Our office wasn’t closed on Veteran’s Day, but I was able to observe the holiday by altering my usual running route to visit several of the war memorials that are located between the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument.
The gorgeous morning contrasted with the sacrifices I was remembering.
Observing Veteran’s Day
The memorials along the National Mall are always a sight to see, but visiting them around Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day is even more moving because of the personal notes and mementos people leave.
At the Vietnam War Memorial I saw a group of men I think I see every Veteran’s Day. They stand in a circle, speaking softly, passing around a thermos of what might not be coffee. I know they are remembering people they served with, and their dedication to meeting up year in and year out to honor their friends is deeply moving.
At the World War II Memorial I took time to read some of the inscriptions about the date “which will live in infamy.”
I like visiting the Korean War Memorial when I have it to myself, and there were only a few people walking around when I got there. The design puts you there, and the individuality of the soldiers confronts you with their humanity–and their sacrifice.
The polished black wall is etched with archival photographs of even more troops.
An inscription says it all: Freedom Isn’t Free.
Weekly Run Down
The rest of my week was really good–and not just because I celebrated my birthday. For the first time in months running didn’t suck and during yoga I noticed I had more upper body strength for my chaturanga and crow pose. I still have a ways to go before I’m back where I was this spring, but I finally feel like I am making progress.
Monday: 4 mile Veteran’s Day run.
I took lots of breaks to walk through the memorials, but ran 1+ mile each way to get to/from the Lincoln Memorial grounds.
Tuesday: Strength Workout
Wednesday: Cyclebar
I hadn’t been to Francina’s class in ages and I missed it! She makes the best playlists for a fun fast-paced class.
Thursday: Corepower Yoga
Friday: Orangetheory Fitness
The treadmill block had a “signature” workout called “Catch Me If You Can.” You had to be at a certain distance at 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 minutes, or you were “caught.” I made it to the 9 minute mark where I needed to be at 1.0 miles, but was at 0.93 miles.
I was really pleased I made it that far. I was able to push my pace and run faster than 6.0 mph for several minutes. The floor workout was a good one two. We did a circuit with 12 reps each of skier swings, Bosu ball plank jacks, Bosu ball crunches, Bosu ball back extensions, and TRX Y raises.
Saturday (My Birthday!): 5.4 mile run + yoga
I wanted to run and make it to Anne’s 8:00 yoga class badly enough to set my alarm for 5:30 am on my birthday. I was aiming for 5.2 miles to mark my 52nd birthday, and ended up at 5.4 miles. I felt good, Scooby didn’t yank me after any squirrels, and it was a perfect November day–in the 30s and sunny.
The only “bad” thing was that the cold drained my phone battery which died just as I was trying to get a picture. By the time I had changed for yoga, it had enough life for this selfie with Scooby.
Sunday: Cyclebar
It was grey and breezy, so I opted for Cyclebar instead of an outdoor bike ride. I definitely get more out of my legs when I’ve been up for a few hours and had my coffee.
I apologize if I haven’t replied to your comment from last week. My anti-spam software sometimes keeps me from replying on my own blog! I hope to get it sorted out this week, and promise I read and appreciate every single comment.
Thanks to Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down link up
–join in for motivation and encouragement!
Did you have Veteran’s Day off?
Have you shopped for your Thanksgiving cooking yet?
![The Ultimate Coffee Date](http://got2run4me.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Ultimate-Coffee-Date.png" "The Ultimate Coffee Date")
I love that you did a Veteran’s Day run and your pics are very moving. Nobody had the day off here, neither work nor school. It’s so great to hear you’re feeling better and on your way back to where you were fitness-wise. Is it just me or does it seem like there are lots of blogger birthdays clustered around this time?
Thanks, it feels good to feel good! You’re right, there are a lot of Scorpios around here. 🙂
You did hit up lots of the memorials this week! Hope you had a fantastic birthday. Glad to see that your running is coming back
There are so many close together. I missed Iwo Jima though.
Nice tribute to the men and women who have sacrificed for our freedom. I think that as a country, we are losing our focus on that. Hope you had a great birthday and it’s nice to see you running again!
Ypu and me both! There are a lot of observances around here, but that’s because we have so many memorials and Arlington National Cemetery.
Happy Birthday! Your Veteran’s Day run was so moving and congrats on getting your bday run plus 0.2 miles!
Thank you! It was my longest run in a while!
If I was in the DC area, I’d be right there with you. Maybe it’s because I have a lot of military ties, but I’m always surprised at the number of people who don’t even mention Veteran’s Day on their social media posts. To each his/her own, but I feel so indebted to those who have given far more than I have for our freedom. Anyways, the Korean Memorial is so moving, and kind of eery, by how real the statues look. Thanks for your beautiful tribute run!!
The Korean War Memorial is eerie for sure. The first time I saw it was a foggy morning and that has stayed with me. I try not to judge people by their posts, but it’s hard not to wonder. I remind myself they may have observed the day and not shared about it. It’ can be complicated.
I would love to see all these memorials. It’s good to be reminded from time to time the significance of them being there. I often do special walks or runs for our memorial days here as well, and especially for Liberation Day.
hope you had a good birthday! looks like you got some nice birthday kisses from scooby!
Yes, Scooby is so affectionate! You do have some lovely memorials to visit yourself!
Happy Birthday again! I’m always up early, but not usually up and OUT early, so kudos to you.
I’m not cooking this year. Which I am pleased about considering the last couple of months. But the reason makes me sad, too (Dad can’t make that trip, or our stairs, anymore).
I still picked up one of the turkey en croute at TJs. They are divine. I might just pick up another one . . .
What a great way to observe Veterans Day. I’ll be in DC this summer for a week so would love to see some of these memorial monuments.
Happy birthday to you!
It must be so meaningful to be able to run by those memorials and monuments on such a special day.
We did have off for Veteran’s Day and the schools were closed. It was a much-needed day, especially since the kids lost their October day off as a hurricane make up day.
Thanksgiving is well underway over here. We are celebrating a little early this year.
I really love the photos you captured from your war memorial run – what a great way to pay tribute to Veterans Day.
Great to hear you’re feeling better and running! Hope you had a great birthday!
Glad you had such a good week and are seeing progress. Always love your “tours” of the Mall and especially the Veterans’ Day one. That sunrise. Gorgeous. We also had work – it’s the one federal holiday we don’t have, which I find odd.
I’m also going to have an early birthday, although maybe not that early. Can’t run with my run group for the whole workout due to some other bday plans so I’m going to run to it, bring them donuts / munchkins and do part of the workout and run home before a matinee.
Happy belated, but I think I said it on FB too
Happy belated birthday! I also went out on my birthday and ran 4.7 miles. It felt wonderful! I’ve said it before and I will say it again but I love all of your pictures. I didn’t have Veterans Day off but we did have an Institute Day but I would have preferred to stay home.