The Early Morning Runner

Camille had always admired the dedication of early morning joggers, the ones who hit the road just as the sun peeked over the horizon. For years, she'd promised herself she'd join them, imagining how good it must feel to start the day strong. But each morning, her alarm would ring, and she'd talk herself into an extra hour of sleep instead.

One evening, after a long, tiring day, Camille took a quiet walk around her neighborhood to clear her head. She noticed a jogger whiz by, headphones in, focused and steady. Watching the runner disappear down the road, Camille felt a spark of determination. She decided, "Tomorrow morning, I’ll try."

That night, she set her shoes by the door, her workout clothes ready on a chair nearby, and her alarm for 5:30 a.m.

The next morning, the alarm buzzed through the dark stillness. Camille almost hit snooze out of habit but caught herself. She slipped into her running clothes, laced up her shoes, and stepped outside. The air was cool, with a slight breeze that rustled the leaves. She took a deep breath and started her warm-up, stretching her legs and shoulders as she geared up for her run.

At first, her legs felt stiff, and her breaths came quick. She considered turning back after a few blocks, but a gentle light was starting to glow in the sky. She told herself, "Just a little more." Gradually, her breathing found a rhythm, and her legs started to feel lighter, carrying her forward almost naturally. Camille began to notice things she'd missed while driving or walking: the smell of fresh-cut grass, the birds singing softly as they woke up, the quiet streets untouched by the day’s rush.

As she ran, Camille felt a shift inside her. Her mind started to clear, and she felt more present with each step, no longer worrying about work, her to-do list, or her next errand. She ran for twenty minutes, then twenty-five, pushing herself until her legs hummed with warmth and her heart beat steadily in her chest. By the time she circled back home, the sun was up, casting a golden light over everything.

After her run, Camille felt more accomplished than she had in weeks. The day stretched ahead, and she felt ready for anything. She promised herself she’d do it again, and this time, she followed through.

Day by day, Camille’s runs became a habit. She started to look forward to them, and they transformed her mornings. Running gave her a fresh perspective, a sense of discipline, and a calm strength that followed her throughout the day. She discovered that the hardest part wasn’t the running itself—it was the decision to start.

And so, each morning, she laced up her shoes, stepped out the door, and reminded herself that every step forward was her own small victory.