Tonight I wrapped up a little over 4 miles on a new route out of Virginia. After having started out of Gateway Park for the last few weeks, we finally were able run "the loop" out of Iwo Jima (see above). The summer concert series that are hosted at Iwo Jima conflicted with our Tuesday run schedule and resulted in our group having to come up with other running routes until the concert series ended.

Tonight's route starts at Iwo Jima and hits the following sites:

• runs by Arlington National Cemetery
  
• over the Memorial bridge (just breathtaking)
  
• past the Lincoln Memorial (lots of tourists!)
  
• past the Kennedy Center
• along the Georgetown waterfront (hello Sequoias! A bit odd running past everyone enjoying happy hour drinks and snacks)
• up 34th street (I admit I walked up the stairs...it was just too much!)
• across the Key Bridge
• through downtown Rosalyn
• ...and finally up to Iwo Jima (did someone say "hill"?)
  

Since this was a new route, it took me a good 1-1.5 miles to get comfortable. No surprise there.

I felt a bit tight after the gym yesterday, but finally got into a groove later into the run. I was happiest once we hit Rosalyn and knew that there was only one more hill up to the finish line.

The weather was a bit odd today. We arrived at the meeting point to some raindrops --- which were welcome given the incredible humidity. Once it was time to run, we were able to make the entire run without any rain or lightning. Lucky break.

One injury to note. I appear to have a blood blister on one of my toes. It is a bit irritating and I'm treating it now. Hopefully it will be in better shape tomorrow in advance of track practice. If not, I'll have to sit the night out.