CHRISTMAS LIGHT RUN

A wonderful tradition in DC, is the annual Christmas Light Run. This year I got to enjoy it with alot of my running friends, as well as many of the DC Tri Club members. We began at Union Station, which overlooks the US Capitol, then headed down to the National Mall across to the Washington Monument, and then over to the White House eliptical where we stopped and sang carols at the National Christmas Tree.

From there we ran up and down the streets of downtown DC, where all the people we encountered stopped and cheered, phoned their friends, and took pictures of nearly 400 jingle-bell wearing, santa-hat clad runners. The highlight of the run was our stop at the "Blue Christmas Tree" outside the Federal Police Station. The Blue Christmas Tree symbolizies all the men and women of our police force who have given the ultimate sacrifice in their duty to protect and serve.

We changed the words to the traditional "Oh Christmas Tree" song and sang this version at the Blue Christmas Tree:

Blue Christmas Tree, Blue Christmas tree,
We love our Christmas Light Run!!

We like to sing, we like to run
To do them both, is so much fun
Blue Christmas Tree, Blue Christmas Tree
We love our Christmas Lights Run!!

We are all filled with Christmas Cheer
That's why we do this every year
Blue Christmas Tree, Blue Christmas tree
We love our Christmas Lights Run!!

We gather 'round to sing to you
beneath your twinkling lights of blue
Blue Christmas Tree, Blue Christmas Tree
We love our Christmas Lights Run!!

It's cold and dark but we've no fear
Instead we're filled with Yultide Cheer
Blue Christmas Tree, Blue Christmas Tree
We love our Christmas Lights Run!!

'A Caroling with joy we come
A merry group to sing and run
Blue Christmas Tree, Blue Christmas Tree
WE love our Christmas Lights Run!!

You stand alone with grace and pride
Your spirit keeps us warm inside
Blue Christmas Tree, Blue Christmas Tree
We love our Christmas Lights Run!!


We finished back at Union Station, completing about 5 miles and many, many Christmas carols, and headed off to the Union Pub for some fine post-run refreshments!

For all the pictures from this year's run, and if you're interested in doing the Christmas Lights Run next year, please check out their website: www.christmaslightrun.com

IF HILLARY CAN DO IT, SO CAN I!

What the hell does that mean? Well, today I turned 35. The absolute LAST milestone birthday until I'm eligible for AARP. Yup, my driving insurance is now at the lowest it will ever be, and I can offically put my name in the hat for President of the United States.

Which seems somewhat fitting now that I'm living in Washington, DC. However, oddly enough, today I want nothing to do with DC or anything Presidential.

What was supposed to be a great celebration with my girlfriends at a great restaurant for dinner and then a co-ed party afterward with that All-American classic game of bowling, turned into an utter disaster.

First, the bowling alley wouldn't let me make a reservation until 24 hrs before, and then had the gall to laugh at me and actually comment "Don't you know it's the holiday season? We've been booked for months." For those who know me really well, you can imagine how the remainder of that conversation went.

To top it off, traffic was bad, and not all my 'party' made it on time to our dinner reservation, so we lost out on our table (another rude comment by the hostess with the mostest regarding the busy holiday season....) and so we had to dine in the bar.


But, to put it all in perspective, at the end of the night, I got to spend the evening with some really great friends who have come to mean alot to me since moving to DC. That's what matters most, being with those who make me happy!

Thank God I don't have to have another party until I turn 55, or is it 60?

ARLINGTON WREATH LAYING CEREMONY

Every year at precisely noon, at every National Cemetery across the country, thousands of wreaths are laid at the base of the headstones of the brave men and women who gave their lives to this country and our pursit of liberty and freedom for all.

It was a great treat, although it was freezing, to get to see the wreath-laying ceremony and all those wreaths that adorn the markers at Arlington National Cemetery.


Additionally, I got to witness, for the first time, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and all the ceremony that surrounds that most precious asset that we have.







We also walked over to the eternal flame, the final resting place of JFK and Jackie O. That was also very sobering to see. I have to say, the view from his grave is unbelievable, even on this frigid, grey, overcast winter day.



If you've never been, I highly encourage EVERYONE to get to Arlington at some point.

CHRISTMAS IN WASHINGTON

Live, from the White House! Today we got to take the hottest tour in town, a White House Christmas Tour! It was beautiful. This is the only time of year that us "commonfolk" are allowed to actually take photos inside the White House, so I hope you enjoy the pictures!

I was fortunate enough to have a friend who works in the White House, across the hall from the First Lady's Office, and she was able to get me and Chris on the exclusive "invite" list to get a tour. I had to lure Chris in with little white lies of schmoozing and boozing with the President, but even though that didn't happen, I think he kinda enjoyed the tour. Certainly not as much as I did, but oh well!


We started off in the East Wing, where we walked through the wide hallway connecting us to the main house. From here there's a clear view of the Washington Monument, and this time of year, the National Christmas Tree.

As we moved through the house, there were live carolers, barbershop quartets, and even a high school choir all the way from Georgia!


The fireplace mantels and the many Christmas Trees were stunning. And did I mention the gingerbread house? Every little piece of it is completely edible! I saw a special on the Food Channel about the chef who makes them every year, it's quite the "cake decorating" project!

It was a great tour, and I was very happy that I got to share it with someone!

Merry Christmas from Washington!

Girls On The Run Reindeer Romp!

Back in September I decided to volunteer as a coach for a program called Girls On The Run! Myself along with two other gals, Mandie and Anna, coached seventeen 3rd and 4th grade girls in an afterschool "life-changing, non-competitive, non-profit prevention program to educate and prepare girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living."

Wow, what an experience! First off, do you have any idea how much ENERGY 3rd and 4th grade girls have?! And, while they thought it was cool that I was in the Navy and "killed people" (their words, definitely not mine!) they had absolute total disregard for my positional authority! It took a whole different set of leadership tools to get through to those girls!

But it was all worth it when Saturday, 12 of the 17 showed up on a cold, drizzly, December morning with their jingle-bell bracelets, running gear, and smiling faces and we took off to run the 5K race.





In the spirit of the "non-competitiveness" I ran a Personal Record slowest time ever of 41:46, as I kept pace with two of the girls, Anna and Kelly. They were both great, and I knew that I had at least succeeded in introducing them to the lifestyle I love so much when Anna said at Mile 1 "Wow, I'm actually having fun running!"

I don't know if my new job will allow me to coach again, but it was definitely a good experience, and I'm very glad I did it!

Race Results
Race Pictures

Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!

The first snow of the season has arrived! It snowed all day Wednesday, and into the night, but I couldn't get out for a run.


So today at lunch I headed out into the very chilly 30 degree air and had an UNBELIEVABLE run in the snow today! The sun was shining gloriously upon the pure white snow, the Monuments looked so serene and beautiful against the blue background of the sky and the shimmering snow below....I was supposed to run for 3 miles, ended up running 5 (oops--now icing my bad foot under the desk).

Strangely enough, the "storm" caught everyone off guard, so there was none of the usual craziness that usually arrives with the snow. They didn't freak out and have a run on bread, milk, and water at the store, and we didn't even get sent home early Wednesday or have a weather delay this morning!

It definitely feels like December now! Can't wait for Christmas, hopefully it will be a white one!


I've posted more photos of my run through the Mall online.