A Run to Remember

Rachel’s Randomness
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“Yeah, I had an adrenaline rush. It’s very common. You can Google it.” - Edward Cullen

I love how music helps to pump up adrenaline in my body. Music speaks to every fiber of my being and if you hang around me long enough, you’ll figure out that I can’t listen to music and not move in some way to it; that or sing along with it – it’s a natural urge.

“Safety Dance,” performed by Glee of course, drummed through my head and set a steady rhythm for my feet as they pounded against the concrete on my run with Michal. She, being the better runner of the two of us, took the lead. We ran towards the Iwo Jima monument (keep in mind that this is Memorial Day weekend). There is a bike trail that Michal found, weaving alongside the Arlington Cemetery for a bit leading us over the Potomac, which sparkled like a shiny, blue sapphire in the sunlight. I found myself grinning from ear to ear as the breeze soothed away some of the heat and humidity of the afternoon – I praised God several times for being young, healthy, and alive. We found ourselves at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and I eagerly dodged in and out of tourists to get to the top to see Honest Abe himself. There he was, sitting all majestic on his throne-like chair. I felt his marble cold, yet warm eyes on me, as if he were saying, “I expect great things out of you young lady. Don’t squander your gifts or lose sight of the eternal things for your own personal gratification.”

Seriously, though, who gets to go on such a historic and scenic run like that every day?!! Michal and I felt like locals, running alongside the Potomac as tourists on their buses and with their cameras passed us by. Cool feeling, despite that we are only three-month locals – ha ha! On our run back towards Iwo Jima, we spotted several men and women in uniform and lots of kids with matching t-shirts on. It was pretty crowded. Michal got ahead of me, as I was passing close to the monument, I saw this middle-aged guy yell, “Over here!” and cup his hands in the air in order to catch a ball that I assumed was coming at him from somewhere. Okay, so quick freeze frame here and side note: I’m usually the one with the target painted on my forehead. Can’t figure out why other than I’m tall or just seem to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. It’s funny because I always know when it’s coming and just brace myself for it – yet it’s like I’m in the kind of dream where you’re running but can’t seem to get anywhere. Back to ball coming out of nowhere. So I literally cringe and squat as I run, hoping to avoid the football - *WHAM!* - right across my right temple – I had to laugh, although I was annoyed at the kid who threw it. Come on! In a crowded park around the Iwo Jima?! I was grateful to find it was a soft football and not a real one, which would have left a bruise. I didn’t need another bruise added to my already flourishing collection.

It was definitely a girl’s day and I enjoyed every bit of it. It was sweet. Michal and I showered and met up with Jeff in Old Town (Alexandria). We did a little window shopping, I snapped photos, and we stopped for dinner at a little European bakery. It was delish! I then treated Michal and myself to the first Starbucks we’ve had since we’ve been in D.C. It had been four months since Michal had had one. Jeff had left to hit up some nightlife before we headed to Starbucks – so we took our times strolling back to the Metro at Kings Street. The trees along the wide avenue were strung up with twinkling white lights.

Getting home after our rendition of "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" on the Metro, which had people rolling their eyes at us, we got comfy and sat on my bed for a hot date with Mr. Darcy in “Pride and Prejudice.” Of course we sighed and had teary eyes when Mr. Darcy tells Elizabeth at the end, “If however, your affections have changed, I must tell you that you’ve bewitched me, body and soul, and I love, I love, I love you. And never wish to be parted from you from this day on.”

It was a banner day. That is all. Goodnight my loved ones!

Note: For more pics of my adventures, refer to my facebook albums, which I update often.

Peace out,
Rachel Duke