In 2019 I set a goal to run 10 half marathons in a year (my usual average has been around 5). With the IronMan Rock and Roll series, I could go for a “Heavy Metal” challenge. The 2020 race season started great with Phoenix and New Orleans, but quickly ended thanks to the pandemic. One of the first races to be canceled was DC.
This year, I finally got to run this location! The last time I was in the US Capitol was sometime around 1994. Having been there and done most of the tours, it was not a location that was high on my desired list as I tend to prioritize new experiences.
This trip and race truly delivered a great weekend trip.
On Saturday, I took the metro and explored. First, I visited the race expo to collect my running bib and shirt.
Next, I headed for Union Square to view the US Capitol Building (congress and senate). Architecturally speaking, I love seeing this building. Politically, not so much…
After that, I walked along the park to the Washington Monument. It was a treasure trove of food trucks. I didn’t go into any of the museums, but did enjoy a little bit of people-watching.
Following that, I walked over to the Tidal Basin for some Sakura and to view the Jefferson Monument. The flowers were beautiful and I got quite the military air show as helicopters were constantly flying overhead.
Returning to my hotel, I had dinner and went to bed early.
The next day, I rode the metro to a station a few blocks from the starting line. It was a rather cold (50deg F/10deg C) and cloudy morning. I wish I would have brought my long-sleeve running shirt. I watched the start of the race, then took my place.
It ended up being a surreal experience. The first part passed the Washington Monument, the White House, and the Lincoln Memorial.
Then we looped into a park along the river and headed north running a semi-circle route around the main city. It felt familiar, reminding me of my running days in Ohio exploring the emerald necklace (Cuyahoga Valley NP) and Cleveland neighborhoods.
The final part featured a run towards the Capitol Building. By this part of the day, it was a mix of sun and clouds. I finished strong near RFK Stadium, collected my medals, and headed back to my hotel (and then on to the airport) highly satisfied with another fitness achievement.
