I’m awake before the alarm 

The task ahead is a lovely charm 

I hydrate 

Eat some eggs or overnight oats (depending on the distance) 

I caffeinate 

By 5:30 am I’m on the interstate 

Yeah, it takes years of persistence 

But I started in high school 

Cross country for conditioning in basketball was the rule 

We had purple uniforms 

I remember feeling naked at the start line 

I wasn’t the fastest 

By senior year, had shaved four minutes off my 5k time

I tapped the nail a little through the years 

But in my 30s changed gears 

I was like Forrest Gump and one morning on a rainy February, I just felt like runnin’

I didn’t care that my look on the main road was unbecomin’

Didn’t know where I was goin’

But I ran 6 miles 

The following week, a little longer 

It kept goin’

What do you know, I got faster and faster 

I’ve shaved minutes off over the years 

Racing 5ks feels like eating cake batter 

Now I embrace half mile repeats 

I’ve got 9 half marathons under my seat 

10ks tug at my heart in a special way 

Everything is about nutrition 

Sleep

As the saying goes, train, then repeat

I know a little about meteorology 

I’m outside a lot

Running over bridges and through fields 

On sidewalks and wherever traffic yields 

Garmin, Brooks, Nike – they just don’t recognize me – yet (other than by my purchase history)

I’m also a part-time podiatrist: Ask me anything about foot ailments

Corns and calluses 

Bruised toenails, plantar fasciitis 

Achilles tendonitis

I know all the port a jons in the city 

Remember, I’m highly caffeinated 

Sometimes it hits me 

I don’t mind starting my day so early 

It doesn’t matter if my hair goes curly

I’ll be in my corral 

Wave along the way to a pal

In my best running attire 

I’ll run my heart out 

Till I expire 

To love what you do!

Can I get paid for this? I wonder 

If only I were fast enough!

If only I were a professional runner