Six o’clock in the morning comes fast, but when you are trying to beat the summer heat you must rise before the sun.  The view from my bedroom window was blacker than black. It may as well have been midnight.  I carefully walked from my bed to the bathroom to wash up.  When I flicked the switch the light hit me like a frying pan that was flung at my face.  My pupils dilated but they never quite adjusted.  After dressing, I shut off the light and proceeded down the stair case using the rail as my guide because it was too dark to see what was in front of me.  

As I got closer to the dynamic duo, I noticed a dazzling red streak extending from the woman’s wrist.Quickly I realized that it was a leash. Not only was I racing against two other runners but the family dog has entered the fray as well.

As a young child I always feared the darkness.  My mother had to put a night light in my bedroom to help me fall asleep.  Darkness represents uncertainty.  It’s like peering into an abyss with no bottom.  The deeper you stare the less you are able to see. The darkness remained until I reached the light switch at the bottom of the staircase. The closer I look the more I realize that it is in the darkness that I will find the light.

Satchel Paige once said, “Don’t look back, something might be gaining on you.”  This metaphor has often been adopted by long distance runners as a motivational technique.  However, motivation was not needed on a very special run on a hot summer’s day during my adolescent years.  Most of the time my morning runs were really just slow jogs.  People often ask, what is the difference between running and jogging?  My response is that a jogger is attempting to cover a certain distance while a runner is trying to complete a specific distance within a precise time.  On this day I was most definitely a runner. 

It was one of those rare days when everything felt just right.  As I prepared for my 10 mile run, I could tell by the limber and light feelings in my legs and feet that this was going to be my day.  It was early in the morning, around 7 A.M., yet I was not feeling sleepy from my 6 o’clock wake up.  On the contrary, I don’t recall a morning when I felt so energetic.

The weather forecast for this particular August day, called for 95 degree heat with high humidity.  As I began my stretching routine I visualized the course that I would be running.  I would be running on an asphalt trail in a local park.  It would contain mixture of hills, curves, and straight ways.  My goal  was to complete a distance of 10 miles in less than 80 minutes. 

The park is a pleasant place to run.  In the summer, the trees become overgrown and the pathways turn into gorgeous tunnels with shade that protects you from the blistering rays of the sun.   I would be running 5 miles east, then turning around and reversing my course for the remaining 5 western miles.  One caveat to this course is that there are a few drinking fountains along the way.  I would be able to re-hydrate at the drinking fountain located at the 5 mile point.

The park, void of car pollution and noise, offers an ideal venue for a distance run.  Early summer mornings can present a peaceful but eerie feeling.  On this particular day, a gray mist rose from the creek that ran along the banks of the trail. The morning dew highlighted spider webs that were spun for the previous night’s catch.  The setting reminded me of a scene from a Universal Studios horror film where Lon Chaney Jr. emerges from the mist to claim its next victim.

I began my run with a rapid pace which was unusual for me.  Normally it would take me ˝ mile to warm up, even on a hot day.  But today was my day and slow warm ups were not needed.  Two miles into my run and I was dashing like the wind.  My strides were long and my breathing was controlled.  Had I had a running partner, we could have conversed while I maintained my swift pace.  However, this early in the morning it would just be me alone in the park, with the exception of a herd of deer grazing in the grass fields next to the trail.

There is nothing quite like the loneliness of the long distance runner.  He is able to send his mind to another place for the duration of his run.  He is oblivious to the pain in his legs and the sweat dripping from his the sides of his temple that present his lips with a moist salty taste.  Physical pain may be substituted by thoughts of a new household project, or the theme of a favorite musical tune.  At this time one’s mind is totally clear and able to concentrate.  He is alone with his thoughts.  He remains focused on the task at hand, only being distracted by the friendly wave of a runner approaching in the opposite direction.

Suddenly the quietness of the park was replaced by the ground trembling as a roaring sound emerged from above.  An approaching thunderstorm was unlikely.  I had checked the weather forecast before leaving the house and storms were not predicted until later in the evening.  I examined the skies; they were clear.  However, high above was an enormous ninety-foot arched concrete railroad bridge that was supporting twin royal blue Conrail diesel engines.  They were pulling an endless line of yellow boxcars displaying the Tropicana yellow Juice slogan on the side.  This was indeed an awe-inspiring sight. 

As I approached the 5 mile mark I could see the ever coveted drinking fountain.  It was time to re-hydrate.  Years ago, water breaks during training were a sign of weakness but that is no longer the case. Athletes are encouraged to take as much water as needed while training.  My motto is drink early and often.  Once you begin to feel thirsty it is already too late.    

A group of bikers were starting to gather in the nearby parking lot.  Generally, bikers are not a problem for runners.  They usually keep to the side of the path and give runners a verbal signal when they are approaching.  It’s the recreational biker that can be trouble. They are more likely to be naďve of the unwritten rules of the park.  It’s not uncommon for these types to cruise in the left lane and become a potential threat to oncoming runners.   This time of the day it would be unlikely to have such an encounter.  Any runner or biker willing to sacrifice sleep for a morning of intense training usually had the courtesy to respect their fellow athletes.  Horse riders are another story.  There are bridle paths throughout the park for horse riding.  On occasion, someone riding horse-back will stray onto the bike path.  You can always tell when a horse has been on the bike path; they always leave their mark. 

The first 5 miles of my morning run was uneventful.  This was about to change. The morning dew had evaporated and it was transforming into a bright sunny day, albeit a hot one.  A short distance ahead of me I spotted two runners running side by side.  One was a woman, the other a man.  They were easy to see as both wore bright neon yellow shirts and black shorts.   I wondered where they stored the battery to illuminate their clothing. This was just what I yearned for – competition. 

