I took a hiatus from my early-morning running for about a month and let my new world-order settle around me. With two kids to get motivated in the morning and no partner to lean on, it’s hard to run early and then rush around getting them ready for school.
Last night, I decided that I was ready for re-entry into the zone of sunrise worshipping. I played around on Twitter for a few hours, re-connected with some running friends and learned about a great trail north of Boulder that I’ve never been on. The genuine “welcome back” from my virtual peeps was a salve to my heart and reminded me of the safety net that even virtual friends provide.
I had to be home by 7am at the latest, and counted backwards. If I wanted to run for an hour I had to leave by 6am, which realistically meant that I should set the alarm for 5:30 because in all likelihood I would hit Snooze at least once… maybe twice.
The morning went without a hitch, and at 6am my feet hit the pavement. Sixty minutes of running, sixty minutes of breathing in the chilly morning air and saying hello to a new day. Dawn holds a promise of hope and dreams that are not yet realized. Potential.
The light was grey and still under a cloudless sky. As I made my way south on Via Appia to the Rec Center my heart rate elevated slightly and settled into an even tempo that provided a quiet through-line to my rhythmic breathing. Two miles of gentle incline ended on the flat mesa of Davidson, the only place I know of in Boulder County that boasts 360-degree views of the Front Range to the west, and plains to the east.
I’ve been adding new music to my iPod this spring, and today I got to hear a totally new mix of songs that rock my brain. My shoes found sure footing on the crushed gravel trail as I bounced along to Matt Nathanson, Tab Benoit, Janis Joplin and the Barenaked Ladies.
A mile into the 3-mile Davidson loop, magic happened. The glowing light to the east turned gold, and the sun slipped effortlessly over the horizon. I turned my face to greet the star that I worship, and thanked the Sun God for showing up each and every morning and being the constant in my life.
I adore dawn for many reasons, and running when the sun comes up makes me extremely happy. I don’t run every day, but the days when I do are special. I’m reminded that there’s always hope, and when I witness a new day, I am renewed.
