Today started really early, with a wake up call of 1am, and ended really late. Running the first leg in Maryland farm country was awesome. Absolutely beautiful, fresh smelling crisp air, and fun rolling hills. Since, both Emmanuel and I were to run portions of the DC run later that day, we decided to split the 3am shift, running 5 each. My 5 was really fun, and as I finished, and we started heading into more known areas, I started to get more and more excited. At the 6am exchange, we were surprised by a group of people waiting for us, that included a Rotarian, two reporters, camera crew, and a local running club. We had fun talking to them, interviewing, and passing out our goods (stickers, pins, etc.) As our 3am shift ended, and Team Green's began, Emmanuel and I hopped aboard their van to continue on. It was fun being in the same van as Dot and Jason again. The first thing their driver, Kevin, noted was the immediate increase in energy and volume. I guess we are the loud and energetic team. Jason ran first then Laura, and then me. I was supposed to run the portion into DC and through GWU's campus with Emmanuel, but a slight change in last minute plans that involved the exchange point having to move from the Lincoln Memorial down to the Capital added 3 extra miles to the run, and since I am not quick enough to run 13 miles in 90 minutes, it was unfortunately only up to Emmanuel to cover or sprint most of the run. I did get the chance to do the first 5 running into Bethesda, and got the awesome company of guest runner Navid, who was soooo excited to meet BPR. He came ready with a whole support team decked out in T-Shirts that said "Team Nav". It was really cool! As Emmanuel took over, getting ready to sprint into DC and meet the Kenyan Ambassador, an extreme honor in his country, I jumped in the Pilot Van to help navigate through a familiar city. It was fun spending time with Fast Eddie and Doctor Steve, trying to get daytime gossip out of them. I think Navid, who was also riding along, especially enjoyed the insight into "Behind the Scenes of BPR". It was fun to be back in DC again, driving through my streets, my campus, and getting to watch Emmanuel the Kenyan and BPR run my daily run. When we finally arrived at the exchange point at the Mall, I was overjoyed to find my friends sitting, waiting, stickered up, and listening to the guests on stage. Thanks Maria, Fro, and Kevin for coming out!!!! =) It was great to come back to a city I lived in, see some good friends, and know that I got there by running…WOW!

Once the exchange was over, which by the way was a very nice ceremony—Emmanuel came in in style and presented a signed jersey to the ambassador who graciously accepted it. Then Dot ran out, once again accompanied by Navid, the guest runner. Following that, Simon led a fun run around the Mall with members of the UDC Track Club. After all that, I left with my friends and Will to get food, then took off with Will to get showered and changed at my friends apt and hit up some serious shopping at Pentagon City. We probably broke the Guinness book of World Records for the quickest shower/change session, rushing through in less than 15 minutes for both of us!!!! Only 4 days until the big finale, and I have to look good for it, so we must maximize all free time to involve shopping and beautifying. At the mall, I succeeded in finding three really cute dresses, and getting a pretty cute haircut…albeit really short one. Will also was able to pick out a nice outfit, and played the pseudo boy-friend role of okaying my outfits like a champ! Thanks Will!! =)

The fun didn't end there though. Post mall, we booked out to go to the Nationals baseball game against the Giants with all of my friends. It was so fun to sit with all of them and just relax. The only unnerving part was the fact that we had to run at 3am…and it was already 9pm. When the game ended, my awesome friends agreed to drive us up to our hotel in Baltimore, so we all piled in the cars and headed up. By the time we got to the hotel it was already almost midnight, and with a 1:30am departure time this did not leave a lot of time for sleeping…so…I decided to chance it and stay up the remaining hour and some.

The next hour ended up being a lot more interesting than most though. First, when I tried to check into my hotel room, or rather, when I tried to check into the Night Pilot hotel room (which should have been empty since they were off running/working), the room they were in was occupied and locked from the inside. I went down to the lobby to inquire and they said to try it again. The sight inside when I did was outrageous! Cigarrette buds everywhere, sheets in the corner, towels in the bathtub, TV blaring, and the worst smell ever. It was clear that something not so innocent was going on in there…and the fact that we still had the room booked made me feel slightly queasy. I couldn't stay in the room for long, so my friends took me down the street to a bar to hang out, which we did until I had to run. So…lesson learned…JUST SAY NO TO SUPER 8 MOTELS!!!!!

To Be Continued...