My husband had the idea to get up early and run down to the mall. We knew lots of the cable news networks and national network morning shows would be set up down there and embarrassingly enough, we are "those people" who enjoy watching TMZ and Access Hollywood. So, camera in hand and clothed in as many warm layers as we could find, we headed through Rosslyn and onto the Mt. Vernon Trail. We ran across the frozen Potomac via the Roosevelt Bridge, down a little path by the Kennedy Center and onto the mall from the Lincoln Memorial. It was fun running by the Lincoln Memorial and marveling at just how long the line we had stood in the afternoon before really was.
As soon as we passed the Washington Monument we saw the promised land of celebrity ogling. Our first stop was the set of CBS's "The Early Show." They were preparing to interview Simon Cowel's opera singing sensation "Il Divo." The group and their entourage were waiting in several dark Suburban's. We snapped a couple of photos, watched a few minutes of a cooking segment, and then decided to continue on and scope out our next sight. Our top priority was a picture with Al Roker, so we were keeping our eyes especially peeled for a black weatherman or an NBC's "Today Show" logo.
Our next dose of excitement came a few yards later when we spotted the CNN set. Soledad O'Brian was there, as was the governor of New York. (His body guards were huge!) Once again, we observed for a few minutes, snapped some photos and continued. Hanging around in one spot was not an option because it was freezing (literally) and it had started to snow.
Our next stop was in front of the MSNBC set. Their set-up was definitely the most impressive, but we saw no sign of any reporters, only a few technical people. We inquired if Al was in one of the trailers and the response was a rather unfriendly "no." We ran practically all the way to the capital without sighting our favorite weather man. So, while our hopes of an Al spotting were dashed, we turned around and headed home feeling relatively satisfied with our run. After all, we had spotted a couple of famous CNN anchors, a governor, and a famous musical group.....not bad for a morning jog.
The best part was yet to come, however. As we ran back by the CBS set, we spotted......drum-roll please.....STEVIE WONDER!!! He was being interviewed about the concert and he was literally 5 feet from us. I was amazed at the small number of spectators. (Although considering the 20 degree temps, wind, and snow, I suppose my amazement was a little silly.) We stood and listened to the interview and, of course, snapped a couple of photos. We probably should have stayed until the end of the segment because the crowd was so small, an autograph would have been a definite option. But our toes were freezing and our clothes were starting to feel wet from the snow so we headed for home.
The entire run back to our apartment, my husband and I talked about just how cool our morning run had been. One of the coolest parts was that, with only a few exceptions, the only people on the mall that morning were runners. They, like us, had their cameras and would pause to snap a couple of photos when they ran by a set or a reporter. I guess some people would respond by saying that only runners are crazy enough to be outside in the bitter, early morning weather. But I, of course, disagree. I think that our experience Monday morning is just another reason to add to the long list of reasons why running is so freakin' awesome. There really is no better way to see a new city or experience a new event, than to run there. If we weren't "crazy runners" we would have missed such a rich experience......not just the celebrity sightings; but the celebrity sightings on a quiet, peaceful, snowy morning on the National Mall. The same National Mall that would be covered in 2 million people 24 hours later. I mean, seriously, how cool?
Okay, enough sentiment for now.....I'm sure the warm fuzzy feeling will flee quickly when I attempt my 7 mile tempo run on Wednesday. I'll keep you posted.
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