Along the Maryland and Delaware coastal embayments (Coastal Zone Information Center 1996)

Typically, TJ and I don't run with the crowd, but the beach had been luring us for weeks, and we finally submitted to its call on the long Labor Day weekend -- like pretty much everyone else east of the Mississippi. Luckily, we got an early start on the highway toward the Eastern Shore, so we didn't get held up by too much traffic. Nevertheless, it was almost dark by the time we pulled into the lot of our motel, Seaside Inn, in Fenwick Island, a tiny town on the Delaware-Maryland border at the north end of Ocean City's sprawl.

It was a little late for the full-on, sit-down meal, so we headed to the counter at Ocean Side Pizzeria to order some indulgent vacation food: a cheesesteak for TJ, a pizza sub for me, and onion rings to share (top left). Then we headed three doors down, to Matteo's Salsa Loco, for a nightcap of $2 Natty Lights. The next morning, all bright signs -- the sun, the sand, the chairs -- pointed to the beach (top right). Dogs weren't allowed on the beach a block from our hotel, so we took Sage to Fenwick Island State Park for a stroll among a flurry of fishermen (bottom left). When TJ took one last dip in the local beach before we left town, we realized that many humans were not obedient to the no-dog rule. There were plenty of furry creatures frolicking on the city-beach sand; in the water, TJ and dozens of dolphins did the same (bottom right).

The greatness of a beach vacation is that you can eat breakfast as late as you want. We didn't get around to it until after noon on our first full day. We cruised up the coast to Bethany Beach, where we fought for a parking space so we could head to the family-friendly Frog House Restaurant. TJ fed his need for seafood with a shrimp-salad sandwich, and I acted as if it weren't too late for brunch, with eggs Benedict florentine (left). We walked the planks of the boardwalk before heading farther north to Rehoboth Beach. When we couldn't find a parking spot near Dogfish Head Brewing & Eats, we abandoned ship and headed back south. On our way back, we stumbled upon Mickey's Family Crab Shack, a great all-you-can-eat "seafood dive," where you can play games such as Shut the Box at the bar (I won only once against TJ). We were too full for a platter of crabs, so we opted for a snack of oysters Chesapeake, a version of oysters Rockefeller topped with crab and bacon, and some local beers: Inlet IPA from 16 Mile Brewery and Lot No. 3 IPA from Evolution Craft Brewing Company (right).

On a beach vacation, you can also eat dinner as early as you want, especially when happy-hour and early-bird specials abound. We spent some more time relaxing at the beach before we set off on a happy-hour hunt. Our target location was farther away than expected -- in other words, a longer walk than I wanted to make -- so serendipitously we ended up at Papa Grande's Coastal Taqueria. The tacos and nachos were discounted but authentic, a credit to chef Matt Haley, who had recently died in a motorcycle accident during a humanitarian trip to India. The fish tacos included the subtle touch of sliced radish (left), and the nachos featured cabbage and whole black beans (right).

It was as if we were dining along a Baja California bay, except the view outside was actually an Atlantic inlet (left). But the best deals were definitely found down the road at High Stakes Bar & Grill, where Natty Bo bottles were on sale for $2 because an Orioles game was on. We stayed long enough, watching the game and the bar-surfing characters, that TJ got hungry again. He ordered another cheesesteak because it is the restaurant's specialty. It must've been at least as good as his first because he actually smiled in a photo for once (right). 

The next day, we left Sage at the hotel, so we could head into Assateague Island National Seashore, well-known for its wild horses, which we saw all over the place (top). Some were chilling out on the roadside bike trail, so close that you could touch them (bottom left). I opted for taking some close-ups instead (bottom right), considering the many posted warnings about horse bites, including one photo of a woman getting some horse teeth to her cheek.

Before we headed to the seashore, we had picked up some steamed shrimp and a crabcake sandwich from Bahama Mamas Seafood Outlet, so we could have a picnic seaside (top). The beach was packed with swimmers and parasurfers, but we managed to find a spot with some space away from any neighbors, except one seagull who wouldn't take a hint (bottom left). Heading out after a day of surf and sun, we stopped by the inlet side of the park, where kayakers were coming ashore beside families hunting for crabs and mussels from the pier (bottom right).

By far, our best meal came as a recommendation from a Fenwick Island State Park patron who ran up to show us a photo of her dog, who she thought looked like Sage (the resemblance didn't go much further than the fact that both of them have fur, but oh well). She swore by Captain Mac's Fish House (top left), so we continued our seafood fest there with crab soup, a shrimp-salad sandwich, and their specialty: "bangin' shrimp" (top right). But the best part was something our beach adviser didn't even mention: a bucket of craft brews swilled while watching the sun set over the bay (bottom).

