Wheezing on Wilson, Running Routes that start in the Clarendon

Shira (and of late, I!) goes to NOVA MMA, a gym located in Clarendon (and down the street from WoW). Whenever I can, I'll go with her to the gym, and run while she works out. Because of the proximity to DC, I've found that the area has some terrific runs. I was on one of those tonight, and I thought it would be worthwhile sharing them.

My plan is to add to this post as I record the routes I regularly take. They all start and end from the same point in Clarendon. If you find yourself in that area, and want to go for a run, maybe these will be inspirational.

• DC Zero Mile Marker - head into the city to find the Zero Mileage Marker. As sites in DC goes, this one was pretty audacious: a marker from which all streets in the US would be measured. Alas, it wasn't meant to be, and only DC uses it for measurements. Still, a fun location to find.
• Hustle for Hardware - Perhaps you need to pick up some essentials, and want to do it on a run? This route takes you to two different hard stores (careful, the one on Lee Highway closes at 5pm), one of which is my beloved Ayers Hardware.
• Naval Observatory - head over to the Naval Observatory, maybe Biden will invite you in for tea? More likely you'll get to see guards at an important looking gate and the official Naval Observatory time clock. Follow the route to encounter a surprising cut-through / trail. Fun stuff.
• Georgetown Reservoir - a close encounter with the Georgetown Reservoir. Unfortunately, there's a tall fence and no obvious way to loop around the reservoir, so this isn't the ideal run. Still, fun to check out.
• Potomac Heritage Trail: Theodore Roosevelt Island to Windy Run - a "real" trail run in Arlington. Lots of fun.
• Potomac Heritage Trail: Potomac Overlook Park to Windy Run - mostly a road run with some trail running mixed in for good measure. A nice challenge.
• Glover-Archbold Trail - heads into DC and covers part of the Glover-Archbold Trail; really fun.
• Around Roosevelt Island - a nice mix road, offroad-trail and paved trail running
• Over Memorial Bridge
• To Fort CF Smith - a relatively short run, but one that gives you a little dose of trail running, and some fun Civil War history.
• To the Dumbarton House - this run takes you into DC and over to the Dumbarton House. Even if you don't interrupt your run to check out the property, you'll still get a nice glimpse of the graveyard located behind the house
• Dumbarton Oaks Park - Run through a surprisingly authentic natural area, all without straying far from the hustle and bustle of Georgetown.

More to come as I map more routes...