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.