Monumental Jogging

Lately, I've had to squeeze my workouts into my lunch hour, a practice I swore I'd never adopt again after years of stressful lunchtimes at New York Sports Clubs tarnished my relationship with exercise. Thankfully, I gave up the gym all together a few years ago and rediscovered my zest for a good, healthy workout by embracing outdoor walking and running, and my new collection of workout DVDs (recent favorites being yoga booty ballet, but that's a whole 'nother blog). I had a pretty steady schedule at work for a while that allowed me to complete my routine fairly early in the morning, but rehearsals for my show have changed that up a bit. So in order to fit in the workout, I must go at lunchtime. At first, I dreaded it, but then after a few jogs around the Georgetown area, I realized I was completely enjoying myself.

I tend to be a careful jogger--as in I don't like to venture into wooded paths (there's been one too many chandra levy like stories for my comfort, you know?). I pretty much run in some sort of loop and I will very rarely try to navigate a new way home for fear of getting completely lost. So all my afternoon jaunts have been on the safe side--down K street, then up onto the toe path. A few weeks ago I changed direction and ran along the river towards the Memorial Bridge, and in an uncharacteristic burst of energy I actually ran over the bridge and back. I love the Memorial Bridge, especially at night, so there was something slightly thrilling about being on that very same bridge that I cross many times while in a car, but this time on foot. Sort of like you feel exposed, but at the same time like you're appreciating this structure all the more by experiencing it a bit more organically.

So in order to enjoy the little springtime interlude yesterday, I set out to run and headed this time toward the National Mall. And so there I was, pacing along with the Lincoln at my back and the Washington standing sentry ahead, and I felt a new blend of endorphin--one mixed with a bit of patriotism and gratitude that as a DC resident, this is the backdrop that I am afforded for my afternoon jog. People from states and countries far and wide walk this same path as they explore our nations history-- told in powerfully bold statements from one monument to the next. There are our founding fathers to honor, our most exemplary Presidents to salute , and our nations' fallen heroes to remember as they are all given testament to in the form of marble, scultpure, and quiet architectural wonder. For many, it is a spot for cameras, for guidebooks and tours, a classroom experience come to life. For me, it is thirty minutes to myself away from the ringing phones and emails just down the river. It is my everday landscape--but its monumental proportions are not lost on me. And so I jog on....just me...on my lunch break...an American.