Running (Commute) 49:59 [3] 6.35 mi (7:52 / mi) +86m 7:33 / mi
Washington, D.C. From 14th and Independence Ave., SW, down the Mall past the Lincoln Memorial, onto the Rock Creek Trail to National Zoo Dr., up Olmstead Walk to Connecticut Ave, NW. to the Cleveland Park Metro Station. Starting out, it was mid to upper 80's F, with thunderstorms visible but not doing much where I was. I felt slowish with heavy tired quads from cycling. Passing the Reflecting Pool, I was surprised to see that the construction was still continuing. The pool was still completely dug-up but the wooden pilings that they'd been driving into the ground to support the new yet to be built bottom were all sunk and mostly cut off; hardly visible. Some tourists I passed mistook the Korean War Veteran's Memorial for the Vietnam Memorial which is on the other side of the pool. Later the breeze blowing off the river from the coming storm felt good.
At the last bend in the C&O Canal as it leaves Georgetown, I saw a Great Blue Heron fishing just yards away from the Rock Creek Pkwy. and the very busy Pennsylvania Ave. Once past the P St. bridge, my running became more smooth and relaxed but the thundering was louder. I soon passed several bucks hanging out right next to the trail, still close to the parkway and the large DC population, with multiple, and nearly fully pointed racks. A light rain became steadier. Underneath the Calvert St. bridge, but very visible to the cars passing by, someone had written in big lettered graffiti: "Those who trade freedom for security deserve neither". I climbed the Olmstead walk slowly seeing no animals at all, as they were safe inside. It was all good for a stormy run. In the metro system that I took to get back to Bethesda after the run, I again astounded many who wondered how I got so drippy. I think there was more sweat from being in the 100% humidity than the light rain.