Alameda ended hot and happy

So I am beginning to really enjoy waking up at 7am on Saturday mornings to run. No really, I am being serious. Especially following this morning. Despite handy navigation, I still got lost driving to the Alameda ferry terminal, but nevertheless, I arrived before start time. I notice as I walk up to the group that it is 7:45am and I was already sweating BEFORE I started running. Anyway, we do our stretching and shout outs, moment of silence, and of course...our team yell/cheer. And then we are off. Lisa, my mentor, stays with me the first half mile or so, encourages me to do 5 today, despite the heat, b/c we will be ramping up soon and I should push for it. (the suggested full marathoner distance today is 3-5) So I commit, and decide to enjoy my run one minute at a time instead of focusing on the opposite side of the island that I am running towards. (my 2.5 turaround point) I start to notice all the locals walking their dogs (and kids) on Sunday morning, I take notice of the smooth water surface in the bay. It was a perfect mirror surface for the dozens of birds swooping inches off the water. Really beautiful. Meanwhile...sweating buckets in the heat. I reach 2.5 and turn around feeling really great. Finished back the last half. I wished the 2nd half of the run wasn't me just running over what I had already done, but oh well. It was beautiful, so no big complaints. I finished with calm breath, relaxed shoulders and only minor chafing. (note to self, I am a 'run in short pants, no shorts' kinda girl) Drank some gatorade and ate some fresh garden fruits provided at the end, and went home. Great day, great run, and I am already looking forward to my next 5miler next weekend.