Last night the temperature was actually pretty decent when I headed out to get a short run in. I decided to mix things up last night and try a different route in hopes of finding one that's not full of traffic lights every block.

I'm happy to report I was fairly successful. I turned down a street off the main one I usually run on and ended up in a fairly safe looking neighborhood. There were a couple other people out and a few families with little kids, plus it was in a good part of town. So I think I might look at that area a little more on a map to see if I can work out a way to get more of mileage in that area. Maybe with the new route, I will stop hating city running.

Last night I whipped out 3.7 miles in 37 minutes. Can't complain about that.

I got my race confirmation stuff from Virginia Beach and after reading through it, I'm officially pumped for the race. I know my time won't be good, but I'm excited to run/walk it and have lots of fun. The BF has decided he's going to at least start the race and we're going to run/walk (probably with a lot more walking at the end) together, take lots of pictures and just in general try to enjoy the experience.

T minus 12 days til it's racing time!

I'm back to civilization after surviving my weekend in Bristol, TN for the Nascar race. And while I didn't think the races themselves were all that thrilling, the rest of the weekend was a blast.

I don't have the best pictures ever because my camera broke on the trip down so I've got a few from the BF's iPhone and from his mom's camera.

I managed to get a run in Saturday morning and I learned that Tennessee is unbelievably hilly. I don't think I ran on flat ground for more than 2.5 seconds. It was all up and down, with the majority of it being up, up and more up. My favorite part of the run was when I was running back into the campground, one of the security people goes to his partner, "Now that's dedication," as I ran by. I guess not many Nascar fans drag themselves out of bed at 7 a.m. to head out for a run.

Anyway, here's the rest of the weekend, as told in pictures:

August humidity has finally set into the D.C. area. It was absolutely gross out this morning at 6:15 when I headed out to get a run in. I did about three miles and it seriously felt like there was no oxygen in the air because it was all water. Nasty, nasty.

I was sweating like wow by the time I got home. Sweet AC and a freezing cold shower never felt so good.

I normally don't get to do morning runs anymore because of my work hours, but today was awesome. I had to come in to work late anyway, because my roommate is taking me to a Keith Urban concert tonight for an early birthday present. Since the concert's in the city, it's easier for me to just come in to work later rather than leave work, go back to Md. turn around and come back to the city.

So I was super excited to run in the morning. It made me hate running in the city so much less than normal! I only had to stop at one light! Score!

Tonight's concert also kicks off a weekend of complete hickish behavior. After my awesome country music concert tonight, BF and I leave tomorrow for Tennessee to see some of his family. Do you know what else we'll be doing in Tennessee?

Going to a Nascar race....yea...Nascar. Like the world's fakest, most hill-billy sport ever.

Oh and guess where we'll be staying while in Tennessee. In a camper. Next to the racetrack. Apparently showers cost $5 at the campground. This explains so much to me about the South.

Perhaps if you've been reading long enough, you know my idea of vacation is going to a nice beach, staying a hotel with running water and nice plush pillows and comfy sheets. Roughing it isn't so much my style. So this will be an experience for sure.

I'm sure the tailgate aspect of the campground will be tons of fun as long as I can avoid offending any hill-billys. To do this, I must avoid saying things like, Nascar is the stupidest thing ever, Why would anyone want to sit and watch cars drive in circles for three hours, and ummm why does that guy only have two teeth? Otherwise I'm sure I'll be fine.

BF's stepdad told me there some places to run down there, so I'm packing up stuff and of course bringing my camera because this weekend totally needs to be captured and shared with you all.

Wish me luck.