Lace Up and Get Out There!

Photo by Sharee Lawler.

I detest treadmills, stair machines and stationary bikes.  Unfortunately, since I come from warm weather people deep in the heart of Texas, I also don’t do outdoor exercise if its below 40 degrees.  That means this was a long, hard winter for me.  Now that the sunny, warm(ish) days are starting to outnumber the cold, wet ones, I have been on the hunt for groups, clubs and such, that meet in the neighborhood for some good, sweaty, outdoor fun. I found everything from an adventure race starting at Union Station to ultimate frisbee at RFK.  There are more options than I anticipated, but I’m certain this list isn’t exhaustive so if you know of some others, please add them in the comments.  Some, but not all, groups do charge membership or participation fees.

Adventure
DC Challenge is a “one-day urban adventure race” on Saturday, May 1st, starting at Kelley’s Irish Times.  They call themselves a 5K that challenges your brain as much as your legs.  Teams of 2 or more race around within a defined area solving clues for a cash prize.

Bocce
If you’re looking for something strategic but with plenty of beer at the end, the DC Bocce League has Tuesday and Wednesday divisions at Garfield Park (2nd & F, SE) and social time at the Pour House.  Registration for the spring season (April to June) closes this Friday, April 2nd.  The League also has a summer season (July-September).

Bootcamp
Lincoln Park may seem like the domain of dogs and kids, but its also a popular outdoor gym.  GI Jane uses the park for the cardio portion of its bootcamp and AHA! starts up its Tuesday/Thursday morning workouts this coming Thursday, April 1st.

For the Kids
If you’re looking for a one stop shop for kids sports teams, check out Sports on the Hill.  Offering everything from baseball to track, SOTH has a variety of seasonal offerings, including summer camps for lacrosse, soccer and basketball.

Golf
Langston is a great course if you want somewhere convenient and not terribly crowded to hit some balls or play a round. You can play 9 holes for $15 during the week or $20 on the weekend.  They’re also offering specials like Women’s Wednesdays and Family Golf Month in July.  If you find you want a little individual instruction but don’t want to go to the golf school at Haines, check out these guys in SE.

Kickball
I don’t get it, but I guess a lot of people do …

Since they require a field that is also near a bar, most leagues play on the Mall.  The two I’ve listed at least play near the Capitol and go to bars in and around Union Station.

The World Adult Kickball Association has three teams: the Potomac, Lightning and Patriot.  They play at 7th Street, NW and then go to Kelley’s Irish Times.

No, Adult Kickball Isn’t Dumb (yeah, the acronym is NAKID) plays at 3rd & Madison, NW and has planned their kick-off for April 10th.

Rowing
Just across the river at the Anacostia Community Boathouse is the Capital Rowing Club.  The Club offers five different programs to choose from, plus a class for beginners,  which is helpful for those of us who grew up a minimum of two hours from any major body of water.

Running
You don’t exactly need a team, but if you like to challenge yourself and meet some new people, group runs can be a good option.

The Hill East Running Club meets at 9:15 AM on Sundays at the entrance to Congressional Cemetery.  Depending on the number of people and preferred distance, they run 4-7 miles.  To get on the distribution list, email marthalacrosse [at] hotmail [dot] com.

Potomac Runners meets Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 6:15 PM near the Capitol reflecting pool, across the street from the National Gallery of Art East Building, at the corner of 3rd Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.  Their training runs are generally 5-8 miles.

DC Front Runners usually meets in Dupont Circle, but on federal holidays they also meet at 10 AM at Union Station for a 5-6 mile run.  Union Station is also the jumping-off point for their Tuesday night “rave runs” in the fall and winter.

EZ8 is a training format that helps women of all ages and fitness levels run an eight minute mile over the course of an eight week program.  The classes are Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 5:45-6:45 AM on the Hill and the Mall.  The next camp starts April 12th.

Tennis
Tennis on the Hill plans to offer classes and tournaments for kids and adults alike.  To get on their distribution list, email ericlegg [at] gmail [dot] com.

If you’re looking for some city-wide competition, the Net Results Tennis Team competes in the Washington Area Tennis League (WATL/USTA).  Based at Sherwood Recreation Center (10th & G, NE), Net Results plays teams from around the city and the region.  For more information, contact Stanley White at 202-230-6097/202-340-3072.

Ultimate Frisbee
The Washington Area Frisbee Club has teams for every skill level from beginner to club level.  Teams play around the region, including at RFK.  Their site has information on joining teams as well as getting plugged in for pick up games.

Still haven’t found what you’re looking for?  If you’re especially fond of your alma mater, you can start (or join) an alumni sport club under the auspices of the Capital Alumni Network.  Or you can always start a Meetup group — it is how I found my favorite weekly workout crew.