Something that terrifies a lot of people — and don’t get me wrong, it scares me too — is starting over. Starting over completely doing something new, in some place new, where you know basically no one. Its a frightening thing to do, but its something that I believe can make you stronger if you can be okay getting outside of your comfort zone.
If you follow me on Twitter, you know that I’m about to embark on a new adventure this summer. One that takes me 3000 miles away from where I currently am (and therefore my friends and family) past where my parents live in beautiful Minnesota to Washington, D.C. where I will be starting law school.
The Bitter Lawyer (this is a fantastic econ/law joke if you get it…nerd alert!)
Yes, yes that means I will be simultaneously be working on my J.D. and PhD at the same time, but I couldn’t be more excited about the opportunities that this will bring for my career and how much better its going to prepare for my future.
As great as this all is, I’m moving 3000 miles away from my friends and family, and moving to a city where I currently have less than 5 friends, two of who are probably leaving for grads chool themselves. While I’m excited and putting on a happy face, I am also nervous and sad to leave the wonderful friends I’ve made here in Santa Cruz and move to a place where I will be essentially alone, and have to start all over again. I know that this is the best move for my career, but am still apprehensive as to whether or not its the best move for me personally.
Regardless, I hope you join me on this new journey, as I navigate through a new city, new school adventures, and finding new friends, races and fitness communities. Thank you for being a part of my adventures thus far — I can’t wait to share the new ones with you all!
— Anyone live in the DC/NoVa area who runs or does triathlons and/or know of a training/racing group? I’d love to get involved in a group or meet up with people just as soon as I arrive in August!! If you live there, or know someone who does and would be interested in having a new friend, please let me email me (phdstrides (at) gmail (dot) com)
phdstrides.wordpress.com 
Remember, Pittsburgh is only a Megabus ride away! Best of luck to you! Congrats on this next step. Moving far away from family for graduate school was one of the most challenging and yet most rewarding things I have ever done. It will be difficult, but in the long run (pun intended) it is well worth it!
That’s great to know! If I ever have a free weekend (hah, in law school), I might just have to come up! I have never been to Pittsburgh! And you’re right it is totally worth it (at least the last one was, so hopefully this one is too!!!)! Its great to know there are others out there who have the same feelings about it!
Excited for you for his new adventure!! I moved across the country to work on my PhD. It is a little scary, but you will meet lots of Awesome new people, I’m sure. Looking forward to hearing more about how it goes for you.
I am so excited for you and this new adventure! I am sure that you will settle in and find a great running group in no time.
DC is such a great city, I know the Lulu has a run club and Alexa (you and I went to her birthday party) lives there now too!
I’m so excited for you! I’m sure you’ll meet and make new friends in no time! I’m looking forward to hearing about your next chapter!
Elise,
I moved out here two years ago from Minnesota, and it was scary. I haven’t found a real running nitch, but where you will be there is a great run group at Pacers in Crystal City I know that meets you could run with. There are also plenty of races around here that are awesome. I’m planning to do this one this summer if you want to join! http://www.safetyandhealthfoundation.org/friends/
Two runners who blog in dc- Planes, Trains and Running Shoes and Sweat Once a Day…
Ahh! Thanks! Hopefully they’ll be my new running BFFS (they just don’t know it yet)!
Hey! I currently goto Mason, and live in the dc area. You will find there is plenty of trails, and run groups around here. Pacers and Potomac river running are two major local running stores in the area, and they both do run groups and various other training sessions. You are also guaranteed to find 5ks, 10ks, and maybe halfs during every month. There is also lululemon and nike who do evening runs in georgetown (which if your at the arlington gmu campus may be closer for you) I’m currently training for the marine corp marathon (which, if you will be in dc in October I highly recommend running or being a spectator.. It’s amazing). Anyway, feel free to send me an email if you need more info!
I will be going to Mason too! I will definitely drop you a line! I will be running MCM this fall too (I start training in late July when I get back from Peru), so we will have to do some runs together!!