Mountain Sunrise

Have you ever been atop a mountain for a summer sunrise? It's an amazing experience and very motivating. If you haven't tried it, I would highly recommend it.
I set out on my six miler at 5:30 this morning, just as the sun was rising. I stepped out the door and took in a deep breath of that fresh morning air. I hit 'start' on my handy little gps watch and headed down the hill. A few possible routes crossed my mind, before I decided that today I was going to challenge myself. Running hills before really starting to build your mileage can be very beneficial later in your marathon training. I ran onto Whitney Avenue and then turned onto Davis Street. Up I trekked - I turned into East Rock Park and started my climb. It's a little over a mile from the Davis Street clearing to the summit of East Rock Mountain, and I kept a great pace climbing the hill. Though I've run East Rock Mountain many times, I was not prepared for the beauty that I experienced today. The haze was lightly guarding the city and the sun was lifting up into the sky. A light breeze swept my hair as I looked over the edge of the mountain. These things can't really be understood unless you've been there to feel it, and believe me - I am not a nature buff. I was instantly energized, and though I could have stood there for hours taking it all in, I had an amazing urge to sprint down the mountain. I held back and did not sprint due to the immense possibility of tripping and rolling down the mountain with no one in sight to witness. However, I did continue my morning run, with an overwhelming sense of contentment.

Although my legs were tired from a long week of training (tomorrow is my "rest" day), I could have run up that mountain ten more times, knowing the gift that would await my arrival at the peak.

Now, as I rest my legs (and pray that the poison ivy covering them scabs over), I think about my next run - What will I choose to explore? How fast will I move? What will feel great and what will be screaming for me to stop? It's often too easy to listen to the latter, but I always think of my end goal. If I give in to that sore hamstring or tense shoulder just once, it's going to happen again and again - this would affect my performance in New York tremendously. For any non-professional runner, one of the greatest secrets (okay, not a secret anymore) to performing well in a marathon and completing the race injury-free is to walk to the starting line with the confidence of knowing that you are well-trained. To cheat yourself out of training lessens your chances of success greatly.

One important thing that I need to share with everyone - I always have a purpose in a race, a person that I dedicate my run to. I've run in memory of family friends or to honor an aunt that is a breast cancer survivor. One race was dedicated to the memory of my best friend's dad. And, my first marathon was in memory of my good ol' pops. If it weren't for my dad, I probably never would have started running. He was a runner and tried for years to get me out on runs with him. I was Daddy's little girl and did everything else with him (fishing, working on the house or boat, etc.), but I was never able to join him on a run while he was alive. Even so, I know he's with me every time my sneaker hits the pavement. When I crossed the finish line in Hartford two years ago, I swear I felt his arms wrap around me in pride.

This year all of my training will culminate in a tribute to a very special and inspirational friend. When I learned of Karin's cancer diagnosis, I was devastated. Devastated for her, her family, her husband...But, several times a week she updates us all on her progress through her blog, which I must say is far better than mine. After her first chemo treatment, I was blown away by her optimism and strength. She is one for the saints' books. She is a truly amazing woman. Nothing gets her down, nothing. My devastation has morphed into awe and admiration.
Karin - As I eat up the soles of my Nike's plodding through the five boroughs of New York, I will be thinking of you every step of the way. Your light is enough to keep me going for one hundred miles or more. Much love...