Why in boxer briefs would we give you the route details before 6:00am today? I guess it would put your minds at ease knowing the exact location in which you must turn around or maybe it would have helped you gather your bearings a little bit more.  After being informed of the route maybe you would have mapped it out to make sure that it is exactly 6.0 kilometres.  Yet, for all those reasons and a couple more we gave you all the deets post bounce.  Post that glorious, harmonious bounce where we called for the sun to rise for our Sunrise6k. Mr.Sun didn’t really listen, so new token name is the “Starlight6K”

So here’s what’s refreshing about this morning, we held our first ever Sunrise 6k. This is not to say that citizens of Ottawa don’t run sunrise 6k’s…. Lots of runners and dog walkers out for their morning jaunt. I mean anyone can run, jog, walk, dash or sprint a 6k at sunrise but is it still the same if it’s not with your tribe?  NO. The answer is a hard no. Like a hard boiled egg or a hard head. It’s still no.

After locking your car door this morning you were greeted with faces and smiles that became brighter underneath the city lights.  While approaching the new and improved Centennial Flame you are drawn in by open arms of your fellow tribe members.  After hugging friend after friend, you began to feel the corners of your lips lift and turn naturally into a smile. Then began the countdown and in a mere 5 seconds you had the chance to look over, make eye contact with one person and wish them luck.  At the start line, you left Parliament Hill behind you as you moved along Wellington, down the stairs towards the Rideau Locks.  You passed by the National Arts Centre and began to take in your city but it’s only been a mere 4 minutes.  You found yourself slowing down to take in the beauty of Ottawa at dawn.  The Rideau Canal is calm and you continued to do as you were told and follow that yellow line.  The murmur of someone calling your name gets louder and louder as you approach the turn around mark.  You are now giving out high fives like Oprah’s Christmas giveaway show. Everyone gets one, you did, he did and I’m sure she did. Maybe even the solo runner had a better run because someone from NP cheered them on along the path.  The constant roar of members hooting and hollering for each other to push themselves is now a familiar sound to hear. This is but of course the Sunrise 6k.  Your final stretch you found yourself gliding along the canal, maybe there was no Herbal Essences moment, but you are a powerful, strong force to be reckoned with.  Making your way up the too familiar stairs, back onto Wellington you made your final push to Parliament Hill.  Your hands are braced on your quads as your breath is heavy, you can see the steam come off your own body but find yourself bringing your hands together to clap and cheer as others make their way in.  You move back onto Wellington to encourage and cheer.  People that are now waiting for the city bus are staring and wishing they too could have a personal cheerleader like you.  As our final members bring it in, there is excitement and a contagious vibe of accomplishment that is sprinkled upon us all.  We just wrapped up our first ever Sunrise 6k and we set the bar fucking high.  Times were set, people showed up extra early and Wednesday just became our new but always- favourite day of this week again.

Congrats to our first place finishers Caroline and Stephen who took home some sweet glasses. And congrats to all those who showed up, who ran their first 6K! Who ran their fastest 6K, who ran the farthest they have run in a while, who ran more than they walked, who cheered on a tribe member, who brought their best this morning. It’s so cool to see people accomplishing goals and reaching something they didn’t think they good.

So, running a sunrise 6k alone is different and yes you can do it. But running a Sunrise 6k with your tribe is something that only happens here on Wednesdays.  Sprinkle that magic dust of happiness mixed with hugs, high fives and some super wicked people like yourself and that is why this shit is good. Too good. Spread that magic to each of your worlds today.

Here’s to bringing soles together,

Liz and Lauren

ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. THIS SATURDAY Dec.9 is #NPgivesback and #NPgivesblood – group blood donation. 9:00AM at Canadian Blood Services Join the crew for any or all of the following:

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