So here I am, at 6 am, writing my blog AFTER running. Yes, I was up at 4:30 and out the door to meet up with another runner at 5 am. You know, 17 years ago when I got out of the Navy, I promised myself I wasn’t going to get up at times that sounded like “four” any more.. I suppose 17 years was a good run. 😉
I have written on here before, as well as on the OAFR Facebook page, that I really needed to get to know the local running group. (OK, I admit it – I said the same thing about the group up in NY and never did that either.) Well this morning was my first step toward changing that. Someone else laid the ground work for me. I have been a Facebook-stalker of the local running groups, watching the Annapolis Striders page, as well as the “Naptown Running Buddies” – but I admit to being a wee bit intimidated about joining the group. (Plus in the pictures, they all look like runners.. They don’t have that “bit extra” that I am carrying around..) Apparently, a woman just moved to Crofton, and posted looking to find out more about runners in the area – and with that, I found out about a group that meets in the early mornings in Crofton to go running (well, they do so in warm weather.) To make a long story short – I met up with one of the other runners (who apparently also blogs, I will have to find out her blog name and let you all know!) and did the “Crofton Loop.”
We did it at a nice 10:30ish pace, which worked really well as a recovery run for me. My knees appreciated the slower pace – as they were feeling a bit used and abused from yesterday’s six miles.
So, now that I have met ONE strider, maybe I’ll make it to some of the other strider events, step out of my shell and step up and meet new people.
Huh.. Run, Blogged… and the sun isn’t up yet. Seems unnatural.
I run, because I am a runner. Having realized that I have always "been a runner" - even when I went years with out running, I am learning how it has integrated itself in all aspects of my life. When I started running in highschool, my perspective on life changed. Funny that I didn't realize how much it had affected it until just recently.
Once and Future Runner 
Having a community of like-minded people around you can make it so much more fun: good call!