Sportswear: Black leggings, black wool tunic sweater, black ballet flats, teal double-breasted spring trench (Pool: black swimsuit, black swim cap, pink goggles)
Getting to the starting line: Leave work in taxi with colleague for an in-transit meeting.
Start: Union Station
1st Leg (Walk) - Walk and talk with colleague heading north on North Capitol Street, part company at H Street. Hang a right. Cross bridge over train tracks. Admire spring day - low humidity, temperature in the low-seventies, late daylight (it's already six-thirty! and the light gives everything a spring-pink glow). Arrive on the other side of tracks - H Street NE, the edgy in-neighborhood with bars, restaurants, and coffee shops, with a hip-hop-city-punk-funk vibe. Recall the previous evening in one such establishment with friends and drinks. Make note to self to hang out there more, and check out some of the new places.
2nd Leg (Bike) - Grab a Capital Bikeshare bicycle. Place black work bag on the front carrier, and secure with neato fitted bungee cord. Unbutton trench coat for ease of moment, and for cool teal trailing effect while riding. Board bike, and head south on 4th Street NE past lovely, historic, restored rowhouses. Note buds on trees giving a light fuzzy green- or sometimes rose-, colored glow of their early leaves. Note beautiful spring gardens in postage-stamp front yards - tulips, daffodils, and blazing yellow forsythia. Zig-zag through the neighborhood streets towards Eastern Market - going past more lovely house, small city parks full of dogs, kids, and friendly neighbors cavorting in the early evening, brought together by their shared community and the pleasant spring evening. Arrive at Eastern Market, and park bike in the CaBI bike dock.
Pit Stop - Enter Marvelous Market for a bottle of water and pack of soy nuts. Sit outside on the french cafe chairs. Check iPhone for messages. Greet and chat with neighbor MS.
3rd Leg (Swim) - Enter public pool facility, and change into swimwear. Shower quickly, and enter pool for 30 minutes of laps. Breathe in, breathe out. Let head roll out its day. Marvel in the head-clearing power of exercise. Chat with lanemate about water temperature - a tad cooler than lately. Exit pool, shower, change.
Homeward Bound - Grab a CaBi bike for the short ride to the next docking station. Walk remaining three blocks.
Finish: Home. Greet Dear Daughter, read books, snuggle, and wish sweet dreams.
Spring training never felt so good.
Getting to the starting line: Leave work in taxi with colleague for an in-transit meeting.
Start: Union Station
1st Leg (Walk) - Walk and talk with colleague heading north on North Capitol Street, part company at H Street. Hang a right. Cross bridge over train tracks. Admire spring day - low humidity, temperature in the low-seventies, late daylight (it's already six-thirty! and the light gives everything a spring-pink glow). Arrive on the other side of tracks - H Street NE, the edgy in-neighborhood with bars, restaurants, and coffee shops, with a hip-hop-city-punk-funk vibe. Recall the previous evening in one such establishment with friends and drinks. Make note to self to hang out there more, and check out some of the new places.
2nd Leg (Bike) - Grab a Capital Bikeshare bicycle. Place black work bag on the front carrier, and secure with neato fitted bungee cord. Unbutton trench coat for ease of moment, and for cool teal trailing effect while riding. Board bike, and head south on 4th Street NE past lovely, historic, restored rowhouses. Note buds on trees giving a light fuzzy green- or sometimes rose-, colored glow of their early leaves. Note beautiful spring gardens in postage-stamp front yards - tulips, daffodils, and blazing yellow forsythia. Zig-zag through the neighborhood streets towards Eastern Market - going past more lovely house, small city parks full of dogs, kids, and friendly neighbors cavorting in the early evening, brought together by their shared community and the pleasant spring evening. Arrive at Eastern Market, and park bike in the CaBI bike dock.
Pit Stop - Enter Marvelous Market for a bottle of water and pack of soy nuts. Sit outside on the french cafe chairs. Check iPhone for messages. Greet and chat with neighbor MS.
3rd Leg (Swim) - Enter public pool facility, and change into swimwear. Shower quickly, and enter pool for 30 minutes of laps. Breathe in, breathe out. Let head roll out its day. Marvel in the head-clearing power of exercise. Chat with lanemate about water temperature - a tad cooler than lately. Exit pool, shower, change.
Homeward Bound - Grab a CaBi bike for the short ride to the next docking station. Walk remaining three blocks.
Finish: Home. Greet Dear Daughter, read books, snuggle, and wish sweet dreams.
Spring training never felt so good.
