The stillness of the early morning hours wrapped me like a soft blanket, a stark contrast to the vivid dream that had pulled me from sleep. In that fleeting moment, shadows from a past long gone intertwined with the surreal imagery of my subconscious. I had scarcely begun to shake off the remnants of that dream, laden with feelings I thought had settled years ago, when a voice broke the silence. My toddler needed me, the unmistakable cue of urgency that reminded me of my responsibilities. For a moment, I lived in two worlds, reminded of a person I had once been while paradoxically being thrust into the person I am now. There was no time for thought. Instinct took over.
I sat upright, rushed down the hall, careful to tread lightly, hoping to navigate the delicate balance of caring for my son while keeping my wife undisturbed. Last night, she had supported my need for an evening workout, a commitment I had promised myself to combat the exhaustion that had come to define my days. With muscle memory, I comforted my boy, went through the motions of washing the sheets and getting him snuggled back down.
Her encouragement last night fueled my determination, and now, as I brewed a steaming cup of coffee, I felt a renewed sense of energy coursing through me. The warmth of the mug cradled in my hands contrasted sharply with the chill of the early morning, welcoming me back to the wakeful world.
Again, relying on muscle memory as I drove to the gym, a surprising realization met me: it would not open until 5 a.m. Time had moved with such stealth, and while I had expected to be among the early birds, I found myself nearly alone in the parking lot. The mist hung on my windshield, a soft veil reminding me that dawn was still a distant promise.
As I waited, I sipped my coffee, its warmth a comfort against the brisk air, and I couldn’t help but picture the refreshing plunge into the cold pool that would simulate the shock that awaited me just two months from now in Utah. Excitement fluttered in my chest as I envisioned the race, my legs feeling strong after a fulfilling 3.5-hour run just days before.
With the steam from my drink rising against the mist outside, the possibilities ahead shimmered with a tantalizing glimpse of what lay just over the horizon.