Hills, Hills

This morning I got up early to run one of my favorite routes: the Massachusetts Avenue hill loop.

Mass. Ave., have you missed me?

This particular course was a favorite of several D.C. Capital Striders runners, and because they knew how much I disliked it, they would suggest we tackle it and then immediately look at me for my reaction. Thanks guys.

Hilly. Very Hilly.

Anyway, I learned to love this loop because it’s tough and a great workout. And it gets you ready for hilly races (Boston, Wisconsin). In fact, when I was training last summer, I’d run the loop twice a day. This morning was a challenge because not all the sidewalks had been shoveled, and Macomb St. hasn’t been plowed thanks to a downed power line. But man, did it feel good to reacquaint myself with this course.

And hey, what goes up must come down, right? There are a few sweet downhills on the back end.

6.59 miles, avg. pace 9:32. Not bad, given the hill and the snow.

11:43am

In other news, despite predictions of just one more inch today, it’s snowing like crazy out. Everyone made it into the office, but I imagine most people will be heading out shortly to avoid the inevitable nightmarish commute.