Hello Saturday Long Runners!
It's what my father would've called "a scorcher" out there tomorrow morning, with temperatures in the mid-70s and humidity in the mid-90s. This is all to say be careful on your run tomorrow, bring water, and take care of eachother. There is no shame in turning around early, calling it a day and hopping on the metro, or taking it A LOT easier than you normally would. Normally I'd have moved the start earlier, but if we're being honest it's going to be just as gross at 6 AM and the humidity will be worse, so we'll keep tomorrow at our normal start time of 7 AM.
The Route: Someone call Dickens, we've got another thing to add to Things That Never Die and it's RFK Stadium (strava, gps, pdf). We'll head down the Mall and through Capitol Hill down to RFK Stadium, which I've been told will be gone "any day now" for about. two years. This just means every trip we take that direction might be the last, so savor the moment.
Want Something Shorter? Though we technically run on different sides of the street, this route is an out and back, so turning around at any point will get you any number of miles. If you want landmarks, the top of Capitol Hill will get you 9 miles and Lincoln Park will be 11 round trip!
Need a Longer Route? Head around the back of RFK to the Anacostia Riverwalk trail to add some miles! For more shade, stay on the West Bank (that's the side RFK is on), instead of crossing over to the East Bank.
Thirsty? Thanks to Kate (the best, wait no, the great!) Scott for post-run drinks and former-president Ben Richter (he thought he'd lose that designation, but he won't) for mid-run drinks. Ben will be along East Capitol Street in the morning! There are also water fountains dotted throughout the mall, most of which are turned on!
Need a Bathroom? There are temporary bathrooms outside of the Lincoln Memorial and permanent ones outside of the Washington Monument that are good bets for tomorrow morning!
Sacre bleu! Mid July already? That means it's time for the Bastille Day 5K, which will be this Monday (Bastille Day) at 7 PM at Belle Haven Park. Come celebrate and practice your french, or better yet volunteer!
Happy Running!
Anna
