A few thoughts about running:

1. I could have run yesterday's race faster. I haven't run a 5k in SO LONG. I didn't realize it was such a short-feeling distance, considering that most of my training runs are 4-6 miles. Before I knew it I hit the mile 3 marker and started the .12 sprint, but I still finished feeling like I had a ton of energy left and missing my goal time (sub 27) by about a minute. :-/ meh. I still ran the race with negative splits the whole time, which was one of my goals, with the fastest being around a 9 minute mile. I'm also stoked that my "hill work" back and forth on the Severn River Bridge has been paying off. Yesterday's hills were no problem. :) The whole first mile of the race was largely up hill. After moving from pancake-flat Denmark and running a hilly 8k that I struggled with, I knew I needed to work on my hills. I still think I need a bit of work on letting off the breaks on my downhills, but I'm doing much better.

2. I've got another race coming up this weekend, the Susan B. Komen Race for the Cure in Hunt Valley, Maryland. If anyone would like to donate for the cure, please click here. Thank you!

3. During much of my run yesterday I was running behind this girl in a green skirt. I used her as my pace marker for most of the race, then at the end I zipped past her. It was a great feeling. It's also an awesome feeling to pass men/boys. :)

4. I saw someone take a GU around mile 2 of the 5k I ran yesterday. Seriously, a GU. After about 18 minutes of running. Do you really need that? Also... those of you that were wearing fuel belts... seriously?

5. I hate when it is clearly stated in the race packet that headphones are not allowed and PEOPLE WEAR THEM ANYWAY. I LOVE running in headphones. I run all my training runs in headphones. I think I run faster with a good beat. But I respect race rules and run without them when they are prohibited. It sucks, but if I can do it, you can do it. Sing a song in your head, listen to the runners around you or supporters on the street, play a game (I like shoe counting - count 5 of one brand and move on to the next), check out people's outfits (my favorite yesterday was the guy in the white shirt with "Chuck Norris counted to infinity." written on it with a sharpie), do long division or solve a logical proof in your head (okay, am I the only dork that does this?). If I can do it, you can do it. I'm sure I'm not the only one hating on you for feeling like the rules don't apply for you. And if I "accidentally" nail you with my elbow as I run past in a narrow strip, I'll tell you I warned you I was passing, but unfortunately you just couldn't hear me. :-P

So Sarah Says, running amok and signing off!

Don't Block The Box!! Or the entire street.

I just saw a woman hang a U-ey in the middle of M street in Georgetown. Bold move during today's (and everyday's) traffic. I wondered if she was Danish. Danes pull those kinds of idiot traffic stunts on busy streets (like HC Andersen Boulevard - the busy part by Raadhuspladsen and Tivoli) all the time. But then she "justified" it with a friendly soccer mom smile and a wave to all the angry, honking drivers that were cut off, inconvenienced, and endangered. A Dane would never do THAT. They are way too self-righteous for that. That's where I get it from.
Darwin the Dummies.
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L'Enfant Plaza

Dear Metro drivers,



I don't want to sound condescending, but this has gone on for way too long. I understand that the quality of education you received, your cultural upbringing, and opportunities for international travel may have been somewhat limited in comparison to mine, but you have to understand that L'Enfant Plaza is pronounced L'on-fahnt. The first part, prior to the hyphen, is kind of like a sensual, slightly breathless sound. Its French. Kind of like that fake LV that your babymama is carrying would be if it weren't made in China and bought from a street vendor. It is NOT Ebonics. It should not be pronounced "La Fant." No, that's the girl your son was dating before he started 'hookin up wit Shaniqua'. I thank you kindly for recognizing and remaining cognizant of this distinction for many Metro rides to come.



Sincerely,

Sarah

(And all the other Francophone, knowledgeable, and just plain disgruntled riders of the blue, orange, yellow, and green Metro lines.)



P.S. - I will be moving to Friendship Heights soon, which is on the red line and doesn't go through L'Enfant, so you won't have to worry about me, but try to change for the greater good... And your own personal betterment.

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Michele, I sadly must inform you that I got within 5 kilometers when it asked me the location of the Doge Palace. UGH. I am not proud of this. The Doges and St. Mark's pigeon-filled square haunt my life. You know how much? No photo.