It’s been a hectic week and a half here! I owe some serious updates…<br/><br/><span style=”font-weight: bold;”>Running</span><br/>I picked up a pair of new shoes at <a href=”http://www.potomacriverrunning.com/frames.asp” target=”_blank”>Potomac River Running</a>. I went there because I wasn’t too pleased with the service I had received last time at Footsteps, where I had gone ever since I began running in high school. PRR has a nifty gait analysis system set up with a treadmill, video camera, and a TV. I couldn’t even begin to tell you how useful it was comapred to “run down the block, I’ll watch.” After six pairs and probably over an hour of time, we found that I didn’t need the support shoes that I had been recommended previously; my gait was great. By adding support to a good gait, it actually threw things off. They put me in a shoe with much less support, but a good bit of cushioning, the <a href=”http://www.saucony.com/product_detail.aspx?modelID=20000111&amp;type=M” target=”_blank”>Saucony ProGrid Hurricane 9</a> (hurray for silly names). I successfully ran some serious mileage last week. I did notice that I had a little bit of shin pain AFTER runs, but I think that was just my body telling me it wasn’t fully healed yet. Previously, I was getting tremendous pains DURING runs, which meant I was damaging myself. So, I’ve put ~15 miles on the shoes, some at a very hard pace, and my shins are great.<br/><br/><span style=”font-weight: bold;”>The Fray Day<br/><span style=”font-weight: bold;”></span></span>Caitlin and I attended a concert by <a href=”http://thefray.net/” target=”_blank”>The Fray</a> last Thursday at <a href=”http://www.merriweathermusic.com/” target=”_blank”>Merriweather Post Pavilion</a>. Despite rain, it was a very good show. The openers were <a href=”http://www.whatismae.com/” target=”_blank”>Mae</a> and <a href=”http://www.okgo.net/news.aspx” target=”_blank”>OK Go</a>, who both put on excellent bits as well. I had never been to Merriweather before so of course I have to pass judgement. 1) I will never live in Maryland 2) Their Jack and Cokes are killer 3) There are some really weird people in this world 4) It reminded me of a low-class <a href=”http://www.wolftrap.org/” target=”_blank”>Wolf Trap</a>.<br/><br/>In an effort to beat rush-hour traffic, we left our house around 2pm with <a href=”http://www.ellicottcity.net/” target=”_blank”>Ellicott City</a> in our sites. I had driven through the city once before and knew it had some good things to offer someone looking to burn a few hours, and was not let down. The city consists mainly of a small street lined by antique and specialty shops. We ate at <a href=”http://www.ellicottcity.net/tourism/restaurants/johnnys_bistro_on_main/” target=”_blank”>Johnny’s Bistro on Main</a> based on a review I found online; it was great and fairly cheap… Not to mention the owner and staff were very friendly. If you have a few hours to kill, definitely visit. However, I don’t see being able to spend an entire day there.<br/><br/><a href=”http://www.ellicottcity.net/tourism/restaurants/johnnys_bistro_on_main/” target=”_blank”></a><span style=”font-weight: bold;”><span style=”font-weight: bold;”>Weekend</span></span><br/>I know I did something noteworthy during the weekend (aside from run 6.5 miles on Sunday), but I’m drawing a blank. Caitlin, help me!<br/><br/><span style=”font-weight: bold;”>Biking<br/><span style=”font-weight: bold;”><span style=”font-weight: bold;”></span></span></span>Went mountain biking on Tuesday following a short day of work. I hadn’t been in probably three years due to my crank being busted, but as they say “It’s like riding a bike,” it came right back to me. I think the shop needs to adjust something a little bit as I had difficulty getting in to my highest (lowest? whatever is the easiest pedaling) gear. Anyway, it was great fun with David and Dnorm. We all had our share of spills, but Dnorm definitely took the cake. I was the only one to not leave bloody <img src=”http://www.iammike.org/cutenews/data/emoticons/tongue.gif”/> We did a little sightseeing at the Potomac and chilled for a bit at my old high-school river hangout area… We swam under the waterfall, which is always cool. Unfortunately, the water was a couple feel low so I couldn’t jump off the cliff.<br/><br/><span style=”font-weight: bold;”>Fourth</span><br/>Started the day at 10am with a ride on the Metro. Around 11, we arrived at <a href=”http://www.ballparks.com/baseball/american/rfksta.htm” target=”_blank”>RFK</a> to see the Nats take on the Cubs. We did the tailtgate thing, got a bit tipsy, enjoyed a stellar win by the Nats (first time I’ve ever seen them win) thanks to good pitching and grand slam from <a href=”http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=5699″ target=”_blank”>Dmitri Young</a>. Overall, the Nats are a pretty sad team. I think they had like two guys batting over .250, but it was great to see them get a win on the 4th… It was fitting. Following the game we went back to the tailgate (mainly to avoid the Metro rush), I held some stranger on my back so he could retrieve a tether-game projectile from a tree, and we head back to Arlington.<br/><br/>Back in Arlington, we ran to a BBQ some friends were putting on. Aside from wanting to murder one of his roommates and his friends for being the rudest sons of bitches I’d ever met in my life, it was a pretty good time. I didn’t drink so I am able to pass judgement like that <img src=”http://www.iammike.org/cutenews/data/emoticons/tongue.gif”/> I think I told one of them off pretty well…<br/><br/>Following a ride in a cab that smelled like raw sewage (not joking here), we grabbed the car, and head home. We were lucky enough to catch the Arlington fireworks from our house so that was cool. By 10:30pm, we were asleep.<span style=”font-weight: bold;”><span style=”font-weight: bold;”><span style=”font-weight: bold;”></span></span><br/><span style=”font-weight: bold;”><span style=”font-weight: bold;”><span style=”font-weight: bold;”></span></span></span></span>