I'm a Runner...

Every Friday night, I feel a tinge of excitement.  Partly because the weekend has arrived, mostly because of my anticipation for Saturday morning.

I have a ritual that begins around 7:00 p.m.  I start to pick out my running clothes.  I pack my bag of the essentials: Body Glide for chafing (A MUST), my hydration cups, electrolyte tablets, a towel for stretching and a fresh pair of clothes.  Most importantly, I drink a glass of Pinot Grigio (it's a training tip I adopted and loooove it).

I set my alarm for 3:30 a.m. as my six-year old usually tucks me in.  The glass of wine puts me fast asleep.  When the radio sounds abruptly, I treat myself by hitting snooze and sleep until 3:45 a.m. 

I touch my feet to the floor (SUCCESS) and shuffle my way into the kitchen and drink two cups shots of DARK black coffee.  I put an ice cube in it so I can slam it without scalding my throat.  It tastes awful, but it serves its purpose: to wake me up and well, I won't even go there, but you runners out there understand!

I pop a frozen whole grain waffle in the toaster, toast it twice and heat up my natural, organic, with salt peanut butter.  While I check my Facebook for all the important updates I've missed in the last four hours, I inhale the waffle with PB.  Unlike my coffee, this is like a slice of heaven spread with paradise.

I put my clothes on, tie my shoes, make sure I have everything and I'm off.  As I drive to a lake 40 minutes from my house to meet up with my marathon training group, I blast the radio and sing my heart out.  Nobody hears, nobody cares! Saturday morning is for me and only me.  My me time!

The scene I arrive at around 5:30 a.m. is quite unexplainable.  It's already usually around 85 degrees and hundreds of other crazy, *rambunctious runners like myself are warming up, chatting, stretching or making a last minute B-line for the port-a-potty.  From singles to grandparents to teachers, moms, doctors and lawyers, our group is as diverse as it is ambitious.  We all arrive with one common goal, to train for the White Rock Marathon in December.

We start running promptly at 6:00 a.m.  It's hot, humid and dark.  I'm happy, energized and ready.  This is what I do and what I choose to do.  It would be so easy to sleep in on Saturday mornings, but for the next 20 weeks or so, this is how I'll be spending them.  I'm pretty sure a lot of you are thinking I have some sort of mental disorder, but for me, I just get it.  I function by setting goals and following rituals.  It gives me purpose and creates my peace. 

Tomorrow's scheduled run:  a 10-mile loop around the lake.  A quick one.  I'll be home just in time to wake my boys for breakfast!

Thanks to the KLZ, Natalie and Liz – a.k.a The Nerd Mafia!  I love being part of WOW!