 

We could hardly bear to leave the beach, so we took the long road home, starting with a stop in Berlin. The town, named America's Coolest Small Town by Budget Travel in 2014, is home to the Atlantic Hotel, which was built in 1895 and is supposedly haunted by the ghost of a small girl (top left). It is also home to Burley Oak Brewing Company, which had a welcoming interior (top right). We had Sage in tow, though, so we toughed it out on the sunny patio (bottom left). Sage wisely found some shade while TJ and I sampled a Just the Tip kolsch and Golden Sex Panther saison (bottom right).

We crossed all the way to the west side of the Eastern Shore to visit St. Michaels (top left), where we had a picnic in Muskrat Park (top right). Despite the heat, we took a stroll through the shadows of the many historic buildings in the town, including the Dr. Dodson House, which was built in 1799 and visited in 1877 by Frederick Douglass, who was born in the area (bottom left). Unfortunately, no one was home at Lyon Distilling Company, so we didn't get to take home a bottle of local whiskey (bottom right) -- but at least we have a good reason to go back to the beach soon.

 

Runners who embody the marathon spirit (H.Res.1704)

Truth be told, I signed up for my first marathon as motivation to lose weight. Even before marathon training, I was eating as if I were marathon training. I had put on what I call the "home leave 15," similar to the "freshman 15," except the pounds are much harder to lose. I've been trying to remind myself that it is not possible nor wise to try to eat a two years' supply of all the food you know will miss at your next two-year post. But still, there are just some opportunities I can't pass up.

After all, Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week happens only twice a year. Fewer and fewer restaurants are participating, so it can be difficult to find one worth a reservation. But we were satisfied with our $35.14 dinners at Woodward Table. For his main dish, TJ splurged on the duck confit, which cost a few dollars extra, and we added a side of macaroni and cheese (top). Before my entree of pork belly, I had an heirloom beet salad, and TJ went with traditional fried chicken livers (bottom left). We topped off our meal with a bourbon bread pudding and blueberry pie (bottom right).

 

Another DC food tradition is Truckeroo, a food-truck fiesta held once a month during summer at Half Street Fairgrounds near Nationals Stadium (top). So far, I have limited myself to one Truckeroo, but unfortunately, that one time I did not limit myself to one snack. For starters, TJ and I shared some larb gai (Laotian minced meat salad) from Sang On Wheels (bottom left). There were really long lines, so it got dark while we digested and waited for tostones and a tripletas sandwich (named for its three types of meat: pork, ham, and skirt steak) from Borinquen Lunch Box (bottom right).

 

Part of the problem has been the mild weather this year. It just makes you want to go to outside events, where there usually is food on offer. On the way to Truckeroo, for example, we swung by the Friday night concert at downtown Yards Park (left). For once, I exhibited some willpower and walked past a pie food truck. I had less success a few days later, when TJ and I took a stroll through the Arlington County Fair. At a fair, it is mandatory to have fair food, so we split cheese fries and a BBQ brisket sandwich (right). I did manage, however, to pass on riding the Zipper.

 

At another outdoor festival, I did fall prey to a food truck: burgers from BurGorilla, an aptly named operation to be involved with Brew at the Zoo (left). We didn't see any actual gorillas, but TJ and I did check out some turtles at the National Zoo's Amazonia exhibit before we sampled some beers (right). The standout of the evening -- besides the moment when the Trolley Pub, there to promote its tours, undermined itself by crashing into a food truck -- was the stand with offerings from Adroit Theory Brewing Company.

 

At Brew at the Zoo, I also sampled Samsquanch, an American IPA named after a recurring joke from the Canadian comedy show The Trailer Boys on offer from 3 Stars Brewing Company. Some time later, TJ and I decided to visit the actual brewery, near Takoma Park, DC. After sipping free tastes of all five beers on tap, we settled in with pints of Peppercorn Saison and The Phoenix rye saison, along with a hummus sandwich (they ran out of falafel) from the food truck parked outside. 

After our stop at 3 Stars, we headed to the opening weekend of Denizens Brewing Company, in Silver Spring, Maryland. They were still getting the full brewery up and running, but nonetheless, we enjoyed their two beers on tap -- Southside Rye IPA and Lowest Lord ESB -- on a lovely patio, which happened to be fronted by a crepe food truck that I just had to try, of course. 

Three breweries in one day is one too many, so we saved Bluejacket Brewery for another day (left). The Navy Yard brewery/restaurant has a draft list with nearly two-dozen beers, which rotate often. Plus, lots of the offerings are high ABV, so you're encouraged to get tastes instead of pints (right). I particularly liked the beers that usually end up being too desperate and overdone at other breweries, such as their chili-infused stout, Mexican Radio, and their smoked brown ale, Tinderbox. 

