While in DC for my nephew's football game, I had a little opportunity to get out and run the National Mall in Washington DC. It is really a pretty fantastic place, with lots of history. Unfortunately the week while we were there was one of the weeks that the government happened to be shut down. This was pretty disappointing in that we didn't get to go into any museums as planned, or get really close to any of the monuments. Oh well, I guess we'll have to go back.
My run started off at the Smithsonian Metro Stop.
From the Smithsonian Metro Station, you can see the capital building off to your right, and the Washington Monument off to your left.
Here is a shot of the Washington Monument from the Metro Station.
And here is a shot looking right toward the Capital building.
I started my morning run headed right, toward the Capital building. As you run along, there are many beautiful building. All of the museums are along this run.
Here is a shot of one of the great museum, can't remember which one. Great architecture was found all around.
As I passed a few museums, the sun started to pop up over the Capital building.
As you approach the Capital building, there are some great reflecting pools out front. Once you pass the guard shacks, you start to make the climb up Capital Hill. Here is a shot of the capital building from behind, looking up at the fantastic architecture and stairs.
As you can see, everything was very empty due to the shutdown. Worked out better for us.
Once around the other side of the building, you get a great view looking toward the Washington Monument and into Virginia.
After you make the full circle of the Capital building, you head back down the hill and back on the mall. Here is a look at the running surface while running through the park. The running surface is either concrete or dirt, depending on where you are. You even have some grass options as well.
As you run through the mall, you see many runners, bikers, and people just strolling along. It is really a fit city. From the bottom of Capital Hill, I continued along until I got to the Washington Monument.
Along the way, you pass a bunch more museums and great buildings. Here is a shot of one of the museums.
Here I am approaching the Washington Monument.
I finally made it to the monument. Here it is over my shoulder.
Still lots of construction, and the scaffolding actually makes it look pretty cool. With the construction, there is fencing all around.
From the monument, I made a right and made my way to The White House. Approaching it, there are usually tons of people out front taking pictures. Not today.
All by myself out front. I tried to see if B & M wanted to go out for coffee, but apparently they had some other plans.
Hello Obama's. Its me.
Once you complete the circle of The White House, I headed back to the Washington Monument and started on toward the Lincoln Memorial.
I ran along the Reflecting Pool and up to the monument.
All fenced off, but barriers were moved and lots of people out and about.
I got to the memorial and made a quick right heading toward the Vietnam Wall. Unfortunately this was closed as well.
And another view of the Vietnam Memorial
Oh well. I headed back to the memorial for a couple quick shots, then back up to the Monument.
Here is a look back toward the Washington Monument from the end of the Reflecting Pool. Might look familiar from Forrest Gump.
And a selfie looking toward the monument.
I ran back up the Reflecting Pool and to the Monument. Here is a look back over towards the Lincoln Memorial from the Washington Monument.
And from there, I headed back up the Mall and over to the Metro Station where I started. It was a nice slow run with lots of great scenery.
Here is a shot of the map at the station.
And a shot of my actual run via the Nike app.
It was a fantastic trip. My nephews team beat Howard, which was the actual reason of our trip. We will have to go back now that the government is actually open and experience a whole bunch of stuff we didn't get to see.
Happy Running
Dave
#washingtondc #Washington #running #governmentshutdown
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