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Dec 25 SLR - Christmas Tree Run: Yes, it's happening again

Hello Saturday runners!

Many of us will be enjoying traditions elsewhere on Saturday, but for those who are sticking around, we'll repeat the Christmas Tree run tradition!  The few people who will be here and told me the route they wanted to run have spoken, and they said Christmas Tree Run again!!  (If you don't like it, be more assertive and request routes for future weeks.  I listen.)

Thanks to Carl Ford for leading in my absence and to Mary Ellen Seale for bringing the drinks. 

Also, a few people have mentioned they will meet at 8am SUNDAY because they won't be able to make it Saturday.  Feel free to join them if you are in the same scheduling situation, otherwise have fun this Saturday, December 25 at 8AM with Carl and Mary Ellen, and I'll see you New Year's Day!

CHANGE for Dec 18 SLR - CHRISTMAS TREE ROUTE!

Hello Saturday Runners,

A few people asked to do the Christmas Tree route this weekend, rather than on Christmas Day (although next week is wide open, so it could be repeated if desired).  I aim to please, so we will do Christmas Trees tomorrow!

If you were really, really excited about the Southeast route, I believe the people training for National out of Georgetown Running Co. will be doing that route.  I'm sure they would let you hop in for this week-- after all, it's the holidays.  I do apologize for the late change, but it does seem like this is what the people want. 

Here's the routes, and thanks to Chris Miller for digging up the directions (and for bringing us cue sheets).

2008 Christmas Tree Loop, 13.5 miles: www.usatf.org/routes/view.asp?rID=262091

Starting at Iwo Jima Memorial
Go across Key Bridge - (view tree in Francis Scott Key Park)
Turn right down M St. through Georgetown
Bear right on Pennsylvania Ave. and take until 17th Street
Take Right on 17th and go to South of the White House

Right on E St NW for a view of the tree and the Menorah on the Ellipse

At 15th Street get back on Pennsylvania Ave. (You can go inside the Willard Hotel for a reportedly spectacular tree - and probably a nice restroom)
Continue on Penn Avenue through Freedom Plaza and towards the Capitol.
Just before reaching the Capitol, go diagonally left up Louisiana Ave. to Union Station (There is a tree inside if you want to stop...)
Turn right in front of Union Station then right on First St. NE to go by the Eastern side of the Capitol in front of the Supreme Court.
Turn right on Independence Ave and go down hill
At bottom of hill, take right and see Decorated Tree on Western Side of Capitol.
Run down National Mall past the Washington Monument and towards Lincoln Memorial
At the Lincoln Memorial, turn left along Ohio Drive

To cut the run to about 10 miles, cross the Memorial Bridge and head back to the USMC War Memorial

When you get to the Jefferson Memorial, go around Tidal Basin counterclockwise (If you skip the tidal basin, subtract about 2 miles from run)
At the end of the loop, cross the 14th St. Bridge
Turn right on the Mt. Vernon Trail and then left before the Memorial Bridge
Finish at Iwo Jima Memorial.

10-Mile Route:  http://www.usatf.org/routes/view.asp?rID=262121

Starting at Iwo Jima Memorial
Go across Key Bridge - (view tree in Francis Scott Key Park)
Turn right down M St. through Georgetown
Bear right on Pennsylvania Ave. and take until 17th Street
Take Right on 17th and go to South of the White House

Right on E St NW for a view of the tree and the Menorah on the Ellipse

At 15th Street get back on Pennsylvania Ave. (You can go inside the Willard Hotel for a reportedly spectacular tree - and probably a nice restroom)
Continue on Penn Avenue through Freedom Plaza and towards the Capitol.
Just before reaching the Capitol, go diagonally left up Louisiana Ave. to Union Station (There is a tree inside if you want to stop...)
Turn right in front of Union Station then right on First St. NE to go by the Eastern side of the Capitol in front of the Supreme Court.
Turn right on Independence Ave and go down hill
At bottom of hill, take right and see Decorated Tree on Western Side of Capitol.
Run down National Mall past the Washington Monument and towards Lincoln Memorial
Cross the Memorial Bridge and head back to the USMC War Memorial

Finish at Iwo Jima Memorial.

Also, thanks to Adam Rubinstein, our January post-run beverages are covered!  If anyone wants to get in on February, do let me know!

Thanks to Mary Ellen for providing our December beverages, and to Chris Miller for getting the directions for this week's route, and to Carl Ford for leading the run in my absence on Saturday, December 25. 

Hope to see you all tomorrow!!

Kristin