Running Around D.C.: New Habits

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Friday, June 2, 2017

By:

Jacob Robertson

Moving to a new city requires changing habits and lifestyle. Often, the lifestyle change is an opportunity to reinvent oneself to a degree. While I didn't use this move as a chance to form a completely new identity, I am attempting to form better habits. Over the past year, I have made multiple attempts to become a runner. I define a runner as someone who runs regularly (3-4 times per week) and actually enjoys it. For the past year, I have been running 0-2 times per week for 1-2 miles and skipping several weeks at a time. I do not typically call myself a runner.

Since the internship experience is, or should be, about growing as a person in every aspect, one of my goals for this summer is to improve my running habits. Five days in Washington and I have ran twice -- a total of 8.32 miles. Certainly, the scenery is spectacular. Running from Foggy Bottom to the Mall, around the Washington Monument and to the Capitol. Dodging tourists and racing to beat the walk signal. Taking a short break to see Lincoln past sunset is never a bad idea. Does this ever get old? 

The beauty of the city, the recent good weather, and having a running parter (fellow SPS intern Michael) all help make it fun. I look forward to the next nine weeks here and many miles around D.C. 

Jacob Robertson