I am just back in from an early morning run that surprised me. For no particular reason, I didn’t sleep well last night and nothing had been special about my last few runs. Usually beginning around 5-5:30 a.m., running in the dark is most fun for me. I love the time just before dawn when the world is fresh and full of anticipation.

This morning, the thermometer read 24 degrees with a very light wind as I left the house. It was cold enough that I took time to put a light coating of Vaseline and wool socks on my feet. That is my best tip to those who get cold toes while running.

But this morning was special! If you run long enough, you will have times of feeling less energetic, something similar to dragging along a few pounds of Sakrete tied to the legs. But then there are those wonderful other days, like this morning. I could tell right away that those same legs had extra bounce and energy. It turned out to be the fastest and strongest since returning from my bike ride in August.  But no need to try and bottle the reasons for such a run, they just happen. I often tell my classes that the feeling is similar to running so easily that it’s on someone else’s legs. Today was the day! So keep running and you’ll have those days too.

For the first time in weeks, we don’t have a race this coming weekend. But next week is one of my favorites. The 20th Annual Santa 5K Run for Charity and Fun Run takes place at the Millbridge Ruritan building on Sloan Road, just across from Sloan Park. All proceeds go to Rowan Helping Ministries West.  This is a race for the masses, one that is largely made up of beginning runners and those doing a first 5K. Santa will be on hand, just as he has for most of the previous 19 years. Long sleeved dri-fit Santa themed shirts and the return of Christmas ball awards highlight this true small-town event. All fun runners get a Santa medal. Everybody should leave with a heavy dose of the holiday spirit. Online registration continues at www.sportoften.com and other information is available at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org.

Recently, youth running in our area has taken a giant step forward. Kevin and Ester Marsh coach the YMCA Warriors through both the track and cross country seasons. The whole team took home the AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) District Cross Country Championship on Nov. 14 against teams from Raleigh, Charlotte, Gastonia, Winston-Salem, Harrisburg and the Sandhills. The Warriors team consists of athletes ages 5 to 17.

Five of the boys have been competing as a 9- and 10-year-old team in the United States Association of Track and Field, as well. Eli Julian, Triston Rabon, Connor Price, Jake Swicegood and Grayson Steedley won the N.C .State Championship, a first for any boys’ team locally. The boys all qualified for individual competition at the national meet in Albuquerque, New Mexico, by finishing in the top 15 runners of their age group. They also qualified as a team. Other Warriors who qualified to compete individually were Jonah Evans, Julianna Evans, Summer Blais, Will Blais, Noah Julian, Malaysia Dillard and Hope Julian. Each of these athletes also finished in the top 15 of their age groups. The Albuquerque meet will take place on Dec. 12.

The same age 9- and 10-year-old boys will also compete as a team in Alabama for the national AAU All American Team Championship on Saturday, