Started work this morning around 5:45 am. Was dressed to run but could not get out the door. Motivated now by the fact that I can't miss another day, I was able to leave the office tonight right at 5:30 pm. Tracey and the girls were in Orlando at Disney for the day. The boys were off somewhere on there own. I came straight home, changed clothes and headed out the door. It was already dark and kind of chilly by the time I got going but it felt incredible. The cool air felt wonderful in my lungs and I took in huge, deep breaths, every several yards just to enjoy the air. I really felt free tonight, like I could run forever. I was just in the zone where no one else was around, the pace felt metronomic, and I just got lost in the run. I wasn't really going fast or anything, just enjoying the run.
Three 8's down. One to go and then Christmas morning! Not sure what I want to do Christmas but my Chrismas morning runs are often some of my most cherished. The one that stands out the most was back around 2003, my family spent the holiday in Gatlinburg, TN.I woke up that morning before sunrise and headed up into the mountains. I found a 6 mile trail (3 up, 3 down) that was absolutely stunning. The ground was covered with snow and frosted liken. The trees were either barren but covered in ice or evergreens covered in a blanket of snow. The air was pristine, crisp, and almost sweet to breath. All I could hear was the crunching under my feet and the sound of ice crackling from the trees or dripping to the leaves below. It was a sanctuary and I had the priviledge to worship there. What a great day. Tomorrow could be like that only replace the mountain with Clearwater Causway Bridge and the ice/snow crunch with the sound of beach sand crunching on the sidewalk. As long as it doesn't rain, it will be a run to remember.
Time: 6:15 pm Total Time: 1:05:39 (8:08 avg)
Temp: 55ยบ Humidity: 76% | 