100 Raptors!

It's been a good week and the running addiction is quickly growing on me. It's summer time which means that if I miss my 4:30AM run that it's okay, I have until about 6AM to get my run in place.
The summer means lots of changes for me and my running.

Our family was approved for Tucson Community Supported Agriculture, which is a pre-paid veggie program that supports our local farmers. I know that it doesn't seem that great to people who are not fanatical about veggies like I am but at night before I go to bed, my last thought is that Friday I'll get to go and pick up my share!

I have noticed that I feel better when I eat a full meal of organic veggies and some pasta. I usually have lots of energy left in my legs for the final push in.

We will also be starting a weekly run meet up on Wednesdays which will help make many of us more accountable for our week day running.

I have to echo Earl on many of his sentiments as far as attendance goes, last season sometimes it would be a total of 3 of us and on the good days 7. It is so nice to know that 5-11 people are out on the course along with you experience the heat and mileage. I know that I get a lot of credit from the Raptors for the work that I do here but I have to tell you that it's all for you.

I began the Raptors because I knew that I had a hard time working out and that it was nice to know that someone was there at the finish who just experienced what you did. I never thought about the size that it would get. I love the Raptors! I love what they have done for my life and my health and my mind.

I have built lasting relationships with many of the veteran and new Raptors that I couldn't imagine my life without a Saturday run. It's a part of my lifestyle. I was floored one day when one of the Shelby kids woke up on a Saturday and said "It's running day."

It's Running Day. Think about all that has changed within in yourself. On Fridays I know that "I have to run tomorrow." Or that "I have to drink more water today." Or that you are one of the few people who understand that even at 6:30AM the heat is still a factor. Or that you tell people, "Well, in my running group..."

Commitment and Dedication run deep in the Raptors.

Thank you to Earl, Lisa and Jasper who are consistently making me slow down on my planning for our group. Earl often tells me to just get through this one season at a time. Just an FYI: in my mind I have plans for 4-7 years down the road when the Raptor count is up in the 100's. Won't that be a sight? 100 raptors running around Reid Park in white shirts with a Raptor head on it!

In my ideal world I would quit my job and just organize Raptor training. I guess I have to work for Team in Training to pull that off.