Washington D.C.: Day 3 (Sunday)

After sleeping in a little bit and getting in a quick workout at the hotel fitness center, Todd & I packed up and checked out of the hotel at noon. Since we were just a few blocks from the National Zoo, a group of us decided to head over and walk around before heading home. Like all the Smithsonian Museums, the zoo is also free so we figured even if we just went for an hour, it'd be worth it.

The main entrance

I feel like I'm spoiled since I live in Columbus and we're known for having the best zoo in the nation. Thanks to Jack Hanna, the Columbus Zoo is also featured frequently on late night tv. They just opened up a new polar bear exhibit a few months ago that I've been dying to go see. Despite all this, I was still very excited to go to the zoo in D.C. to see what they're known for, pandas!

Zoo Map

Posing with a panda....Paolo, Julie, Ian, Lars, me, and Todd (clockwise from left)

One of the two pandas that was on exhibit

Just enjoying some branches of bamboo

Todd & I with a cheetah in the background

(I forgot to mention it was 98 degrees on Sunday, I feel like you can literally see the sweat dripping off of me & Todd here)

We walked around for about an hour and a half before taking Lars & Julie to the airport so they could head back to L.A. After a stop at Subway for lunch, Todd, Paolo, and I finally left D.C. around 3:00 PM for the 6+ hour drive back to Ohio. Of course, we weren't anticipating on passing a bunch of wineries in Virginia! If you know Todd or I, then you should know what's coming next....yes, we stopped at one of the wineries for a quick tasting. Paolo had never been to a winery either so we figured it was a win-win situation for all of us. I, however, slightly regretted this decision when we didn't get home until close to midnight and I had to work the next day. Luckily for the guys, the Honda plant is closed this week for one of their twice-yearly shutdowns which means the Research & Design building is also closed, so they didn't have to go to work on Monday morning.

Anyways, we made a stop at Tarara Winery just outside of D.C. We sampled 6 wines (3 white, 3 red) for $10 and enjoyed a beautiful view from their deck overlooking the vineyards. Todd & I didn't think any of the wines were outstanding so we decided against buying a bottle to bring a home....a rarity for us!

The entrance to Tarara Winery

Beautiful afternoon for enjoying some wine outside on the deck

Todd & I drinking one of the red wines

Paolo, Todd and I with our last glass

Even though we didn't get home until late and the drive back seemed like it took 12 hours, I had a blast in D.C. and was sad to see that it went so fast.

Washington D.C.: Day 2 (Saturday)

Todd, Paolo, and I got up on Saturday morning and went for a 4 mi run at Rock Creek Park. It was a great trail that was only 1 block from our hotel but unfortunately was VERY hilly and it was already 85 degrees out by the time we went. The last half mile or so was a steady incline with the last quarter mile a huge uphill that left me gasping for air at the top. Let's just say Todd & Paolo didn't attempt the last quarter mile to put it in perspective.

We got back to the hotel room to shower & found a tray of hot chocolate and orange juice outside our door. Todd signed up for the guest loyalty program when we got here and it included free drinks in the morning and free wi-fi.

Our hot chocolate even came with marshmellows

Since we were busy Friday, we decided to just relax Saturday by the pool as we waited for some more friends to arrive in D.C. Emily & Derek were already there so the 5 of us hung out all afternoon. The weather was hot, close to 95 degrees, so the pool was the perfect plan for the day.

Relaxing poolside with a drink in hand (half strawberry daiquiri & half pina colada...yum!)

After 4 hours by the pool and hanging out with the whole gang from Columbus that came for the wedding, we went inside to cool off and get ready for the outdoor ceremony. Yes, the wedding was outside and it was 95 degrees.

