Greeting the Dawn

by Heather Myer

Physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. –1 Timothy 4:8

Sound, comfortable sleep was broken by the unceasing cry of three alarm clocks. Groaning, I rolled over and slapped at the various squawking contraptions. I must not be late. Slipping into my shoes, I carelessly tossed my hair up and grabbed a glass of water before leaving my comfortable home. It was only 5:40 in the morning. The sun had not yet graced the horizon and I was preparing for a 7 mile jog through Springfield. Most sane citizens remained asleep in their beds. Fighting the tempting thought, I pulled away in my car towards the Green Way Trails.

Arriving at Sequiota Park, I joined sleepy joggers as they ambled around, trying to their shake heads free of lingering dreams. Three familiar figures waved me over. Sarah, Linden, and Alison greeted me cheerfully as they stretched at a large rock. Murmuring greetings, we fell in with the group of runners and awaited our instructions. Not paying close attention, I tightened my shoe laces and pocketed a power gel. The twists and turns of the course were hard for me to comprehend before a decent cup of coffee. Two months of early morning runs had taught me this. Sarah and Linden would accurately remember the details down to the last tenth of a mile. Alison and I would follow. We gathered with the half marathoners and began our trek.

The sun was now peaking in the sky. The landscape, once cloaked in black and gray, was at last clarified by color. A cool breeze encouraged us up the sloped course. I cherished the wind. It would not last for long. Birds began to sing in the glen. Nature was arising and so were we. The lane was covered by a canopy of trees, marked by ivy, marigolds, queen anne’s lace, morning glories, and bordered by a tall meadow. Mist clung to the tops of sun flowers and the tall grass. Concentrating on the meadow, I daydreamed of climbing through the grassy maze to an adventure of epic proportion. Leaving behind my routine job and daily duties in trade for a new kingdom and a mission. Before I could brandish my sword and clasp on my cloak, Sarah called to me, “Come on, Heather! We’re almost to the water stop!“ My reverie was broken. I concentrated on the task at hand.

We wove through the course as an accordion. The four of us ran side by side when possible, and in single file line when bicyclists or speedier runners threatened our peaceful morning with a collision. My muscles groaned in protest and my breath became rhythmic to match our pace. It would take around three miles before the pain in my side would pass. Sarah and Linden led the way. Alison and I followed. Alison bounded in place beside me with more energy than I could muster, her paced slowed to accommodate mine. We spoke of the Lord’s provision for our families. We shared of how God had revealed himself to us over the previous week. Linden had been blessed by an opportunity to teach English in Germany and was preparing to move. Alison was pursuing medical mission opportunities abroad. Sarah and Linden had recently finished graduate school and were working on thesis projects. Sarah had been blessed by a new position at work, as Assistant to the Elders. Listening to my companions share their hopes and dreams, I praised God for the blessings he had provided. On our long runs, we analyzed the deeper theological meanings of Harry Potter, Bodies’ exhibits, and space monkey polls, and six degrees of separation with Kevin Bacon. We motivated each other with thoughts of cinnamon toast and watermelon soup as rewards. Our feet fell into a rhythm as we shared our hopes, dreams, and blessings with each other.

As the miles wore on, the four of us shouted encouragements at one another and by-passers. “Come on, Linden!” Sarah would cry. “Way to book it, Alison!” Linden called out. “Good morning!” Alison greeted a lady walking her dogs. “Just a little further…just 3 more miles!” I cried, adding to the excitement. Knowing that 4 miles were tucked under the proverbial hydration belt, allowed a certain understanding that the last 3 could easily come in stride.

As the run progressed, our pace slowed and our speech ceased. Talking wasted too much energy. Alison’s bounding was subdued, her energy ebbed by the distance of our run. The sun had risen to its full glory and beat mercilessly upon our brows. The breeze that once welcomed our journey now opposed us and slowed our pace. The very hills that we had sped down earlier now rose against us. My feet dragged, and my muscles protested further movement. “Just one more mile!” Alison chimed. One more mile. What was that when 6 were behind us? Suddenly, we all began speaking encouragements to each other, prodding ourselves forward. The speech that had robbed our energy earlier were now all that kept us going. “Come on ladies!” Half a mile was all that was left. Shouting encouragements over our shoulders, we broke into a full run and sprinted as quickly as we could to the finish line.

Joyful that we had completed our exertion, we served each other water and Gatorade. After, we returned to the stretching rock for a cool down. Our bodies were strengthened by the run and our fellowship was strengthened by our encouragements. Raising my face towards the sun, I silently praised God for providing me with the chance to greet the dawn.