DC Road Runners - Enter your slogan here

Christmas Tree Run Pictures

Pictures: https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipP4dJfMSP8vG2IORbhVz2SWszNlcg1B450QQFnZ85cyn4KWbn9geOBph5Q9pwAoyA?key=RERETGRjdkw5SE91UUtKQjBteGVCaUpES2Fybm9R

‘Twas the fourteenth of December

When at eight AM sharp

Everyone in the area

Descended to North Meade Park

Whether laying the wreaths

Or for a long run

The whole town was awake

With an adventure to come

But first some announcements

While everyone shivered

I tried to be quick!

Get information delivered

Then off with a gallop

And over to Key

Waving goodbye to Rosslyn

And their gold-purple tree

Down M Street and Penn

With everyone Merry

Talking about future races

And training in January

Then the White House tree

The first of the lot

And finally some sunshine

The temps far from hot

Up to the Willard

But not into the lobby

Where the first lobbyists met

When that was more of a hobby

Next up to the nutcrackers

As we all squeezed in tight

For a fantastic photographer

With a good camera sight

Thanks to Rodrigo and Big Guy

For handling all the pics

The club’s looking great

Everyone’s outfits were slick

The train sweaters were fitting

For the front and caboose

Keeping the big group together

And our legs far from loose

Then to city center

With a beer can the star

Balancing a phone for the picture

As volunteers were quite far

“Did you write yesterday’s poem

With the help of AI”

Not that one not this one

And I’d never even try

Down Massachusetts

And to Union station 

Which once again had the best

Holiday decoration

The rotunda was perfect

As we all paused in awe

But there was more running to do

And more trees to be saw

We rounded the Hill

As the weather warmed up

And my heart was so happy

Yes this filled my cup

From the Ironman athletes

To the 2:30 marathoners

To the marathon trainees

Not one person was a goner

We hit up the Capitol

For the second to last tree

Then a special request

For a bonus you see

Yes Cecile did yell

“Let’s ho to the garden”

For a Charlie Brown tree

And who was I to bargain

A bonus this year

That we’ll add to the lot

Only a short extra

For those whose legs were shot

At last we rounded out

In Heather’s hometown

Yes the Canadian Embassy

Left not one single frown

Another year done

And a great speech from Big Guy

It’s his last before Austin

And miss him not we’ll try

But we’ll fail of course

For he’s a club staple

A stupendous dude

And a bit of a fable

After that we departed

And split up the crew

A small group of us

Choosing a bonus tree or two

First at the wharf

With slightly smaller nutcrackers

And nice glass ornaments

For the more mileage tackers

Then the last tree of all

Or a stack of barrels

Of our second favorite Jack

The run done with no perils

Yes the Peruski newlyweds

(Isn’t that sweet)

For the first run in a while

Both stayed on two feet

Another year finished

With memories and fun

Hope you had a great time

At the Christmas Tree Run!

For the newcomers

We meet every Saturday at 8

Come back anytime!

Then give your dues to Nate

Have a great rest of your day

And soak up that sun!

Happy Holidays to all!

And to all a good run!

Anna

SLR: 10 Miles Christmas Tree Run!

'Twas eleven days before Christmas
Wait what? Eleven?
Isn't this usually later?
Like closer to seven?
Well it's been a long year
And the calendar's to blame
So we'll do an earlier run
Of SLR fame
That's right it's the most
Joyous time of the year
The Christmas Tree Run
Finally, it's here
But first a warning
You should solidly heed
Parking will be tough
For the Laying of the Wreath!

The route of course
Is an SLR classic
A stunner, it's perfect
It's more than fantastic
Just for Mr. Beasley
Here's the GPS
And the Strava for all
And the map PDF
As a reminder
This one's all in good fun
We'll be going much slower
Than some of you run
A time for the club
To all come together
For a yearly tradition
And a route that's quite clever
We'll head out across town
To the Key Bridge
Waving to the tree in Rosslyn
Which we ignore just a smidge
Across to Key Park
Where there once was a tree
But to see one this year
Would be miracle indeed
Straight down M Street
and a downhill on Penn
Just like last weekend
For folks who ran CIM!
Finally! The first tree!
At the White House no less
a classic, a staple
but honestly not the best
But it's from Virginia
And has fifty-eight around it
Fifty for the states
and six territories surrounded
Plus a fun fact!
There's two for the schools!
For a couple Departments
And I found that quite cool!
Then up to the nutcrackers
Outside Old Ebbitt Grill
We won't stop for too long
Because the forecast's a chill
That's right bundle up!
It's a cold one this year!
Perfect for holiday sweaters
With Santa's reindeer!
After that across I Street
To the tree the most high
Towering above Tattee
A City Center delight
If we're lucky we'll see
A few corgis for Mark,
But probably not too many
(They've got quite a bark)
There may be a surprise
Of a new tree on Mass
We'll probably run by it
As it's not quite first class
On Zachary! On Shawn!
On Tyler! With Conviction!
Across to the big wreaths
Underneath Union Station
Then inside (yes warmth!)
For the station tree
With little Norway flags
Like Ingebritsen's jersey
From there just one loop
Around the Capitol
To the tree from Alaska
Which is looking quite full
Its journey much longer
Than ours will be tomorrow
We'll wave it goodbye
Filled with happy/sad sorrow
After that one last stop
At the Canadian Embassy
To my absolute favorite
Ornamented tree
For one last picture
Yes another quick shot
Then we'll be on our way
Along the Mall with a bop
We'll finish at the park
Another year finally done
And go our merry ways
Having had much great fun

But what's that you say?
You want some more miles?
And more trees and more fun?
And more friendship and smiles?
Well head down to the wharf
For a double tree situation
That'll gain you two miles
So don't forget your hydration!
"That's still not enough!"
You shout and you yell
Fine go loop around Hains
Til your legs turn to gel
There are no fancy trees,
But there may be some fitness
Depends if you've been naughty
Or nice for this Christmas

"I can't run ten miles"
You whisper solemly
That's okay! Really Fine!
It's just seven for the trees!
Then hop on the metro
At some of the downtown stations
Or stop by their pop-up
For their Christmas creations
For even less meet us!
At the White House Tree
Then run only four miles
To the embassy!

You're thirsty you say?
Well best bring some water
Because with the DC fountains
You always should aughtta

And you need a bathroom?
The Monument has a few
And Union Station
Newly renovated too!

Up next for the club:
The Resolution Run!
New Year's at high Noon
It sure will be fun
Sign up! Volunteer!
Come help out the crew
It's New Years after all
What else do you have to do?
Maybe listen to Pettis
Recommended by Big Guy
I hear he's got a party
And the outfits might be fly
"But wait one more thing!"
Says our membership Nate
Renewals were due last week
and now they are late!!!!

A great SLR year
Another trip 'round the sun
I guess we've still got two more
So we're not really done
But leading this crew
Is the best part of my week
Making routes making mems
With friendships to seek
Thanks for entrusting me
With your longest of runs
I hope they went awesome!
Or that at least some were fun!

May your December be merry
Your holidays be a blast
Your injuries be few
And your next races fast!
Now come, celebrate
Explore trees and have fun!
Happy Holidays to all!
And to all a good run!

Anna