There's something about the dark that is simply peaceful. In a city like New York, we look forward to those moments when we can hear a pin drop, which rarely comes. Over time, I have grown accustomed to early morning skies that surround me as I push my body to new limits. So while the city sleeps, I rise for a reason. My dedication to the dark is steadfast and true.

What brings this topic to light? Well, a 5k run test was set for Tuesday morning at 6am in Central Park to test our speed. So I rose at 5:15am, dressed, stretched, hydrated and tip toed around my sleeping husband. Out the door at 5:45, on location at 6pm...but no teammates were in sight. I checked my email and sure enough the run was cancelled at 11pm the night before due to icy conditions on the road. So there I was, alone in the dark, in the park...not something I would often do on my own. (In the winter, I tend to run at 7am or keep my workouts indoors). But I thought, hey now, I'm already here, bundled up, laced with flashing lights...so I guess I'll do this 5k on my own. So I did. And let me tell you, though it was cold, it was one of the most beautiful and peaceful mornings.

I snapped some shots of the city lights poking through the bare trees, the pink colors scattered about the dark midnight skies, and I smiled.

If this isn't the most beautiful sight...

At 7am I was headed home and I didn't know what to do with all this spare time before work! It's very fulfilling accomplishing something beneficial for yourself before you spend the next several hours behind a desk. Sure, it takes dedication that not everyone has. It means I have to be asleep by 10pm to get a decent night's sleep. Some people would rather stay up late and enjoy themselves, and I don't blame them. But when the end of the work day rolls around, I have checked off all of my boxes for the day. The dark skies remind me that I should be proud of myself. One foot in front of the other while a city sleeps, keeps me honest and gives me a gift only I can give to myself everyday.

The point here: go ahead and dedicate yourself to something that brings you joy. Why the heck not, right?

-BForge