Today's run

This morning was one of those - woke up determined to run the two rounds of "The Dish" I had planned - no aches and pains, no time excuses, having rested the previous day it was one of those days where both the mind and body were working in synch.. Of course, there have been other similar days and those when the mind wants to do it but the body is groaning. I did enjoy my morning cup of tea as almost always - there is something about the silence of the early morning which I have enjoyed from early childhood and continue to do so - there is a sense of peace. Not having received the newspaper in time to do my Sudoku did throw me off a wee bit because I really enjoy that time of day to do my puzzles and awaken my brain.
Having eaten a slice of toast with butter (for some reason I was really hungry even after my tea) I got ready for the run (I always have my workout clothes ready the night before and have become an expert operator in the dark). Just as I was leaving the house I realised that the sun might be out soon because it didn't look like there was any fog which meant that I would certainly need my running visor - I have this special one - special only because I think so - and it must be filthy and sweaty but I prefer it over all my race freebie hats. The ten minute drive just before 6 a.m. was very uneventful as it normally is and I would much rather keep it that way.
Incidentally, I often get asked what is "The Dish" - basically the dish is a real satellite dish which is part of SLAC (the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center). Stanford has got built a walk/run trail around there - the trail is a 3.6 mile loop (it also has an extension if you choose to do it). I often like to do two rounds of the dish or one round with the extension. Now 3.6 miles doesn't sound a lot at all and doesn't give you the true intensity of the trail - it is like doing interval training - steep hills - both up and down. One could go either way on the trail and do more or less the same number of hills both ways and one has to actually run/walk it to experience the thrill. It is one of my favorite places to go for a run - it is very safe so I don't have to worry even if I am there at 6 right as the gate opens.
I started out feeling good with the slight chill in the air. There were several people on that first hill which I always dread before I get started. By the time I was at the top of the first long uphill stretch, the view was brilliant. The sky was getting ready for the sun to emerge - the bay was resting with the water at low tide and the hills looked like purple silhouettes. In a few minutes I saw the sun, nice and bright, big and orange emerging from beyond the hills. There is something about just seeing the sun emerge like that - makes me feel like I have boundless energy for the day.
Soon thereafter, I came to the foot of what I call my recharge hill. This hill is almost exactly halfway through the loop, is short and steep enough that I get a thrill from running it. That hill seems to give me just the right energy to sprint down the subsequent hills - of course, I might think it is sprinting until I come across one of these young students who are truly sprinting and bring me back down to earth level. Today there were two such young ones who I crossed three or four times because they also did two rounds. One of them I think was on her third when I left. I keep thinking - that is my goal - to be able to truly sprint not just down but also up those hills.
At the end of the first round I was feeling really good but my mind seemed to say - are you stupid to have decided to do two today? Well, I dumped that thought and plodded up the first hill at the start of round#2. By now the sun was way up in the sky and I knew this round had to be hot. I had all these thoughts going on much as I tried to tell myself - focus on your immediate goal - should I have brought water? How silly not to bring some gel, what if.... The stronger part of my mind blew away those thoughts and I plodded on. At the top of that first hill I seemed to gather strength and charged on. At about the time one woman who was superspeed walking seemed to have started running and was almost at the point of overtaking me. At this point I was determined not to let her ahead - I mean there are times when I know that a person is way faster and with my level I will not be able to stop them and then there are times like today when I was just set knowing my limitations. For most of that round I heard footsteps within seconds of me and then stop - she seemed to be using me as her pacer - that felt oh so good - of course, only until I would see of those two students dashing past. The recharge hill kept its name and despite the heat and the intensity of the sun on round#2 it was go, go, go. The downhill at the end felt exhilarating and boy, was I glad I did it.
Not only the run but I would do this again and again just to see the sunrise. Now back to a regular, kid filled day.