So, I know it’s going to potentially snow later this week and this is all one huge tease, but you guys. It’s SO NICE in DC right now! Yesterday it was 60 degrees and sunny – it was even warm enough to enjoy lunch outside! I met a friend at Teaism, an old fave. Love their bento boxes!
When I went back to the office after lunch I pounded through a ton of work quickly, and then at 4 I decided – you know what? It’s insanely gorgeous out and might not be again for quite awhile. I don’t have any more calls or meetings and I’m caught up on time-sensitive work. I’m getting the heck out of here so I can enjoy this gorgeous day!
So, I came home and read Runner’s World for awhile on the porch (p.s. how cool does this bridge run in Laos look?!), and it was absolutely glorious.
And then, I convinced Matt to also duck out of work a little early (early by DC standards that is – neither of us usually get home until 7 or so) so we could go play tennis! He made it home a little after 5 and we quickly changed and headed out. We were at the courts by 5:30 and had them all to ourselves. 🙂 Best weeknight ever!
Matt and I love playing tennis together. We play some on the weekends when the weather is nice, and if it’s gorgeous out during the week we try to play after work, but we don’t usually make it to the courts until 6:30 or so, at which point they are mobbed. So this was a big treat – no line and no waiting! I love that Arlington has so many free community courts.
We ended up playing for about an hour. So fun – we both had lots of energy and the temperature was perfect, even once it was dark.
As for this morning, I continued to take advantage of the weather and hit up the track! What was supposed to be a rainy morning/day ended up changing to partly cloudy – excellent. The whole gang was out today in honor of the warmer temps, and we had a great workout on the docket – a ladder of sorts where the intervals got shorter but faster. Here’s what we did today:
- Warm up jog (I did about 0.5 miles)
- 1 mile (4 laps) at half marathon pace
- 2 minutes rest (walking or doing some active stretches)
- 1200m (3 laps) at 10 miler to 10k pace
- 2 minutes rest
- 1200m at 10 miler to 10k pace
- 2 minutes rest
- 800m (2 laps) at 5k pace
- 2 minutes rest
- 800m at 5k pace at 5k pace
- Cool down jog (I did 1 mile)
I’m happy to report I felt great out there today! Remember how when I went to the track last week on Thursday for the first time in ages and I was way behind my usual track pace buddy? Well, today I was able to keep up with her again! Yay! My coaches were saying maybe I just needed to shake the rust off a bit and that I haven’t lost as much speed as I think. Or, maybe it’s just that I’m FINALLY legit over my endless cold and have my normal energy back. I bet all those squats and lunges I’ve been doing in boot camps have helped because my legs felt strong out there! Haven’t seen numbers like this on my watch in ages (just includes the workout portion – not the warm up and cool down):
Since you’re probably tired of seeing photos of me running around a track and/or photos of an empty track, instead, here’s a photo of me doing a cartwheel on the infield. Because, why not? 🙂
And now, time to get cracking on the to do list! I’m working from home today so if the rain holds off I think I’ll save my lunch break and use it as an afternoon walking break instead. 🙂 It’s supposed to be almost 70 degrees today?! Ahhh! 🙂
Have a fabulous day guys!
Is the weather nice where you are right now too? It’s amazing how much the weather, especially sunshine, affects my mood. I’m SO much happier if it’s nice out!
p.s. Completely unrelated to this post, but my good friend, videographer/photographer Ben Powell, has been working for years on an amazing documentary following five Muslim students from Somaliland as they pursue their dreams of attending higher education in the US – a feat that hasn’t been completed in 30 years. Please consider supporting their kickstarter project to fund the completion of this important documentary. Click here to learn more, to donate, and to watch the documentary preview video, which is excellent.
