At 4:38 am Abby (the cat) decided it was time to get up. I dragged myself up, proceeded to find the brush and give her a quick grooming (a favorite pastime for her), and then got ready to go to the gym. After making a sandwich and bagging up some chips for lunch, taking a banana, feeding the cat, watering the outdoor plants and giving Abby a little bit of half and half, I left for the gym.

Pulling into the parking lot, I noticed many fewer cars than usual. The fellow who cleans the locker room was standing outside. Then I saw familiar faces waiting around. Susie was sitting on the curb. I got out of the car and asked her how long she'd been waiting....since five, she said. We chatted about how this messes up your day and then I excused myself to go home and take a neighborhood run.

I strolled down to Main Street, then starting running toward Fairmount Park. At the intersection of Ridge Avenue, I went left up the hill. And up the hill some more. I ran down to Roxborough High, went around the school to the track in back. I joined some walkers, a jogger, and a fellow running the bleacher steps and did two laps and then continued home.