Local Tourists

It's not news that we won't be living in DC much longer. After I graduate, we plan to move to Austin as soon as the housing market allows us to do so. In the mean time, we decided that we should see as much as we can in the area before we leave. On the weekends with nothing planned, we pick something to do. I found an article online with 25 free things to do in DC, so we started there. There a few things on the list that we have already done, but there were some things I had never heard of. Kenilworth Park was one of the places I knew nothing about. Kenilworth Park is home to the last marshes in DC. We saw all kinds of flora and fauna during our visit on Mother's Day. There are supposedly a lot more plants in the summer, but the weather was just too good not to take advantage. You can actually canoe into the park during high tide, but we opted to drive. I don't know of any canoes equipped with car seats.

We saw some lotus flowers and lily pads.

We saw tadpoles swimming everywhere.

We saw a few families of geese too.

This weekend we went to Arlington Cemetery, which is the National Cemetery. Atom had already taken friends and relatives to visit, but I had yet to go myself. Again, the weather was perfect for heading outdoors. My mother and father are buried in a military cemetery in San Antonio, so I am familiar with the rows of identical white head stones. However, it doesn't come close in size or grandeur to the National Cemetery. We visited the popular grave sites: President Taft,

President Kennedy, 

the Arlington House 

and the Tomb of the Unknowns. 

We also saw the grave of O.W. Holmes, my high school's namesake. 

We watched the changing of the guards before we left. Watching the guards reminded me of my dad when he participated in the honor guard with the Shriners. 

They ask for complete silence during the change of the guards and it is a very solemn ceremony. During the nicer weather months, it is done every 30 minutes. As you can see, the guards are dressed to the nines and I can't imagine how hot they get in the summer. If you would like to know more about the history of the Tomb of the Unknowns or the Changing of the Guards, you can read about it HERE. 

One thing DC does not lack is history. This is the place where it all started. I really hope we can see everything we possibly can in the next couple of years. 

Mama said they were my magic shoes

I got my new running shoes in the mail yesterday.  They may look like ordinary running shoes, but they are glorious! They provide excellent stability for my achey feet, as well as comfy cushioning. They even have a place for my new Nike+ sensor in the sole of the shoe. I am going to use them for running for the first time today. I am actually excited to run in these babies! I was never a fan of Nike running shoes until I tried these on. Hopefully with the right shoes and some new information I found on plantar fascists, I can get my feet feeling better in no time! Wish me and my tootsies luck.

Motivated

I don't know how or when it happened, but I found my mojo. I think it was the warm weather after a long and cold winter. As soon as that sunshine started sticking around, I felt the need to get my booty in motion. I started taking some walks with Fletch. The walks got longer and then I felt the urge to run. I tried running with him in our regular stroller. Running + glorified umbrella stroller = AWKWARD! I looked on Craigslist and found that quite a few people were getting rid of jogging strollers. Thanks to my fairy godmother, $45 dollars later I was the proud owner of a used jogging stroller. It's no Cadillac, with it's bulky frame and squeaky wheels, but it works for now. It has a fixed front wheel so I had to get used to steering it, but I've got the hang of it now. It is much easier to run with the new set of wheels. I also had to spring for a new pair of running shoes. I went to get professionally fitted again and this time I was surprised to find a pair of Nikes' the winner. They are so comfy and have great support for my bad feet.

I really wanted to start off on the right foot (pun intended), so I would not give up on running. I decided to try the Couch to 5K program. It is an eight week program designed to help you build up your endurance to run a 5K (or about 3 miles). I tend to start out of the gate way to fast and end up hurting myself or burning out. This program is starting me out slowly and building up. At the end, I should be able to run for 30 minutes or 3 miles straight. Hopefully after that I will still be motivated enough to build up to a 10K.  So far so good. I run three days a week and on the days I do not run, I take long walks. Yesterday I walked 5 miles around Burke Lake. It was a really long walk, but the trail was gorgeous and shaded almost the entire walk. There is a children's park, train and carousel at Burke Lake. I'm sure we will be back more this summer, for me to walk and Fletch to play.

I am hoping this becomes a way of life and not a trend. I would like to be fit for myself and my family. I want to lead a good example so that my children will not lock themselves indoors playing video games. I know it is easier for me to find time for exercise now that I am home with Fletch and going to school part time. However, I think that once I make this a regular routine I will learn to find time even when I start working. The next thing I would like to do is get a child carrier for my bike, so we can go riding as a family. This area has amazing trails and I would love to get back on my bike. Atom and I did some biking a few years ago and we had a blast. I think it would be even more fun as a family.

I dont' know what I'm going to do when it gets cold, but I'll just have to cross that bridge when I get there.