Summer time. The perfect time to show off to your friends that you ate less Krispy Kreme’s over the preceding nine months than they did. The perfect time to hit the beach, or river, or hotel pool party, or city pool (questionable decision).
As the reigning 2nd most fit city in the US (how did Minneapolis-St. Paul beat us two years in a row?), I know most of us are always looking for innovative and exciting ways to get out and work out. Periodically, I will provide you with some suggestions, and maybe even a few fun videos, of runs and workouts in different DC neighborhoods.
We’ll start with one of my absolute favorite runs in DC through Rock Creek Park. It’s a perfect way to get out of the direct summer sun, get away from the bustle of the city and explore!
This is a mid-distance, out and back, 5 mile run. I’m starting in the heart of DC, Dupont Circle. Taking P street toward Georgetown, I usually drop into the Rock Creek Trail shortly after crossing over Rock Creek Parkway. The Rock Creek Park Trail runs along Rock Creek Parkway until it crosses under Connecticut Avenue and becomes Beach Drive. Beach Drive continues to course through the park eventually leading to Maryland. During the weekends, Beach Drive is closed off to car traffic and becomes a pedestrian/bike only street. The Rock Creek Trail also continues along Beach Drive.
Usually with this run, I will turn around shortly after passing Calvert St, just as I am entering the National Zoo. If you are ambitious, check out the trails that loop around the zoo premises and then head back along the Rock Creek Trail, back onto P St and finally back to Dupont Circle.
This is mostly a paved, flat and shaded trail. Often times there are some bikers, so please be careful. On hot summer days, make sure to hydrate and stretch both before and after your run!
Don’t forget to check out the great SIN events happening this week and make sure to follow me on Twitter (@fortenko) and Instagram (fortenk)!
– Alex Fortenko
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