Off and Running
4:23AM Night Shift #2
We are driving in the dim dawn light outside Berlin. The sun will rise by 5. I’m trying to keep both myself and our British driver, 19 year old Kayleigh, awake. Luckily, we’re almost to the hotel.
14 days into the trip, and tonight was my first run in the rain. Outside the gleaming van headlights, which follow several yards behind to mark the way, I couldn’t see much except for reflectors indicating the flat stretch of roadway ahead. Usually, I don’t run with music, but tonight some tunes helped quell the monotony and slow my pace. In the darkness, time and space seem to collapse and lead me to set a faster pace than usual. Maybe I should pick up night racing when I get back. For now, I’m not concerned with speed, but rather focused on setting a smart pace to see me through 700+ miles I will log in by August’s end.
Fellow Yellow German teammate Heiko is still kidnapped (somewhere in Berlin doing press events) so tonight the Dutchman, the Scotsman and I each did 12 miles. Team Blue is carrying out the remaining 4 to keep the relay moving on track. While none of us on team Yellow are eager for more miles (just yet anyway), we’re happy to chip in to tackle an extra leg when needed. This summer, as BPR logistics Chief Dill said, running is a team sport.
- Laurel Dudley
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