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Running in the Fall

All these Fall-related posts, it probably seems like I'm just a teeny bit of a fan of the season. Guilty as charged. Maybe it's because we never had much of a fall in Houston, Austin, or SF, or maybe that the fall seasons I do remember involved jumping in huge piles of crunchy leaves and having nothing to do but stare at the clouds from my leaf pile... Whatever it is, there is something about a season where leaves fall lazily to the ground, the sun shines beautifully through the emptying branches, and the air is dry and fresh.

I've been running a lot more to soak it in, which doubles as a great way to explore the city. Here's a route map from today's 6-miler through Woodley Park, Dupont Circle, and Georgetown. http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3304882

One of my favorite parts about this neighborhood is the hills - soft and rolling, they're never too difficult to maneuver but they definitely hurt (in a good way). Although I don't get down there often enough, the Mall and Tidal Basin are two fantastic running spots in the city. One of the least appealing parts of running on the sidewalks though, is the incessant sidewalk-leaf-blowing. Yes, they're doing a great job keeping it clean. And if they stopped the blower EVERY time a pedestrian got in the way, they'd never move forward. But do they really have to blow right at the walkers and runners? I'm starting to think some of them have it out for me.

Aaanyway, I digress yet again. Since it's fall, a nice finish to the run is a homemade pumpkin spice latte...
In a saucepan, heat milk and canned pumpkin (1 TB per serving) until steaming. Stir in a pinch each of vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon. Pour into mug, then add fresh, hot espresso.

If you're artsy, try to make a latte stamp (yes, I know you make the stamp with the milk... maybe more like a latte 'indentation' with espresso?) for added charm.

What a great way to thaw out!

Comments

  1. I know your post is a couple of months old, but I totally know what you're talking about when it comes to running in that part of the world. Bangkok is so flat, and the areas where I can run without being chased by mangy, rabid dogs is limited. Very boring, I have to admit, but a runner's gotta do what a runner's gotta do.

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