It’s 5:20 in the morning and I find myself awakening to the soothing sound of Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds”. I am groggy for a moment until I realize that I am not dreaming anymore, I really do have to get out of bed. I pitter patter with the thought of snoozing, but I know I won’t make it there on time if I do, so I refrain. Besides, the cats are awake and want to play, there is no way I am going to lay back down for “just five minutes.”

Reaching for my glasses on the window seal where I laid them the night before, I can finally see my surroundings. I jump out of bed searching for something to wear; fashion somehow is still a concern to me at this ungodly hour. I reach for the second drawer and select the black pair of shorts; they are comfortable.

I slip on my shorts and search for a shirt to match. Leaning towards the middle drawer I grab my black sports bra. I go to the closet- grab my Nike dry fit running shirt and am ready to go.

To the bathroom, down the hall, I turn on the light. Bending over I throw my hair in a ponytail and pin the stragglers up with bobby pins. Back to the bedroom I grab a pair of socks from the bottom drawer.

Carefully walking as the cats run between my feet; they are awake and in their little pea brains, that means it is time to play! I pet them for a short minute, shut the bedroom light off and make my way to the kitchen.

Reaching to the right cabinet, I grab the light blue glass to fill with water. I open the refrigerator and pour the water.

It is very important to hydrate before the run so I down as much water as I can. My stomach begins to rumble- my eyes focus on the bananas hanging on the banana rack. I pull one down and begin to peel back the exterior.

After one more gulp of water, I make my way to the floor.

Left foot, I place my sock on- then follow with the right. Slip into the shoes and tie them-finish the banana and drink my last sip of water. It is 5:45- I need to go. Stretch for a brief minute as I look for my keys.

I grab my keys turn off all the lights and head for the door. Down the stairs of my apartment complex I make my way to the car. Lock the doors- keys in the ignition put it in reverse. I have 5 minutes to make it to Main St. and all I am thinking is why I am up at this hour when I should be sleeping?
Approaching Main St. I park the car, take my spare key and tie it in my shoe.

Stretch a moment as I wait for Michele- she is always late. Her car screeches around the corner- she places her key under the wheel of her car and we are ready to run. After about five minutes we are awake- the conversations begin about what occurred the night before and perhaps what our plans are for the day. We run our hearts out, we sweat like a whore in church, we push our bodies to the extreme and an hour later we are done. Monday through Friday without a doubt, that is the routine. Saturday is our long days and we prepare ourselves to runfor at least two hours.

Some days are harder than others- some days I dread running and wonder why I do this to my body yet there is something inside of me that presses on. When you run long distances your mind tries to tell your body to stop. It is a constant war you fight to finish each run. Every Saturday I look at it like another test, if I can overcome this run, I can overcome anything. The fulfillment I receive after a run is incredible!

As we cool down we discuss how we will see each other in the morning. We wish each other a good day, get in our cars and drive away. It is monotonous yet new experience every day.

I loved this narrative. It really brought to the exact place described. All I did was just switch some words and added a little of my style to it. It was great! -Amy

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