It’s not unusual for runners to wear bright clothing.  Today’s runners often sport brightly colored running shoes.  Sometimes the right and left shoes are completely different colors.  But this was the late 70’s and for the most part running attire was still primarily conservative.  I was dressed in a white tank top with navy blue nylon shorts and a pair of gray running shoes with white tube socks.  I thought it odd that my new found competitors would draw so much attention to themselves.  From the distance I noticed dark black letters printed on the back of the woman’s shirt.  She arrogantly was advertising her name.  Runners who are participating in a road race merely display their number on the front of their chest.  I had never seen anyone advertise their name on a training run in the park.  They were either two very accomplished runners or a couple that possessed very large egos.   This only fueled my motivation to overtake them before I finished my run.

Since I had not crossed their paths on my run out, one need not be Sherlock Holmes to deduct that they had just began their run and would have fresh legs.  This was of little concern to me.  Today was my day and I looked forward to pursuing my new found competitors.

As I exited the drinking fountain I quickened my pace and began thinking of a plan.  The most demoralizing moment for a runner is when he is overtaken without warning.  I would use the element of surprise by maintaining my pace and keeping enough distance between us so that I would not be noticed.  From previous runs I recalled that three miles ahead was the steepest hill in the park.  This is where I would make my move.  I would begin to close in on my rivals as we approached the hill, knowing that the steepness of the rise would drain them of the energy they would need to react after they had been smoked.  My biggest obstacle would be in making the pass .  Because the two continued to run side by side there would be little room on the path for passing.  But this was my day and if need be I would deviate off of the asphalt path and into the wooded area to accomplish my goal.

As I got closer to the dynamic duo, I noticed a dazzling red streak extending from the woman’s wrist.  Quickly I realized that it was a leash.  Not only was I racing against two other runners but the family dog has entered the fray as well.  This could present a problem for my approach.  As I gain closer to the two, “Fido” is likely to warn them of my approach, totally eliminating the element of surprise.

Many people are using their dogs as running partners these days.  I have even seen a few bikers do the same.  While exercise is beneficial to both humans and animals alike, discretion should be used.   Humans know their limits.  Even the most competitive of us know when to stop.  This is not always the case for “man’s best friend.”  Your faithful companion may continue running long past his limits.  Many dogs are so loyal to their masters that they will not stop regardless of their physical pain.  This could prove to be fatal.

Up ahead I could see a rustling in the brush.  I concluded that this must be Fido coming out to greet me and warn his masters of my clandestine presence.  On the contrary, I could not have been more wrong.  No more than 5 feet in front of me emerged 3 wild turkeys with their mouths opened and heads pointed towards the sky. If it had been raining the birds would have drowned (Holy Happy Thanksgiving Batman!). I had to come to a complete halt to avoid a collision with these turkeys that was sure to put an end to my running excursions.

I was now gaining on my two Halloween outfitted adversaries.  Still there was no sign of Fido.  Shortly we would be approaching the hill where I would implement my plan to overtake them. At this point I was 7 miles into my run and the heat was starting to take its toll.  Despite my recent water break I was beginning to feel thirsty.  The next drinking fountain was over a mile away and if I stopped I would lose valuable time.  I was also facing a runner’s worse enemy – lactic acid build up.  I could feel it building in my legs.  The body produces lactic acid whenever it breaks down carbohydrates for energy. This is nature’s way of helping you to survive stressful situations, but it has a dark side.  The hydrogen ion is the acid in lactic acid.  It slows energy reactions and impairs muscle contractions.  This can slow a runner down.  I knew if I could work through it my body would adapt and I would get my “second wind” and still be able to finish strong. 

My plan was working.  As we approached the hill I was only a few paces behind the two and still was not detected.  From past experience I knew that short choppy steps were the most efficient way to climb the hill.  No longer did my legs hurt nor was my mouth dry.  I was in a zone.    As the two runners reached the top they slowed a bit.  I took advantage of their lapse to increase my speed preparing to overtake the two.  It was then that noticed something peculiar about the red leash.  I now realized that the dog that I was so concerned of did not exist.  From behind the two I could now see that the leash extended from the women’s wrist to the man’s waist.  As I burst down the hill I saw an opening to the left of the women that would provide me enough room to make the pass.  I rapidly shifted my course to the left.  I could see the women’s name.  It simply read “GUIDE”.  As I sped past the two I noticed the man’s face from the corner of my eyes.  He was wearing dark glasses.  When I reached the bottom of the hill I increased my speed knowing that as I rounded the next curve I would be out of their sight just as I had planned.  Of course my strategy no longer relevent.

As I sprinted towards the finish, I closed my eyes.  I was now in the dark.  At first I was able to maintain my tempo.  Then I experienced a peculiar feeling at the base of my stomach.  It was as if I was in an elevator just as it began descending to the bottom floor of a large building.  My pace began to slow as I felt a slight breeze to my left.  I became unsure of my footing even though I knew that I was running on a straight and level path.  I resisted yielding to temptation and did not open my eyes.  Suddenly I felt a stringy silky felling pass over my face.  Perhaps I had just gone under the overhanging limbs of a tree or maybe I just ran through a spider web.  I thought I felt something crawling on my back.  Enough! I could take it no longer.   I opened my eyes.  I could see the finish up ahead.   The darkness had ended – the light is nothing to fear.