This week’s schedule:
-
3:00AM – The final long run of the Miami marathon crew is starting. I’m expecting Leo and Natalia, Linda, Lynn and Roxanne will be starting at that time. I’ll (Jeff) am planning on joining them for early run support.
-
6:00AM – Come out and support the long runners on the last leg of their run.
2008 is nearly gone - as I write I’m on the plane back from New Orleans on New Year’s Eve, 2008. Many things immediately come to mind:
-
My employer has no sense of humor – come on - it’s New Year’s Eve.
-
I’m damn sure I’m using those drink coupons – no wait – the flight attendant just comp’ed me! Excellent.
-
I can’t wait to get home and enjoy my traditional Cuban food fest with my favorite neighbors.
But mostly:
I was able to reflect on this during this morning’s 11 mile run around the lakes near LSU this morning.
Perfect 55 degree temperature – started early and finished as the sun came up over the lakes. What a great run to finish up the year with. I was awake enough to pull out the cell phone and snap photos to go along with this post.
11 miles also gave me some time to recall and appreciate some of my favorite runs this year. I wanted to share some of them with you:
Spring Running in Houston’s Memorial Park: April was first month working a new project there, I discovered Memorial Park during awesome weather. That would give way to nasty summer heat – but I always enjoyed the park.
The Oklahoma City Marathon: Inspiring Spring marathon, beautifully run in a city I’d never visited before. It was an awesome experience I can highly recommend.
Long runs around Town Lake (now Lady Byrd Lake) Park in Austin, TX: In September - a long run that I finished up by running through our company-sponsored 5K and then attending a great concert with the White Ghost Shivers – all before 10:00AM! In December - long runs on two successive days – both under 40 degrees in bright Texas sunshine. Priceless.
St. George Marathon, Utah – Unexpected rain, but a great experience with old and new friends along. Great scenery and a PR to boot. Sweet!
Baton Rouge, LA – Not so excited to get another away work assignment, but the discovery of the loops at LSU made it more palatable. This morning’s run sealed the deal – I like the route.
Every Saturday: As great as those runs were, none were better than any given Saturday in Temple Terrace. Knowing that our group was waiting got me through some tough work weeks this year.
THANK YOU for getting up early for long runs, encouraging on challenging days, celebrating good days, commiserating during injuries, telling the world’s longest stories, chasing all the customers out of Einstein’s, and simply being great friends. At the risk of igniting a spontaneous group hug, please know that how much I appreciate running with all of you.
Special thanks to Natalia for being a great co-leader for the 5:1 group and to Iris and Linda for taking on the leadership role in the Tampa Galloway Group. Thanks Hydration Team, all the other group’s leaders, Dean and Sooz for the holiday party and any other efforts I’ve forgotten. All are appreciated.
Happy New Year and all the best in 2009!