Todd & I waiting for the ceremony to start and trying not to melt in the sun
The gazebo where the ceremony took place
With our hotel in the background, the bride eventually walked down the staircase towards her groom
Lauren & David during the ceremony
Todd & I at the cocktail hour

All the Honda guys that work with David
All the girls who belong to the Honda guys
It was hot & I was thirsty....champagne in one hand & wine in the other

After the cocktail hour, we headed inside one of the ballrooms in the hotel for dinner, dancing, and of course some more drinking. The air conditioning inside had never felt so good! Since Lauren & David's wedding colors were red & black, there was red lighting inside which was kinda neat.

Todd was a little thirsty so he needed 2 glasses of wine, champagne, a jack & coke, and a water to quench his thirst

Lauren & David's 1st dance

Todd (on the right) & Lars dancing.....if I've never mentioned it before, Todd LOVES to dance at weddings

Todd & I at the end of the night

The reception ended shortly after 11:00 PM and although some of our friends, including the newlyweds, were heading out to some of the local bars, Todd & I were spent and decided to call it a night.

Weekly Recep: June 21-27

This week didn't exactly turn out how I planned running wise. I ended up subbing a couple spinning classes on Monday & Tuesday morning so I didn't get a chance to run or lift. Todd & I went to Washington D.C. super early Friday morning so the weekend was spent there. I also had a reoccurring back issue towards the end of the week that limited my amount of working out. I had a severe lumbar strain about a year and a half ago where I couldn't even walk for 2 days; I was literally crawling around my apartment and had to take off work. Anyways, it occasionally flares up, although not as bad as the first time, but still hurts.


Monday: taught 45 min spinning

Tuesday: taught 45 min spinning

Wednesday: 30 min elliptical; lifted total body

Thursday: 5 mi (8:16 pace)

Friday: REST (driving to D.C.)

Saturday: 4 mi w/ Todd in Rock Creek Park (VERY hilly, 8:38 pace)

Sunday: 1 mi walk on treadmill, 30 min elliptical; core & push ups (@ hotel in D.C.)



TOTAL: 9 mi

Washington D.C.: Day 1 (Friday)

Todd & I got up bright & early on Friday morning to head to Washington D.C. for David & Lauren's wedding. Todd works with David and we've hung out with them on several occasions, including last year at this time in St. Thomas for Derek & Emily's wedding. I also went to Lauren's bachelorette party last month. Paolo, another one of Todd's coworkers and friends, came along with us for the 6 hour drive.

We pulled up around 1:30 PM to the Omni Shoreham, checked in, and threw all of our luggage in our room before heading out to see some of the sights. We have a great hotel room with a balcony that has a view of the pool as well as the gazebo.

Omni Shoreham in Washington D.C.

View of the pool from our balcony

View of the gazebo and hammocks from our balcony

We headed across the street for quick, delicious lunch at Open City before taking the metro to the National Mall. Since it was 90+ degrees outside, we opted to each lunch inside although the tables out front looked nice.

Lunch at Open City....very cute decor!

Todd, Paolo, and I walked around the National Mall and saw the Capitol and Washington Monument. Since it was so hot, we decided to head into one of the Smithsonian Museums, the National Museum of American History.

Todd & I in front of the Washington Monument

Before heading inside

We saw so many cool things! I'll just let the pictures speak for themselves. I definitely found this museum more interesting than most because a lot of it was pop culture artifacts.

Michelle Obama's Inauguration Dress

Todd testing his ability in wringing laundry like in the old days

Dumbo from Disneyland

Abe Lincoln's Top Hat

Dorothy's Ruby Slippers

Nastia Liukin's leotard from the 2008 Beijing Olympics

Kermit the Frog

Excited to see the Julia Child Exhibit

Julia Child's Kitchen

After walking around for several hours and starting to get tired, we went back to the hotel for naps and relaxation. Since most of the other people we knew attending the wedding were either coming into town late Friday night or Saturday afternoon, the three of us walked a few blocks from our hotel to find someplace to eat for dinner. We decided to try something a little bit different and went to Lebanese Taverna. We started with a caraft of white sangria before trying grape leaves and some babah ganush with warm pitas. For dinner, I had hummus & veggies and a house salad. Boring I know, but I don't really eat a lot of meat and there weren't a lot of vegetarian options that sounded appealing.

