Reginald reporting in from behind the camera, as usual.
I bring you tidings from Foggy Bottom/Adams Morgan/Dupont/Rhino Bar/etc. on this monthly little trek to the District of Column's (it's either that or Columbus, and I think columns are cooler). A neat event just occured; the United States Army 10 Miler (ATM forthwith). A ten mile race beginning to the northwest of the Pentagon, winding across the bridge into Washington proper, through the monuments and back down the river. Oh, and did I mention over 30,000 participants this year?
Why the trek for this auspicious occasion you might ask? Well my master's dear "souer" decided to exercise her exercise-tastic abilities, and try out a road race. So what transpired, and where didst our journeys take us?
Arriving midday Saturday at Reagan International Airport, we disembarked from that tin can and headed deep into Beltway territory to grab a bite to eat. As we perused the local neighborhoods for a tasty treat, we came upon a fairly surprising celebration/creative festival. The one and only, CRAFTY BASTARDS Arts and Crafts Fair, as presented by the Washington City Paper. Ridiculous, "crunchy", and "granola" do seem to be apt phrases for this event, but the mixture of alternative arts and crafts, handmade tchotchke, B-boy competition, and more make it undeniably cool and boss. Check out Washington City Paper's highlights of the events HERE.
Onto the event in question, I suppose. Rising bright and early in anticipation of a 7:30 kickoff, the intrepid travelers (myself included) headed over on the Blue Line to the Pentagon stop, and queued with the other 30,000 plus ATM racers, exhibitors, sightseers and supporters along the starting route.
Top individual times of the day went to Ms. Samia Akbar of Virginia with a time of 55:25 and to Mr. Alene Reta with a time of 46:59. Both times broke previous ATM event records, and are incredible in the amout of stamina and effort exhibited by each racer. My owner's sister finished strong and consistent around the 10 minute mark, and frankly, I think she just didn't want to embarass her opponents. Congratulations to everyone who went out and competed!
The last stop of the weekend was one of culinary delight. Founding Farmer's restaurant is a "farm-to-table" style restaurant and one of very few "Gold" rated LEED Certified restaurants in the U.S. Owned by a cohort of farmers, fishers, and ranchers; Founding Farmer's provides high quality food and drinks from high quality resources and produce. Items like diver scallops and pumpkin risotto, to rack of lamb, low country shrimp and grits, and so much more. I highly suggest you wet your snout with a Constitution or Dark and Stormy cocktail to set things off properly. Check out their great blog here: Founding Farmers: true food and drink
Thats all for now, but stay tuned: The Nose is goingto start having foreign correspondent entries from our two new staff! In the meantime, as the "Most Interesting Man in the World" would say: Stay Thirsty!
the nose needs to make a trip out to ames, ia. pronto.
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