Lindsey Mastis

I wasn’t prepared for today’s run. Last Saturday I had an awful experience. My right foot fell asleep two miles into the run. By four miles in, I couldn’t feel anything from my knee down. I had to walk most of the way back. I promised myself I would stretch every day and run three days during the week. I did nothing.

But today felt different. I was excited to make up for last week’s disaster. Our team changed up the trail. We still started at Fletcher’s Cove, but ran toward Georgetown (instead of Bethesda). It was refreshing.

Anne, Liz, and I wanted to run 10 miles. By the time we got to the half way point, we realized we didn’t go far enough. We tried to add distance by running a loop. Our course looks pretty odd:

It was cool when we started our run– probably in the 60s or so. I realized I never ran that part of the C & O Canal Trail. The sun was shining, the water in the canal looked like glass, it was beautiful. But there was also A LOT of goose poop. It’s disgusting because it’s green, looks mushy, and is always all over the trail which makes it super-difficult to avoid.

Here are some pictures from the start of the run:

Shortly after crossing the canal, we were in a familiar place– between M and K Streets (is it K or Water? it always confuses me there), and we crossed under the Whitehurst Freeway and toward the monuments. I’m familiar with this area not just because I drive it a few times a week, but because I’ve done several Cherry Blossom races in the area, and I ran 18 miles around the monuments on that part of the trail. It’s where we ditch the Capital Crescent and tag along to the Rock Creek trail. It’s beautiful and and nice breeze is always coming off the Potomac.

We ran past the Watergate, then the Kennedy Center, then the sand volleyball courts. (I had a chocolate GU right about now). Then we decided to run the stairs. These are not just any stairs. These are famous steps. They are famous for more than one reason, but my favorite use of the stairs is during a fitness reality show. It was used as a penny challenge for Biggest Loser. I have been dying to try out these steps. Up we went and it felt great on my legs.

When we got to the top, we made a quick turn and started running back toward Georgetown. But we knew we hadn’t run enough miles yet to turn back. We wanted to add an extra mile, so we decided to start looping. We ran the stretch between the volleyball area and the steps three times. I was psyched!

By the time we were done, I was on a high. My GU kicked in and I was jumping and leaping. I knew it would be something I would regret a few minutes later, but it felt so good. I just wanted to be a bit goofy. The entire time we were running I got curious about things. I took a bunch of pictures and started talking with random people I met while running. One lady had shoes my sister almost bought, so I asked her about them. I overheard another lady talking about swimming in the Potomac during a Triathalon. I asked her about it–(and she said you can swim in it for $180. I didn’t even know it was legal).

Then I started paying close attention to the nature around me. All of a sudden I saw a fish jump out of the water. I got a picture of the ripples, but the fish was long gone.

I gave a woman a high-five from Team In Training. She was going up hill and looked like she needed a boost. I got a great big smile out of her and her running/walking partner. Then I high-fived a different guy that I met last week (although I don’t know his name).

We decided to take a different way back to Fletchers. We ran under the Whitehurst Freeway (Water Street) to the Capital Crescent and headed back. I was afraid that we were going to miss a familiar face since we went a different way. Luckily I saw him. Santa Steve! I asked him to show me the green. He took off his hat and his hair was super-douper-crazy lime green! He’s about to pass his $5,000 goal for the Bold Bald Santa Event. When he does, his hair will be turning pink. I can’t wait. I gave him a huge hug and got a boost of energy.

A few minutes later, Liz had some extra energy (or Anne and I were getting super-worn out). She upped her pace and soon she jetted out of our sight. Anne and I took a walking break. I noticed that my right foot started to fall asleep at mile three. I was worried, but I kept running. 10 minutes later we walked and I stretched it. Here we are most of the way finished with our run, and my foot was no longer bothering me.

I looked up and noticed two men running in front of us. They had on sports-looking running shirts that read “Cher” and “Gaga.” I ran up to them and asked if it was supposed to mean the singers. They were thrilled I asked. They told me they wore these shirts and dressed like the singers during last year’s Marine Corps Marathon. Awesome! I’m definitely dressing up! I just have to think of something creative.

Soon, I was huffing and puffing. I was pushing myself to finish. I saw Fletcher’s Cove and ran as fast as I could. As soon as I got done I was relieved. I could have kept going. I was coughing a bit from pushing myself so suddenly, but it wasn’t bad. I calmed down, got some ice water and started stretching.

We met back up with Liz. According to her GPS watch, Anne and I likely only ran 8.5 miles. But when I came home and tracked the trail on my DailyMile program, I got 9 miles. I’m sticking with 9– I truly hope that’s accurate. It makes up for the 9 pathetic miles I did last week. I felt so good today!

I also met back up with Patrick. He ran 9 miles in the direction of Bethesda and did wonderfully. He said he ran consistant 12 minute miles (which is amazing especially considering he hasn’t run in a while). We drove home and I focused on stretching.

I did yoga, stretched my leg, and used a roller on my IT Bands. It was painful and tiring, but so, so, so worth it. When I was done, I laid there and my cat tried to help me feel better (thank you Mila!).

We wanted to take it easy after our run. I downloaded The Exorcist on Amazon’s Instant Movie feature on TiVo. I only wanted to see the scene where the priest falls down the stairs. I thought it was in the first few minutes– but I was wrong. We ended up watching the whole movie. It was so great to see so many Washington, DC scenes– especially in Georgetown.

I took this picture earlier in the day. I was so surprised to see this in the movie (it’s the part where the mom meets with the priest for the frist time):

The movie was made in the ’70s in DC. The infamous stairs are now known as the “Exorcist Stairs” and running up and down them for exercise is on my bucket list. The best part is realizing that the Exxon that I go to occasionally (in a live truck– it’s too expensive for my tastes) is also in the movie. I hadn’t seen it since middle school (yes– I guess I was a bit too young to be watching something that graphic and with that many curse words) and had forgotten a lot of the movie. I’m glad I watched it.

Later, I went to my friend Amy’s house for a wine tasting and now I’m writing the blog about to fall asleep. I’m tired. I wanted to go to tomorrow’s injury prevention workshop at 9 a.m. But after watching the Exorcist, I think I should go to church instead.

I can’t wait to run again next weekend. It’ll be a whole new adventure!