Camp T-Shirt
When I woke up this morning, there wasn’t a speck of sunlight. Alarm, snooze, alarm, coffee. I had a ten-miler on the agenda and my Garmin watch seemed to take as long to wake up as I did. It just wasn’t in the mood to “locate satellites” but luckily I know my route’s mile-markers by heart.
Before turning the light on when my alarm went off at 4:32am, I grabbed a random t-shirt in the dark. (Over six years of running, I have accumulated a lot of t-shirts.) It ended up being a camp shirt from the high school Runner’s Workshop summer camp. Man I miss summer camps! I went to Runner’s Workshop two years in a row, and I wish there was a version for college kids. A week in the mountains with runners from all over SoCal and so many great things to do. We had zip-lining, a sky coaster (free fall from 40ft tree branch – AH!), tie-dying, scavenger hunts, silly games, camp fires, obstacle courses, a belly flop contest, and miles of trail running.
It’s sad to think my years of summer camp are behind me! I sincerely wish my college team had a yearly camp…there’s nothing like five days in a tent to bond us together! ;)
Back to this morning…. 5 miles in, the sun popped up but the weirdly-shaped clouds and pinky glow of the sky along with neat lines of palm trees left me repeating how pretty it was outside. As dreadful as it is to wake up at 4:30, I really don’t think there is a better time to run. By mile 9, I was feelin’ gooood and decided to pick up the tempo (a little credit goes to my ipod which spontaeously played Lil Jon) and logged a 6:20 last mile. Done by 6:13am!
At work today, I counted down til noon when I could leave the office for an hour. As I’ve said before, I’m not a fan of eating out for lunch but 9 hours is a long time to spend in a confined space. I always have a book in my purse so I grabbed my car keys and drove to Starbucks. I was all ready to order my usual (skinny cinnamon dolce latte) but the long line of customers gave me time to read the new colorful menu. Orange-Spiced Iced Coffee. First thought: Ew. Second thought: Why not.
It was fantastic! (Despite the atrocious spelling of my name on the cup. There is no “Mac” before “Kenzie”…get it straight!) Orange and coffee sounds like a combination up there with pickles & ice cream/mustard & chocolate/peanut butter & pineapple. But it was strangely delicious and I want another one. Since the inside seating was taken by men in suits with laptops, I sat outside and knocked out three chapters before heading back to my desk. Ironically, the main character referenced a summer camp as if it were the theme of the day.
On days when I complete all of my mileage in the morning, I just don’t know what to do with myself after work! The extra amount of free time is so new :)
Posted on July 10, 2013, in College, Fitness, Healthy Lifestyle, Life Updates and tagged camp, fitness, health, running, summer. Bookmark the permalink. 4 Comments.
I absolutely loved summer camp when I was little! We used to just play all kinda of games every day, and we go on pretty cool field trips! It’s where I met one of my best friends, and where
I developed some of my first crushes. Summer camp is one of those memories I will never forget!
I love Runners Workshop!!!! I’m going to the one in Idlywild with my team in 2 weeks! I can’t wait! This is going to be my second time going and it was definitely the highlight of my summer last year! Wow! I’m so happy to have discovered your blog! What college do you run for!? I’m going to be a Sophmore next year and I really want to run in college!! :)))) thanks!!
Also, do have any advice to help me pursue my dream of running in college? :)
Wow small world! Idyllwild is the camp I went to both years as well & you are lucky to go with your whole team! :) When I started running freshman year of high school I had ZERO aspiration to move on to collegiate running….that wasn’t until mid-junior year when I really got hooked. But cross country recruiting isn’t like the movies where football scouts are knocking on your door. Don’t be afraid to make the first move and contact the coach of your dream school(s) yourself! I did and it worked out! Their contact info would be on the school’s athletic site, and they are almost ALWAYS more than happy to hear from an interested potential runner…put yourself on their radar early :) HAVE FUN AT CAMP!!!!