 

To round out our DMV beer tour, during DC Beer Week we hit the Virginia Brewers' Bash at Mad Fox Brewing Company, where I had my first pumpkin beer of the season: Pumpkin Hunter from Devil's Backbone Brewing Company. At each place, I finally ordered on track with what should be a runner's diet: a protein-packed charcuterie plate and a well-balanced flatbread pizza. As long as I don't run near any food trucks, I just might be able to stick to better eating habits.

The rising tide means run for the hills (146Cong.Rec.8103)

In case you didn't know, there are people out there who choose -- pay, even -- to run 100 miles, and my husband is one of them. After doing 50K and 50-mile races, TJ signed up for the Burning River 100, a one-way race through northeast Ohio. Running 100 miles takes, well, a while, so you have to start pretty early in the morning. After making it to Ohio from Virginia at about 9 p.m. on a Friday, we were up again at 2 a.m. Saturday to get to Squire's Castle near Willoughby for the 5 a.m. start (left). The running pack donned neon bracelets and headlamps so they could make their way through the early-morning dark (right).

As TJ made his way from aid station to aid station in Cleveland Metroparks (left) and Cuyahoga Valley National Park (right), he was looking strong. Following him around as his "crew," I was not feeling as energized. I grabbed some sleep whenever I could while waiting for TJ to check in, in the hopes of resting up for my pacing session with him. In perhaps a decision more crazy than his choice to run the race at all, I volunteered to accompany him for 16 miles through the night. I knew that I could in no way pace TJ, since I am not an experienced runner, but I figured I could at least keep him from going off the route or falling off a cliff. When he was going so fast for the first 50 miles, though, I was scared that I wouldn't be able to keep up. Lucky for me, by the time he hit mile 75, he was losing steam. Between some tight muscles and many steep trails, we walked most of the way to mile 91, when we parted ways for him to conquer the final stretch alone.

It started to rain after we split ways, so by the time he crossed the finish line at Falls River Square in Cuyahoga Falls, TJ was soaked as well as spent (left). He came in 78th overall, with a total time just under 28 hours, a few hours short of his target time of 24 hours. But to be sure, his achievement is still remarkable. Of the 300 runners who started the race, less than half even finished, either because they didn't make cutoff times or dropped out. The wear and tear is just too much for some people's bodies, which is why there is free foot care at the end of the race (right). TJ actually fared pretty well, except for his swollen hobbit feet.

So what do you do to top a 100 mile race? Well, run another one, of course, after realizing your rookie mistakes. Unfortunately, there aren't a lot of 100-milers before we leave the States, so in the immediate future TJ will have to settle for another 50K and another 50-miler. He also wanted to do a marathon as a training run, and in yet another crazy decision, I convinced him to sign up for the Freedom's Run, so I could do it, too. With my first marathon only a few months away, I kicked my training into high gear, which means every weekend now must include some way to squeeze in a run.

This makes camping a perfect outing, so during a recent weekend, we headed back to wild and wonderful West Virginia, this time to the Monongahela National Forest (top). On the Saturday, I put in 6 miles in and around the nearby Stuart Day Use Area, and the next day, TJ logged about the same amount, although he submitted to more hills as he ran from the Otter Creek Wilderness (bottom left) up to our campground, Bear Heaven (bottom right). Thankfully, neither of us encountered any bears.

 

We went up some other hills in a more relaxing manner. We drove up to Spruce Knob, the highest point in West Virginia (left), then walked -- not ran -- the 800 feet or so to the observation tower. With this slower pace, we were able to enjoy the wildflowers and butterflies that surrounded us along the trail (right).

But when you're in the middle of marathon training, at whatever pace, you still need to adequately fuel up, right? We found our proteins and carbs in the college town of Elkins. TJ had a tasty burger, and I had a generous grilled mortadella sandwich at The Jabberwock (left). The rock-climbing bartenders there informed us that The Icehouse, a cool bar in an actual old icehouse at Davis & Elkins College (right), had let its liquor license lapse, so we had to look for other locations to re-hydrate.

 

We were also shut out by the Brewstel, a hostel/brewery next door to The Jabberwock. Its owners, once again according to the rock-climbing bartenders, are a little, um, distracted at times, so it's open when it's open, and it wasn't. The next day, we also met an unexpected "closed one day only" sign at Blackwater Brewing Company in Davis. But we finally found some humectation at Mountain State Brewing in Thomas, where we wet our whistles on their Cold Trail Ale, Seneca Indian Pale Ale, Almost Heaven Amber Ale, and Miner's Daughter Oatmeal Stout (left). On our scenic route home, we also stumbled upon Hunter's Head Tavern in Upperville, Virginia, where we washed down Welsh rarebit with one more beer each (right). But hey, it came with a salad, so by Sunday night, we were right back to a lean, mean running machine routine.