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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

SLR: 14 Miles Festivus Run

Seasons Greeting Saturday Long Runners!

Insert Mariah Carey voice "It's TIMEEEEEEEEE". That's right, we're officially into December which means a fun filled month of holiday themed runs starting this week and lasting us til the end of the year. Old Man Winter has also decided to join us this week and it's going to be a cold one, bundle up and be prepared for a few extra streetlights this route compared to our usual runs. Now let's get into it:

The Route: Pull out those checkbooks and get ready to write your donations to The Human Fund, it's Festivus (strava, gps, pdf) week! We'll cross into the city via the Key Bridge then head straight down K street to start our foray into Strava art (if you want to see how a pro does it, check out Carl Ford's Capitol Hill turkey from Thanksgiving). The trick for this one is to remember your diagonals: Rhode Island and Massachusetts to be exact. Go out to 18th and 14th streets on both of those for the base and up 16th street as far as you'd like for the Festivus Pole (for the full route, turn around at Arkansas Ave, the same place we turn down to go onto Piney Branch).

Partake In Some Traditions: For those who aren't Seinfeld Fans (I still haven't seen this episode, or any for that matter), Festivus is a holiday celebrated as an alternative to the pressures and commercialism of this season. More importantly, though, it's a time to come together, romp around DC trying to remember which turns you still have to make, and savor the little things in life. It also comes with its own traditions, which I think we can all take part in in little ways tomorrow:
The Airing of Grievances: Sick of winter and this cold spell only to check the weather and realize next week it's going to be warmer but rain? Pull your hamstring in the last 200 of your turkey trot and now sitting on the sidelines for the rest of the year (heal up soon Big Guy!)? Keep getting one-stepped by that guy on group runs who swears he's "taking it easy and going as slow as he can"? Well this is the time to list all the problems you have with running, get the complaints out, and focus back in before the next training cycle.
Feats of Strength: Maybe don't wrestle anyone in the middle of K street, but there are plenty of ways to show feats of strength tomorrow. Challenge someone in your group to a race for a block, push a little harder up that dang hill on 16th street (then air your grievances about it afterwards), and remember Festivus isn't over until the head of SLR has been taken down in a strava segment.
Festivus Miracles: Honestly, the fact any of us are making it out of bed when it's below freezing to go run over a half marathon is a miracle in itself. Take some time tomorrow to appreciate the little things, like not having to run up the stairs in Meridian Hill Park and whenever you actually make it through a stoplight without having to wait for a minute. There are little miracles happening around us all the time, step back and embrace it.
Festivus Dinner: Though usually the start of the Festivus celebration, maybe this time save it for the end. Finish your run with your favorite bagel (er, maybe don't get H&H Bagels if you support Kramer's strike) or breakfast. Refuel, rehydrate, and bake some bread for the Bread Run on Sunday!

Want Something Shorter? Other than this e-mail ;). Festivus Poles don't have any standar proportions, which in our case means they can be as short as you'd like. Cut off a few miles from the top and skip the 16th street hill while you're at it. To ignore the strava art, and get some more miles with the group, Piney Branch is a great 12 mile option!

Need a Longer Route? Add your mileage south of K Street to maintain a solid foundation for your festivus pole. Consider a Mall Loop or crossing Memorial Bridge instead of Key for your return trip.

Thirsty? There aren't any water fountains along this route, so come prepared tomorrow or add something else to your list of grievances.

Need a Bathroom? Other than the occasional CVS and Starbucks, those are also limited on this route.

The next club race (and what I have many times referred to as the best club race of the year) is the Bread Run on Sunday! Come prepared with your favorite home baked loaf of bread for a fun 10K. The book club is also meeting on Sunday discussing Bravey, and I head the person who's leading it is making cranberry lemon meringue pie for the occasion. The best part about Bravey is how many times Alexi Pappas talks about her movie Tracktown during it, so even if you don't have time to read the book this weekend you can get pretty far from the movie alone ;).

Head's up! Next week we're running the Christmas Tree Run! It is also the laying of the wreaths at Arlington Cemetery so parking will be limited in the Rosslyn area. We will (as tradition), be doing an easy group run for the first 6 miles (targeting 9:30-10 minute pace with lots of stopping for lights and trees). Don't be a scrooge, plan your workouts for later in the run!

Happy Running and Happy Early Festivus!

Anna