Back in D.C.

I ran 7 miles yesterday at dusk (more mosquito bites despite spraying on DEET). Ran fairly slowly, and I had energy to spare at the end. So I ran up the gazillion steps of the Washington Masonic National Memorial, jogged down, then ran up again, repeating twice more, snorting like a horse on its last legs.

Whew. I thought my heart was going to jump out of my chest. The tourists taking in the sights from the top of memorial looked at me as if I was insane.

'Morning, Sunshine!: This morning was supposed to be my 10-mile long run. I woke up at 6:20 a.m., plenty of time to brush my teeth, wash my face and have some yogurt and coffee before heading out at 7 to run along the Potomac.

I sat up in bed, yawning. Gosh, I was tired; I didn’t sleep until 1 a.m. the night before. I lay back in my soft, welcoming bed, thinking, “I’ll rest just for a sec.”

I woke up again at 10:20. $*%@!! I’m such a slacker. Too late for a run, and I barely made it on time to meet my friend, S., for lunch and a matinee showing of "Me, You and Everyone We Know." Which is a great little movie, fyi. Very quirky and true.

When I got home in the late afternoon, I had the bright idea to clean the house - not an easy task, as we have 3-story place. (E.'s driving back from California, and will be home by Wednesday. And the house was a mess.) I finished at dark. Whaddya know, too late to run. I did do a few sprints up and down a nearby hill, though.

It’s mind-boggling what I'll do to get out of my long run. It'd be easier if I had a regular running partner. But if no run today, then tomorrow, after work. I have to put in the mileage.

Happy Birthday, America: By the way, I avoided the Mall for tonight’s Independence Day fireworks. Too much of a hassle. As a D.C. resident, you’re obliged to go once or twice to the Mall to see the fireworks. Then you avoid the tourist-heavy crowds and 15-mile radius traffic gridlock like the plague.