It was some time ago that Luke told me with a distinct lack of seriousness and a wink, hey mom you really should wear your heart rate monitor on the bike every now and then so that you know when to “drop the hammer”.

I am far more concerned with myself being late for anything than I am with someone else being late, so it was, that on several recent Sundays I found myself blazing down the trail to Roxy, hoping to be on time, to meet friends Rick and Deborah one Sunday and my 84 year old friend, Marilyn, the next.
On both occasions pedaling my little heart out while laughing to myself, with Luke’s voice echoing in my mind, “faster mom, faster, faster, time to drop the hammer”.

In about two weeks I turn 50. An age I am excited about for many reasons one being that I will move into the 50 to 55 or 50 to 60 year old women race category where I might actually get to be in the top 10 every now and then.

Okay, a brief excitement, a momentary fleeting kind of thing, because I now remember that many of Sacramento’s most brilliant and fastest women are also turning 50 right along with me or in recent years, already have.

Yet it is still and without a doubt so encouraging to know that age does not diminish our ability to continue to perform in the world of athletics.
I love this George Burn saying, “old, young - just words”.

Really cool that this recent Labor day weekend, Colleen De Reuck, who is 45 year old won a major US road race title, the USA 20K in New Haven.
Jeannie Longo a 50 year world champion cyclist form France still is a force to be reckoned with and my two favorites, 36 year old Paula Radcliff and 32 year old, Chrissie Wellington are both two of the best women athletes in the world.

Paula just recently added the NYC Half Marathon to her many running victories.
I adore Paula as she use to speak to me with great encouragement in her lilting English accent, over my chip synced NIKE shoe to my IPOD, “congratulations, you have just reached a new personal record”.

The amazing two time Kona Iron Man World Champion, Chrissie Wellington, also from England, is an inspiration to women of all ages with her glorious achievements in the world of multi sports.

After a 2.4 mile swim, a grueling 112 miles on the bike, Chrissie still runs the marathon part of these World Championship Triathlons, all 26.2 miles at around a 7 minute mile pace.

And yet the best part is that she finishes with a smile that is so infectious, so genuine, she just radiates pure joy.

I encourage any women involved in running, cycling or swimming to see her in action as she is amazing not only in her ability but in her graciousness and passion for the sport.

I am so happy with our Wednesday morning distance running group, because it has been the ladies who have kept with it. I am so very proud of Kaitlin who has trained relentlessly for her first half marathon this October and Sarah who is making running a part of her life. I think Emily in her pursuit of the New York marathon and Becky in pursuit of Boston by way of CIM, are just amazing with their dedication to what it takes to get there.

I know, tomorrow under Emily’s direction you will all do some serious speed work while I do my slow walk/run pace waiting impatiently for the swelling to go down in the ankle.

Though I am now the follower and not the leader I am still going to ask of you one thing –

at some point while you are out there in that crisp and lovely early morning,
Smile, take a deep breath and listen. And then do it for you, do it for me, do it for the girl’s team of the whole world -

Drop the hammer.

Join us at the Cowtown Runner's Symposium, Thursday Evening, October 1st at Lucca

One Fine Morning ~ Taking the High Road

So our little 5:30 am group has expanded.

Just knew my guys, Cameron and Bob could get up that early and run.

Many thanks to our distance coach Emily, who keeps us all on track. Em just slaps that old headlamp on and off we go into the dark.

This morning all 6 of us.

Emily leads the way laughing along, keeping us on pace. For Emily who is training for the New York Marathon in October, this is an easy stint. Kaitlin, who is well into her half marathon training and is just so awsome, is right there by her side. Sara who has come leaps and bounds with her own running, holding her own with the natural born runner, my big kid, Cameron right there with her.

Leaving me with my own personal body guard, the super fit Bob Shea, as we all move as one big chain into the early morning light. As the first miles go by, the group leaves us and as we hit the levy it is still dark enough outside that all I could do is hear Bob next to me. Suddenly as the sun begins to rise, I notice Bob turn around and run backward. I think, Oh my God Terri, You're running THAT slow. Bob it turns out, is just spitting and tells me he was trying to be delicate about it. Funny guy!

Running this morning got me thinking about my training for another race not long ago. A race I ended up not doing. I remember a friend saying to me, "wow you must be so disappointed after all the work you did, then not to race" - not so much.

Running for me has never been about just training for any particular race. Running has become more a way of life. Back in January when we started our official training, I told my team our motto would be, "the journey is the reward".

This is it guys, this is the journey. Hope you enjoy it, every lovely second of it - the peacefulness, the bliss of knowing for a short time it is just you and a few other early souls as the rest of land still sleeps, breathing your way into the day, catching glimpses of the stillness of the river, the pink and gold light as the sun begins to ascend over the city.

Cameron said on the way back, and as they again all ended up way ahead of their team mama, leaving me all by my slow little self for a short time, that they named themselves,

"Terri's Favorite Five". Yes you are, Em, Kaitlin, Sarah, Cam and Bob. Today you are.

Come join us Wednesday Mornings when we meet at McKinley Park 5:30 am for our breathtaking sunrise runs, usually 6 to 8 miles long.