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Monday, April 4, 2011

Cherry Blossoms & Best Friends.

I just got back last night from a wonderful weekend away in the nation's capitol. For the second year in a row, my best friend from college and I have been lucky enough to get into the lottery that awards you a spot in the Cherry Blossom 10 mile race. It is one of the prettiest races I've ever run, winding around the Washington Monument and the cherry blossoms all in full bloom.

We started out Friday night checking into our hotel, about two blocks from the White House, and headed to Old Ebbit Grill from some dinner and cocktails. Sorry these photos are dark. I decided against lugging my dslr on the trip and am now regretting that decision.

best friends + cocktails = happiness.
It was so fun to catch up. Living hours away from all of your very best friends totally sucks.
Anyone else in the same boat? It had been about five months since we'd seen each other, so we definitely made up for lost time.

Saturday morning we headed to the National Building Museum, the site of the race expo, to pick up our numbers. We encountered a line that looped all the way around the museum grounds. A bit crazy, and much less organized than last year. 

Once we were all set with race day prep, we hit the streets of downtown DC for some shopping. It's what we do best. I have been on the hunt for a blazer, a la Megan from Across the Pond, for months now. I think it was fate that as we walked up 14th street to the National Museum, we passed a Zara. See, Rhode Island isn't blessed with a Zara, and I was planning a trip up to Boston soon, but...this was fate. Wouldn't you know they had exactly what I was looking for?

Some of my purchases.
Light pink blazer, perfect for spring & cool summer nights, and stripes...I'm a sucker for them lately.

Saturday night entailed a pre-race pasta dinner and dessert in Georgetown.
Little side note: When I headed down to DC on Friday, I was considering not running the race. With my crazy schedule lately, my training had not been what I'd hoped for. Best friend, above, convinced me I should just run it anyway, so I did. Not worried about time, not concerned if I had to walk. Just run it for fun.

Washington Monument at sunrise & Cherry Blossoms as I ran my 8th mile.
And although my legs might tell another story today, I'm so glad I did. The morning started out cool, in the 40's, but as the sun rose, it warmed up quick and I had worked up a sweat by the third mile.
Blue skies & sunshine, can't beat that!

My favorite photo of the weekend, taken with my phone during the run.

We've already scheduled our next girl's weekend for the summer and I can hardly wait.

Anyone else have a little spring getaway this weekend?

25 comments:

Liesl said...

I just did my Cherry Blossom post too...SO pretty and your pictures are just beautiful! Looks like you had a lovely time in the Nation's Capitol as did I! :) I have never visited the Nation Building Museum, but will have to check that out some time! Woo Hoo for taking in a little shopping too...FAB purchases! Can't wait to hear about your girls weekend this summer and I hope you have a Wonderful Week, Kristen!

Liesl :)

Lauren said...

What a fun weekend! Your new purchases are so cute. And I LOVE Old Ebbitt Grill, one of my favorite places in DC!

Fit With Flash said...

Nicely done, chica! Way to stick it even though you felt out of it. Total score on the Zara finds. We don't have one here either so I have to hit 'em up when I'm traveling. We had a great outdoors climbing weekend. SO nice out!

Anonymous said...

That last photo is awesome! I've never been to DC, but your post makes me want to go even more than I did before!

Classy Fab Sarah said...

Ahhh so gorgeous! It makes me want to get in my car and not stop until I see trees in full bloom. So glad you had such a great weekend!

m_b said...

wow the cherry blossoms are so beautiful! what a lovely time you had! (and your purchases are perfect for spring!)

Unknown said...

Good for you! Looks like a super fun weekend:)

Rachel and John said...

Good work running a race! It looks like a beautiful setting!!

Katie said...

What a gorgeous race to run! And I definitely can relate to the suckyness of best friends living far away....hate it! So glad you got some good friend time in :)

Lauren Caldwell said...

that race looks like an amazing one to run! I absolutely ADORE DC!

And that striped shirt is ADORBS. love.

Lauren @ tickled.

Rhiannon Bosse said...

Way to go on the race and super cute purchases girlfriend! PS those pasta dishes look incredibly amazing :) xo

Megan said...

I love your blazer and top! Both are gorgeous!! Congrats on finishing the race!!

jillian :: cornflake dreams. said...

lovely photos! my best friend was in DC this weekend for the run too!! kinda jealous i didnt tag along to see all the cherry blossoms :) xoxo jcd :: cornflake dreams

Emily {All You Need is Love} said...

what an amazing weekend!! the pictures are amazing and i know you are so glad you did the race! wahoooo!!
i am headed to dc in a few weeks w/ my fam --- sooooo excited! we are staying in georgetown - can't wait to shop and eat. where was your pasta dinner?? that looks incredible. and i love your Zara finds!! adorable!! xoxo

A Crimson Kiss said...

What a gorgeous run, and a beautiful way to spend the week! My very best friends live on the East Coast and in LA while I'm in SF, but one of them is moving up here in just a few months and I couldn't be more excited!

Megan said...

i could not be more proud of you right now. zara has by far the BEST blazers. I love them. i am ordering another one as we speak. i cant control myself.

a_jorgenson said...

Old E. Grill - hubs and I had our rehearsal dinner there. ;)

I'm so glad you did the run, you just can't pass it up!!

<3
aj

Virginia Belle said...

Congrats on your race! I definitely want to try to run the Cherry Blossom 10 miler next year, it's such a gorgeous run. It sounds like you had a great weekend and Old Ebbit Grill is one of my favorite restaurants in DC!

Mrs. Ruby said...

I've ALWAYS wanted to go to DC during the Cherry Blossom Festival. SO jealous. Looks like you had a blast - and you look gorg in your pic. ;)

Anonymous said...

WOOOO love everything about this! CONGRATS on the race!!!!!! 10 mi is a serious race!!! sounds so fun! xoxox

Ashley said...

what an awesome weekend! my friend ran this race too - her pics were gorgeous! im loving that pink blazer!

April said...

loved this recap! I didn't have any getaways this weekend, exactly, but I did go roaming the town with my camera and taking photos of cherry blossoms : ) the photos are my last blog post.

I really love that last picture, what a classic shot! You have a great eye-- I really like that you left lots of sky.

Kandice Breinholt said...

that tree is seriously sticking out like a sore thumb in the BEST of ways. i love it and i love that you got such a good picture of it! both of them!

washington dc was so beautiful and exciting {back when i visited} i love it there!

by the way, can't help but add how much i love that pink blazer. i've been looking for one just like it and that one is quite perfect :)

<3, kandice

Happiness Is... said...

Looks like SUCH a fun race -- nothing like pure beauty to keep you motivated!

d.a.r. said...

What a fun weekend and it looks like the race was absolutely gorgeous!