Happy Mother’s Day! This week early daylight and spring weather made running irresistible–until windy rain made it … resistible. I mixed things up with a different running route and ran the Key Bridge-Memorial Bridge loop from my office in Georgetown.
Key Bridge-Memorial Bridge Loop
(with a loop-de-loop to use crosswalks)
Key Bridge-Memorial Bridge Loop
I may have run this loop once before with a friend, but it’s not a route I’ll do before daylight. There’s one isolated section just south of Roosevelt Island that’s creepy without full daylight and too many speedy bike commuters on the Mount Vernon Trail on the Virginia side of the river. I actually debated which direction would be most likely to be against bike “traffic” and decided heading over Key Bridge first would be safest. After all that planning, I don’t remember encountering any bikes!
My first photo stop was on the footbridge across the C&O Canal in Georgetown.
This section is overgrown, but the National Park Service
is working on a big restoration project.
I was worried about bike traffic on the bridge, but I only encountered one other person. Since I had the bridge to myself, I was able to stop and take a picture.
My favorite view was this angle on the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial, from just south of Roosevelt Island (after the creepy part).
They seem to have switched sides from this angle, just south of the Memorial Bridge (which is under construction).
After crossing the Memorial Bridge I took one more picture, this time of the high rises in Roslynn (Virginia) and the crew teams on the water.
I was annoyed at how far out of my way I had to go to use crosswalks to cross the GW Parkway, but that extra little loop made the route the perfect length (4.5 miles). I didn’t love making commuter traffic stop four times, but I love that cars did stop. As rampant as road rage is in this area, cars do stop for walkers/runners/cyclists at these crosswalks. It’s a quirky D.C. thing that makes it nicer to live here than you might think. 😉
Weekly Run Down
One reason I am adding short runs to my schedule is to prepare for the Lawyers Have Heart 5K that I am doing in June. I’m trying to pick up my pace, but probably should add a track workout to my schedule. Here’s how the rest of my week went down.
Monday: 3.5 Mile Run + PT Exercises
After my rest/travel day Saturday and rainy Sunday, I was ready to get out for a run on Monday. I decided to go for a shorter run and do my PT exercises at my office gym.
Loved watching the ducklings!
Tuesday: Cyclebar
I was #2 again, which made me wonder if the bike computer was off, but I couldn’t remember if I had the same bike the last time I ranked.
Wednesday: 4.5 mile Key Bridge-Memorial Bridge Loop
Thursday: CPY2
Lots of hip-opening moves again. I am liking this series!
Friday: Orange Theory Fitness
For the treadmill workout we mostly did “push pace” intervals, with one “all out” interval each block. I don’t understand why I have to talk myself through 2 minutes at 7.5 mph (8:00) but ran the whole first mile of the GWPC at a sub-8:00 pace!
Saturday: 18 mile Conte’s Arlington ride
I guess purple was the color of the day
Sunday: Orange Theory Fitness
When the Sunday forecast was rainy again, I signed up for an Orange Theory class because I wasn’t sure I’d be motivated to run in the rain. I was hoping for a two group class for more treadmill time, but I think others had the same idea with the rain. Since more than 26 people signed up, it was a 3G class. For the first treadmill block we did “push pace” intervals, some at 4% or 8% incline. For the second block we did more “all out” intervals, some at 4% incline.
row-floor-treadmill // row-floor-treadmill
Thanks to Deborah and Kim for hosting the Weekly Run Down link up for recapping our workouts and staying accountable and motivated. 
Did you do anything special for Mother’s Day?
Have you explore a new running route recently?
![The Ultimate Coffee Date](http://got2run4me.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Ultimate-Coffee-Date.png" "The Ultimate Coffee Date")
I love seeing your running routes! Since I haven’t been running as far, I’m always looking for new places to run, to keep it interesting. Nice to know that people in DC will stop for a runner in the crosswalk. I almost got run down today crossing the street at a strip mall. Pretty crazy!
There are certain sidewalks where they stuff. You still have to wait and make eye contact though.
You have such a pretty spot to run! So many great options in the DC area. My son came up with his family and he and my hubby cooked Mothers’ Day dinner for my daughter-in-law and me. They made branzino and asparagus on the grill – yum!
I haven’t checked out any new running routes lately, but now I think I should. Thanks for the inspiration!
Sounds like my Mother’s Day! My son came over and grilled veggies, steak and salmon, 🙂
Have I ever told you how envious I am of your DC-based running? Your pics are always so scenic & tranquil 😉 Great week for you, Coco, and lots of variety in your workouts! Thanks for joining us on the WRD 😉
D.C. really does have some lovely sights!
That looks like a nice little DC loop there. I really need to run downtown more often!
It’s easier when I have free parking, but sometimes I park and start at Iwo.
I love your pictures! I’ve run a few races in DC and always love the view.
Recently I started running at the Arboretum which has lots of hills. Perfect for training. Then on Thursday I ran close to where my mom and sister live and love it there too.
Those sound like lovely places! This end of D.C. is pretty flat, but I’ve got hills around my neighborhood.
Those are some gorgeous views! Whenever I hear Georgetown I think of that section of MCM that runs through it and all the memories. Can’t believe 7 years have passed since I ran it.
Yes, MCM runs down M Street, which is the main round through Georgetown. Lots of cute shops and restaurants.
It’s always nice to explore a new route. I find it makes the run more enjoyable! I’m glad that you didn’t have any issues with people on their bikes.
It really does. Bike commuters that don’t signal scare me!
It wasn’t too long ago I explored the trails in a nearby park. 🙂
The views from that ride look lovely! That’s wonderful that people do stop for you. People around here are somewhat notorious for completely ignoring crosswalks. It isn’t a walker/biker friendly city, really.
Our day yesterday was extremely long, and rather stressful. We had several issues we needed to discuss with my parents . . . again. Hated to do it on Mother’s Day, but they were things that have been put off & really just can’t be anymore.
You do have pretty running routes. Love seeing your pics.
I’m in a rut. I need to run on some trails for variety…if it ever stops raining.
I’ve been wanting to find some new running routes but lately I just haven’t had time. So I’m happy getting in the runs that I already know.
It’s nice to try out some new routes – I know I’m getting bored with the same old scenery of mine. And DC has so many great options!
Hope you had a great Mother’s Day!
What a great loop! I am so jealous of all your DC running routes. I’m such a junkie for great urban scenery, and I love all the iconic landmarks you get to pass on the regular. I can’t wait to do a race there.
Mother’s Day was very lowkey this year. We had a death in the family, so it was just a lot of phone calls and waiting and sharing information. They boys did a great job making everything clam and quiet for me, which I appreciated.
So sorry to hear about your loss.
That loop looks so pretty! I love the pictures 🙂 Great place to get motivated!
I’m gonna have to keep that route in mind for when I head up to DC this summer! I’m excited to try at least one new route in the area. I will be there for a race so I don’t think I’ll get the option to run twice but I’m aiming to get at least one training run done in the area.
Your sunrise pics are gorgeous! It’s one of my goals every single time I run to get great sunrise pics.
That route is gorgeous! Need to put that on my list. I feel like Memorial Bridge was under construction last year too during cherry blossoms.
I have yet to learn the trains to Arlington because I always used to walk Memorial over — it better be fixed before I visit again 😀
Duckies!
Actually, I hope it’s not, because I think it’s going to be another 1-2 years and I’d love to see you here before then! They seem to be completely replacing it segment-by-segment. And, yes, they changed the CUCB route 2 years ago when they had just started setting up the construction site.