April 4, 2010 (Updated January 18, 2023)

D.C. Cherry Blossom MADNESS

by Anne Mauney, MPH, RD

31 comments

Hello and Happy Easter, for those of you that celebrate it 🙂

I hope you’ve all had a great weekend! We had such gorgeous weather here in D.C.

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Yesterday I headed downtown to the Cherry Blossom Festival to meet up with my friend Jackie from Prague! Yay! It was so great to see her again 🙂

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However, it was a freaking MADHOUSE down there. Cherry Blossoms + beautiful weather + spring break + a weekend = HOLY CRAP!!!!! Look at all these people!!!

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Yikes. We ended up only staying for a few minutes to take pictures and then quickly fleeing the scene! Too. Many. People!!! But still beautiful 🙂

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We decided a better way to spend the rest of the day was to walk to the empty part of the city (by way of the monuments)…

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…and have lunch at Java Green, my favorite veggie place! Mmmmm!

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I ordered the “Temptation,” which was grilled tempeh, spinach, tomato, avocado, and soy cheese (surprisingly good! I was skeptical) on toasted whole wheat. DELICIOUS!!

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I swapped half my sandwich for half of Jackie’s wrap — sharing is way more fun than just eating one thing 🙂

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She had the “Fresh Mozzarella Wrap,” which was spinach, red pepper, tomato, cucumber, onion, basil, pesto, and balsamic vinaigrette on a sun-dried tomato wrap. Also divine!!

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After our late lunch, we met up with Jackie’s family and headed over to the White House to chill with Obama 😉 029

It looks a little different without all that snow, huh?? 🙂 

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Such a fun day 🙂 The rest of the night was spent watching basketball and catching up with Jackie and our friend Sara, also from Prague! Basketball is one of the few sports I like watching on TV — such high action! Great games last night, even though my bracket is dead since Kansas went out so early 🙁

Anyway, this morning was me and my friend Ashley’s last long training run before the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler next weekend! Woohoo! We ran 7 miles. 🙂

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Remember last weekend when it was 30 degrees out when we started our 10 miler!? Yeah, this morning it was more like 80. Wtf?!?! Weather is SO weird this year. But I’m enjoying the sudden warmth 🙂

We had a great run, minus what we liked to call our “Bathroom Tour of D.C.”… lol. Let’s leave it at that 😉

Our splits (not including a couple bathroom breaks!!):

  • Mile 1: 8:16
  • Mile 2: 8:16
  • Mile 3: 8:21
  • Mile 4: 8:36
  • Mile 5: 8:36
  • Mile 6: 8:34
  • Mile 7: 8:36

We finished the 7 miles in 59:14, for an overall average pace of 8:28 min/mile. Woohoo! We’re feeling prepared and excited for the race next weekend. 🙂

I’m off to bed — back to work tomorrow and tomorrow night we have our second Nutrition exam. Goodnight! 🙂

Vegetarian Sandwiches & Burgers
- anne

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31 comments
  • Sana
    I bet D.C was packed, its like people have never seen flowers before ;) That is a bangin' run! Good luck next week! I won't be there- I am breaking ground at a vegetable garden we are starting at a local homeless shelter!
    Reply
  • Diana
    Wow, that place looks so beautiful! Love the cherry blossoms :)
    Reply
  • Lisa
    Hi Anne...it's Lisa from Montenegro! =) I <3 Java Green...it is 1 block away from my old office and I miss it SO much! So delish...
    Reply
  • Lauren
    So amazing!!!! I can't wait to come down this weekend. My husband is there right now for a work conference and he says it's just beautiful. Have a great week Anne and I will see you this weekend!!! :) PS- I am definitely putting Java Green on my list to try this weekend. That sandwich looks fantastic.
    Reply
    • Anne P
      You definitely should! I would totally say we should have had our meet up there, but the problem is it's TINY! Better for very small groups :) See you this weekend!
      Reply
  • Becky
    Such a beautiful time of year in DC. Great run! Good luck in the race :) I know a few people running...have fun!!
    Reply
  • DHP
    Great run w/impressive splits -- and wonderful photos. Clearly, Washington DC at its best! Good luck in the race. Looks like you're primed for a "PR!"
    Reply
  • Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg
    I've always wanted to go to that festival, but DANG-- I never knew it got so crowded!!! I think those crowds would give me a panic attack, lol.
    Reply
  • Evan Thomas
    DC looks soooo beautiful this time of year. They were just covering it on The Today Show
    Reply
  • Beth @ Beth's Journey to Thin
    Wow that's an insane amount of people! I was out of town for the weekend, no wonder traffic was terrible coming out of the city (but lucky for me, not coming back in!)
    Reply
  • Katy
    Oh my. I'm going to have to go to Java Green next time I'm in DC. Those sandwiches look wonderful.
    Reply
  • Julie @SavvyEats
    That is a crazy amount of people! It was gorgeous in Ithaca this weekend, and it was like all these people had been hibernating all winter and decided to come out all at once!
    Reply
  • Kelly
    Wow DC is a madhouse! I was thinking about going down next weekend, but now I am reconsidering, haha.
    Reply
  • Abby
    Man! I want to come down to DC to run that race! It has to be the most beautiful race ever!
    Reply
  • Gena
    Oh, Anne, you're making me want to visit to see the cherry blossoms in action! So beautiful!!!
    Reply
  • Ali (food, fitness, fashion)
    Those Cherry Blossom trees are so gorgeous! the is an insane amount of people btw! And....you are an excellent photographer. I love reading your blog because to always take such beautiful outdoors pictures.
    Reply
  • Julie @ Wearing Mascara
    I looooove the Cherry Blossoms! I was there last week - it's definitely my favorite time of the year in DC.
    Reply
  • Gracie @ Girl Meets Health
    Seriously...this weather has been unreal! It's supposed to go up to 85 later this week in my neck of the woods, and apparently last week there was like a winter nor'easter...? I'm just hoping this warm weather sticks around this time :) I wish we had cherry blossoms around here. I think I'd want to be outside at ALL times. Heck, maybe I'd even take up running ;)
    Reply
  • andrea
    Ill be in the MD. area this wknd any chance for a run in dc on sat? ive always wanted to be there for the cherry blossoms!!
    Reply
    • Anne P
      Well I won't be running since I have the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler on Sunday morning, but you should definitely go down and see them! They're gorgeous!
      Reply
  • Ash Bear
    The pictures turned out wonderfully. I can't stand DC during tourist high points. You had the right idea!
    Reply
  • amanda
    Ugggh I was down there too this weekend for Cherry Blossom fest and I agree it was a complete madhouse!! Btw, good luck on your 10 miler!
    Reply
  • Gabriela (froyolover)
    YAY for that veggie place! Those sandwiches looked divine :D Lovely pics, as always... I bet you two had tons of fun! Have a wonderful week, girl! Brazilian XOXO´s, Gabriela
    Reply
  • rebekah (clarity in creation.)
    those sammies look amazing! i'm headed up to D.C. this sunday and i will add that to the list of possible food stops :) - rebekah ps - hey local buddy (richmond girl here)
    Reply
  • Jes (Self Motivation)
    Your blog is fantastic! I have desperately been wanting to go to DC just to see the cherry blossoms. I think I will plan a trip next year!
    Reply
  • Jackie
    Who is that really cool girl in your photos? Haha I'm a little late on commenting I know. SUCH a great time with you last weekend! We have to do it again soon!
    Reply