal shopper and the reason I don't just wear Penn State shirts everyday and my huge Casio G-Shock watch everywhere (she had to talk me out of wearing it to prom). I got a dress at Marshalls, some AMAZING sandals at Famous Footwear, and jewelry at JCPenny. A great trip and I wore the outfit out that night and will probably wear it for the rehearsal dinner this Thursday. My favorite purchase was by far the sandals. 

Aren't they cute! [Source]

That night we went out in Royal Oak for Emily's birthday after her dad made us a wonderful dinner. We met up with our friends Ryan and Alexa who she went to school with and I used to hang out with in San Diego, but they just moved to Austin so Ryan can start the MBA program at UT. I was so glad to see them! They had just had dinner with some of their other friends so we all hung out to grab a drink. We started out at a bar called Goodnite Gracie, but it was way too loud for conversation so we went down the street to a seafood restaurant with a good looking bar and hung out there for another couple of hours. I had such a great time and am grateful that I got to spend Emily's birthday with her for the first time in a long time.

Sunday morning I grabbed breakfast with my parents on our way to the airport then headed back south. I hung out with the cousins a bit more then headed home to run... then I may have fallen asleep on the couch. Whoops?

Today was great because I got a call in the morning (while still laying in bed talking myself into getting up) that there was a water main break and to hold off on coming in. They eventually fixed it, but because I already had my computer here they let me work from home. Win. I had another chiro appointment after work and then hit up Crossfit tonight. 

We worked on shoulder press progressions. 

3-3-3 Strict Press - I got up to 75#

2-2-2 Push Press - I got up to 95#

1-1-1-1-1 Push Jerk - I got up to 120#

Pretty proud of myself for all that. I think those are all PRs. 

The MetCon was really fun. Okay maybe not. Two rounds of 200m run with 45# plate (25# for ladies), 200m farmer's carry with as much as you could carry (I did 35# kettle bells each hand), and a 200m sprint. I finished in 8:36 so I was really happy with that as well. 

Now I'm going to hit up the foam roller and get some sleep because I do actually have to go to work tomorrow. 

Man am I lazy

This may be why diaries have never worked for me before, oh well, I'm back now. 

So last Friday I took my off day with pleasure, went to the chiropractor, worked from home then had a great night with friends. First we went to Truckeroo, which is an awesome food truck event at the "Fairgrounds" by the ballpark, so only about 3 blocks away. 

My friend Sam enjoying some potstickers from Hot People. 

Next we went over to the Smithsonian Sculpture Garden for Jazz in the Park. It was very fun, we got to hang out and talk, listen to some music and drink some really overpriced sangria. 

Genuinely no idea what this is supposed to be. 

Again, no idea, but it looks pretty cool. 

After that we headed to Momoyama sushi for some dinner, it's pretty much the only sushi restaurant I've yet found within a reasonable distance, and it's cheap and delicious. 

National Gallery of Art on the way. 

Also a statue of a Union General Meade near the restaurant. 

So after some awesome sushi we headed to Iron Horse in Chinatown. They have skeeball, which to me says awesome bar, but I didn't get to play because some people were hogging nearly all night. It was really fun because one of my old shipmates moved into town and made the trek from Georgetown to hang out. It was really great to see him, we haven't hung out since before I went to Iraq and he went to Afghanistan. 

DC Court of Appeals on the way to the bar.

Saturday was supposed to be a trip to the beach with my family but it was storming all morning so that went out the window. We ended up dong some shopping at the ReStore, it's a store that sells really cheap home improvement stuff and furniture which has been donated to Habitat for Humanity that they can't use for one reason or another. My cousins bought a huge coffee table for their basement which is the perfect height for kicking up your feet and for little Mackie to draw on. The night ended with Love Actually from Netflix, my cousin's wife had never seen it and I could not let that continue, such a great movie!


Sunday was fun filled and action packed. It started with mini golf at the National Building Museum. 

Sam again. 

This hole was really creative, but I didn't do so well at it. 

My friend Jacob at the hole which is a model of the park going in by my house. 

Each hole was designed and built by a DC firm and had a DC theme. 

This may have been the most creative one, it's a model of the Potomac River's topography, or whatever the underwater equivalent is.

Jacob giving it a shot. 

Our whole little group. 

While this outing was really fun, it took FOREVER! We got there at noon (it opened at 1100) and had to wait in line for tickets, then in line for the actual mini golf. Sunday probably wasn't a good choice, but they are only open until 1700 on weekdays and I don't think my boss would let me take off early to go play putt-putt. 

My friend Diane ended up coming into town Sunday night and we grabbed some dinner on 8th street and caught up. She ended up staying until Wednesday morning, which is part of why I haven't written in forever. 

In any case, running didn't really happen this weekend so I tried to make up for it on Monday with 5 miles. Then we did hills on Tuesday, running up Capitol Hill four times. Wednesday was four miles. Today was supposed to be six, but I was whipped, Christine and I ended up walking three this morning and I walked three on my way home from Crossfit. I want to get the miles in, but I also don't want to overtrain or burn out. I think not skipping weekends will keep me on track. 

I felt exhausted this morning and then all day, I really think I need my rest day tomorrow. 

Did Crossfit Monday, it was a double Tabata workout with kettle bell swings and V-situps. I used a 25# kettle bell and got over 200 total reps in the 16 rounds (8 of each). I can't remember the number, whoops. 

Screen on the Green walking home from Crossfit on Monday.

I really love the way the Capitol looks all lit up. 

I really can't remember what building this is, or why I took a picture. Oh well. 

Went back to Crossfit tonight, it was a benchmark WOD, these are used to measure your progress through time, so I think we'll do it again in a month or so. Today was "Isabel" it is 30 Power Snatches for time. I used 65# and finished in 4:08. I'm pretty pleased with that, the coach said four minutes is a good time and means you were scaled appropriately. I'm pretty sure if I tried to do the Rx'd 95# I would have collapsed. 

After the WOD I felt revitalized and wanted to run home, but had brought a bag which would have been cumbersome and annoying, so I just walked, but I took a new route. 

Smithsonian Castle with amazingly few people around, in fact the whole mall was pretty barren. 

Statue outside of the National Museum of the American Indian. They apparently have amazing food which I will have to check out soon. 

Part of the Botanical Gardens and what I believe is the Longfellow building behind it. I hadn't noticed before today that there was even a fountain in this garden. 

Now I'm home, just finished a protein shake and watching a lightening storm roll in.