Photo of fellow THIHer Liz Festa by María Helena Carey
When I first started running in April, I could barely keep up with the training program’s guidelines. How could I run a 5k in six weeks’ time when I could barely run for one minute?
A funny thing happened around the third week when we took our training to Lincoln Park. We were able to keep going, no longer begging for our watches to beep and the walking portion of the program to start. As a family, our daughter always tagged along in her jogging stroller; and we were enjoying our time together and our laps around the community centerpiece that is Lincoln Park.
We grew tired of our regular path around Lincoln Park after we ran our fist 5k in June. While the park had served us well, there was a neighborhood to explore, so we took our run to the streets of Capitol Hill. Not ones to completely break our habit of running the same path four times a week, this time we found ourselves gravitating toward the Capitol on every run.
Late at night, when the rest of the Hill is quiet, we head out for our evening run, winding our way through the city streets that bring us to the base of the Capitol, which I think happens to be one of the most amazing places to run and something that we all take for granted.
And while I love the cool breeze that awaits me on the east side of the Capitol (it’s like a lovely, refreshing wind tunnel up there!), I’d love to know where you like to run on the Hill?
Down East Capitol! Wide sidewalks that make it easy to maneuver around pedestrians, pretty houses and a great view of the capitol building…
I mostly run the Mall – I live on the far west side of the neighborhood and have landmarked runs up to 7 miles. The Mall doesn’t have much shade, but the decreased cross-streets make it worthwhile. From the Capitol South metro station it’s three miles to 14th street and back (via Jefferson Drive), four miles to the Washington Monument, five to the Lincoln, six to the Lincoln and back around the Supreme Court, and seven miles to go independence/14th st bridge/memorial bridge/mall.
While I love running the neighborhood, I despise having to stop at street crossings. The Mall alleviates those concerns.
I mostly run the Mall – I live on the far west side of the neighborhood and have landmarked runs up to 7 miles. The Mall doesn’t have much shade, but the decreased cross-streets make it worthwhile. From the Capitol South metro station it’s three miles to 14th street and back (via Jefferson Drive), four miles to the Washington Monument, five to the Lincoln, six to the Lincoln and back around the Supreme Court, and seven miles to go independence/14th st bridge/memorial bridge/mall.
While I love running the neighborhood, I despise having to stop at street crossings. The Mall alleviates those concerns.
I have a love/hate relationship with running the Hill. I think the building & its grounds are beautiful & I feel so safe on the Capitol grounds, no matter what time it is of the day or night. I can do speedwork across the plaza over the visitor’s center (and I’ve spent the three years of law school secretly waving to the Court every time I run past it). BUT, man, that thing is a beast to run up! I know it makes me stronger, but it isn’t much fun.
I have a love/hate relationship with running the Hill. I think the building & its grounds are beautiful & I feel so safe on the Capitol grounds, no matter what time it is of the day or night. I can do speedwork across the plaza over the visitor’s center (and I’ve spent the three years of law school secretly waving to the Court every time I run past it). BUT, man, that thing is a beast to run up! I know it makes me stronger, but it isn’t much fun.
Runners, you have one of the soon-to-be best 10-12 mile loops right at your back doorstep–The Annacostia River Trail system.
Start at Barney Circle, head down to the RFK lot 8 access road, there you will find the beautiful and level all purpose path. Head North-ish i.e. toward RFK.
(About a quarter mile up notice the pedestrian bridge under construction…this will connect you over the CSX tracks to the waterfront trail heading off to Yards Park)
Go [past RFK, under the East Capitol bridge, contnue north to Bladensburg Road (you will pass the Island nature reserve on your right, detour here for a trail loop).
