A Weekend with Family at Great Falls, Maryland

The Great House at Great Falls, Maryland



Overlooking the Falls

Our weekend visitors

Baby Cate loves dogs

The Falls short on water during a dry spell


Bonding outdoors


.FUN.

What Was It?

"There are clubs you can't belong to, neighborhoods you can't live in, schools you can't get into, but the roads are always open." - Nike

What was it that first got you hooked? that gave you the itch? that made you want to be out there, on the road, on the trails, running? What was it that turned you from a tomboy into an athlete?

For me, it was this quote by Nike. It hung above my bed scripted across a poster of a girl running by a white church on a golden evening. There were no hills, there were no roads, just the girl, her legs, thistles of grass, and the open territory.

For me, I envisioned myself being that girl. I envisioned myself running quietly through the open fields using the muscles and strength that God gave me. She looked so calm, so collected, and so strong.

Though, I am pretty sure I got the itch many years before I got the poster. My dad used to time us running around our house. Unfortunately I was always behind my sisters. Sally and Abigail would power through, lift their elbows, and block me out. They were sprinters. It wasn't until much later that I realized I was a long distance runner.

Running and athletics has always been a large part of my life, and a way for my family to bond with eachother. When my family gets together, we still find the time to run, bike, throw the lacrosse ball, hit the tennis ball, or just go for an evening walk. Now it is less about competition, and more about spending time with eachother.

But that is how I got my itch, and my family is what helps me to keep scratching it. They will be there to welcome me at the finish line of the marathon. Hopefully my dad will still be timing me.

From my training tip today:

"At times, you may not progress as fast as you expected. We Americans are traditionally hyperactive and impatient. When we plant a seed, we not only want it to grow, we want it to become a tree by next week. We want results. When you start, you want to see physical and psychological benefits. But if you push too hard, you can tire yourself out and end up quitting in frustration."

I am trying to take the above advice in stride. Despite enjoying my long run this past weekend (enough to go out for a short run with my friend Cynda a couple hours after the 20-miler), and then a 3-mile run the next day...I am ready for the marathon to be over. I have pushed hard all summer, and I am ready to put my training to the test. Training is more time consuming than I thought, and I am starting to get impatient...I want to be done with the training, I want to see if it worked, and I want to know that I can finish a marathon without doubling over. It is four weeks away...not close enough.

20-mile run, and then some

This weekend I ran farther than I have ever run before. Anna and I were to meet up at 6:15am. Early enough for us to get in our run, and then wash up before having a slew of Saturday shopping, chores, etc. to do. However, it seemed to have slipped our minds that the sun does not rise until around 6:45/7:00am. So as soon as we felt comfortable to run with adequate light, we took to the streets. They were still, very quiet, and almost haunting. We kept a great pace and after two miles of chatting, we popped on our i-pods. Cruising along the trails past Falls Church, and then the beltway, we made it to the ten mile marker. We both looked at eachother and smiled. We had never been this far on the trail. As we turned around, our pace quickened. We knew we could do this and it was a great feeling.

Soreness in the knees, ankles, and shins set in around mile 16, but we continued to cruise. It was the perfect running weather. 70s and overcast. We made it to the end of the trails, and the end of our run. We added on an extra mile and a half of walking to stretch out our legs.

With the marathon only a little over a month away, it was very encouraging to finish this run. I have been in a slump since the middle of August, but this weekend put me back on track.

Evening Run

Last night, after getting home from work rather late, I hit the streets of DC for a run. I had been pinned to my desk all day, and my body was itching to get out into the mild weather.

The evening was peaceful against our audacious Capitol.

Running on our National Mall can be quite comforting. As you make your way down the Senate side of the Capitol you have patchy views of the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. After reaching the Washington Monument, turning around, you are hit with the greatness and power of the Capitol..with the lights still on and bodies still moving inside.

I always sprint up the House side of the Capitol, getting a thrill as I pass our Representatives walking across Independence Avenue from their offices to the House floor to vote. I always smile at them. Are they thinking of their families back home? Would they rather be running?

The cool down past the Library of Congress and Supreme Court, weaving through the Senate Office Buildings, then to my doorstep. It is a quick run, 3.5 miles, but filled with views of consequence and significance.

In Scotland, a new game was invented. It was entitled “Gentlemen Only Ladies Forbidden”. . . and thus the word GOLF entered into the English language...

Ahhh, my how times have changed...golf lessons have started

As a city dweller, I enjoy spending my weekends on the golf course... looking up and not seeing any planes or helicopters. I covet the four to five hours without sirens, cars, or horns.

Therefore, to improve my golf game, to give me confidence to play with firends, and to hopefully enjoy the game even more I have started taking golf lessons.

I forgot how much I enjoyed practicing a sport. Much like throwing the lacrosse ball against the wall for hours on end to get better, my golf lessons consist mainly of instruction followed by practice, practice, and more practice.

The more I practice and the better I get, the more I can convince my husband that I need the cute outfits and snazzy shoes.

Running Route

For the last couple of days, I have been running or biking the same route around Hains Point in Washington, DC. It is a 3.14 mile picturesque loop that juts out into the Potomac by the Jefferson Memorial. I don't know if I like it because I feel like a true DC insider when I run it, or if I like watching all the people on their boats, people playing golf, people taking pictures of The Awakening, or planes taking off from Reagan National Airport. But when I run this loop I feel peaceful and calm. I can look across to the busy streets of DC...but only look. For the time that I am moving my legs I am not a part of that rapid lifestyle.



These pictures are from Wednesday night, my first time running the loop. The sun was going down, and the leaves were catching some last minute rays. Tim was riding while I was trying to keep up with him. I was able to do two laps running to his four on the bike.

Change

This week came fast with a thud.

Work has picked up. New interns moved into the dorm. Traffic is back in DC. Congress is back to the grindstone...emotions are again on the rise. Helicopters circle above as I type marking Renquist's move from the Supreme Court to the Capitol. Emails splatter onto my screen.

Even the sun seems stunned...on Tuesday the sun began its slow journey to winter, creeping in later and later, making it harder to get up early for a run, or even to make coffee for that matter. Did that much really change over the Labor Day weekend?

I do however welcome the gorgeous humidity-free weather, abundant blue skies, and crisp mornings.

"Change comes like a little wind that ruffles the curtains at dawn, and it comes like the stealthy perfume of wildflowers hidden in the grass."

John Steinbeck