Todd & Paolo with their sangria

We ended dinner around 10:30 PM and went back to the hotel bar for a few drinks (for the guys). It was a long day that began around 5:00 AM but we had fun and packed a lot in.

New Furniture

Finally after looking at furniture a few months ago and ordering it, Todd got his new couch & chaise lounge and it looks great in his apartment! I think he's pretty excited to have something to sit or lay down on besides his papasan chair.

Chaise lounge
Couch

Both together

We're off to Washington D.C. this morning for a wedding this weekend and hopefully catch a few of the sights in our nation's capital!

Dave Matthews Band Concert

Last night, Todd & I had tickets to go see Dave Matthews play at Huntington Park, where our local minor league baseball team plays. I've seen DMB play 4 or 5 times but the last time I went was in college so I was pretty excited to go despite the fact I haven't really listened to his music in quite some time.


Before heading to the concert, we went to dinner at Barley's Smokehouse & Brewpub to get some bbq & beer.

Todd enjoying his sampler platter & sporting his annual summer haircut

This was the first time Huntington Park hosted a concert so we were pretty curious to see where the stage would be set up. We got to the concert while the opening act was still performing and walked around before heading down onto the field since we had general admission seats.

The stage was set up in the outfield with a makeshift floor for general admission standing while people with actual seats sat in the ballpark seats Waiting for DMB to start playing
The huge screens showing the band playing during the concert were awesome
We left the field during the encore & couldn't believe how many people were actually there
Despite the 90 degree weather and the fact he didn't play any of my favorite songs, we still had a great night.

Weekly Recap: June 14-20

I had a couple good runs at the beginning of the week ending with a great 5K race on Friday evening. I ran 21:57 (7:04 pace) and was 2nd in my age group! I'll continue to up my miles just a bit this week and hope in the next few weeks to finally run 20-25 mi/week.

Monday: 4 mi (1 mi warm up, 4 x 400 w/ 400 jog in b/w, 1 mi cool down; 7:57 average pace), 30 min elliptical; lifted total body

Tuesday: 45 min spinning; core

Wednesday: 6 mi tempo (7:48 pace); lifted total body

Thursday: REST

Friday: 40 min elliptical; core
5K race in 21:57 (6:53, 7:00, 7:33, 0:33; average pace 7:04)

Saturday: Worked out w/ Todd: 1 mi warm up, total body circuit, 1 mi cool down

Sunday: taught 20 min core & taught 50 min spinning in the morning
taught 45 min spinning in the evening


TOTAL: 15 mi

Shakespeare in the Park

Last night, Todd & I headed down to Schiller Park (yes, the same place I teach my boot camp) for Shakespeare in the Park. Every summer, the Actors' Theater of Columbus puts on three different outdoor plays, with one or two actually being written by Shakespeare. Todd & I have gone the past two summers and decided to go again. We invited two other couples but both backed out so it ended up just being Todd & I seeing Treasure Island.

Since we were planning on six of us going, we had prepared a bunch of appetizers to snack on to go along with our sandwiches from Katzinger's Deli. Even though it was only Todd & I, we had a great night with perfect weather and probably a little too much food. Treasure Island was also fantastic, there were lots of sword fighting scenes and neat costumes. It was a great summer night!

Some of our appetizers and yes, of course Todd brought his cheese knives & cutting board
First up, a bottle of wine to quench our thirst
Todd & I before the play started
First scene of Treasure Island....not a bad view!
Hummus with peppers and some smoked salmon dip Todd made to go with pita chips

Basil, provolone, and olive oil on bruschetta chips

I forgot to take pictures of our delicious sandwiches!

Cheryl's sugar cookies for dessert