When you reach Bladensburg Road, take a right, cross over the Annacostioa then you will see the path make a sharp right. Follow that path down to Annacostia Park, the river is on your right…head back unsder East Capitol heading South-ish. Now you will hit the access road that goes along the highway…the trail currently leads you to the site of the second CSX pedestrian bridge (the one delayed by the osprey nest). This area is off limits until the bridge is done so pretending the bridge is up:
Cross over CSX tracks and make your way toward the roller rink…head South all aloong the river on the brand new paved trail that follows Annacostia Drive. Go under Sousa Bridge (Or cut back up cross and make it 5 miles at Barney Circle), continue along the park, pass the swimming pool on the left, go under all of the 11th street construction round to the right, Park Police on your left. This is all open and very nice running. Once you get to the Sotuh Capitol street bridge, cross the bridge towards Nats park, take the first right onto Potomac Ave by the concrete [lant, curve around onto first street heading back North-ish (notice the pylons connecting the riverfront to Yards Park, this will be how you go in the future).
When you get to N street SE (where the Yards display is) hang a right, go down about half mile, you will see yards Park on your right. head down to the park and make a left toward Navy yard…enjoy the open gate at the Navy Yard and head over past the USS Barry to the end of the riverwalk.
Hang a left on 11th and head up about a quarter mile to Water Street SE, go right and find the next leg of the waterfront train. This eventually takes you back to the Sousa bridge and the other side of that first pedestrian bridge. A loop.
Runners, you have one of the soon-to-be best 10-12 mile loops right at your back doorstep–The Annacostia River Trail system.
Start at Barney Circle, head down to the RFK lot 8 access road, there you will find the beautiful and level all purpose path. Head North-ish i.e. toward RFK.
(About a quarter mile up notice the pedestrian bridge under construction…this will connect you over the CSX tracks to the waterfront trail heading off to Yards Park)
Go [past RFK, under the East Capitol bridge, contnue north to Bladensburg Road (you will pass the Island nature reserve on your right, detour here for a trail loop).
When you reach Bladensburg Road, take a right, cross over the Annacostioa then you will see the path make a sharp right. Follow that path down to Annacostia Park, the river is on your right…head back unsder East Capitol heading South-ish. Now you will hit the access road that goes along the highway…the trail currently leads you to the site of the second CSX pedestrian bridge (the one delayed by the osprey nest). This area is off limits until the bridge is done so pretending the bridge is up:
Cross over CSX tracks and make your way toward the roller rink…head South all aloong the river on the brand new paved trail that follows Annacostia Drive. Go under Sousa Bridge (Or cut back up cross and make it 5 miles at Barney Circle), continue along the park, pass the swimming pool on the left, go under all of the 11th street construction round to the right, Park Police on your left. This is all open and very nice running. Once you get to the Sotuh Capitol street bridge, cross the bridge towards Nats park, take the first right onto Potomac Ave by the concrete [lant, curve around onto first street heading back North-ish (notice the pylons connecting the riverfront to Yards Park, this will be how you go in the future).
When you get to N street SE (where the Yards display is) hang a right, go down about half mile, you will see yards Park on your right. head down to the park and make a left toward Navy yard…enjoy the open gate at the Navy Yard and head over past the USS Barry to the end of the riverwalk.
Hang a left on 11th and head up about a quarter mile to Water Street SE, go right and find the next leg of the waterfront train. This eventually takes you back to the Sousa bridge and the other side of that first pedestrian bridge. A loop.
Denny- I jog around the Nationals Stadium on non-game days. Eliminates street crossings and def far less tourists to dodge than the mall. Although, if you’re trying to do more than a few miles, it can be boring I suppose- its 3/4 mile for one loop around.
Kyra,I love this and was meaning to write it since I took up running this spring. I’m so glad you covered it because this really is a great place to run/walk/bike. So many streets to explore and easy routes to mix things up a bit so it doesn’t get boring.
@Monica – that Hill is definitely brutal!
@Used To Be Mark – I’m so excited for the Anacostia River Trail!
Kyra,I love this and was meaning to write it since I took up running this spring. I’m so glad you covered it because this really is a great place to run/walk/bike. So many streets to explore and easy routes to mix things up a bit so it doesn’t get boring.
@Monica – that Hill is definitely brutal!
@Used To Be Mark – I’m so excited for the Anacostia River Trail!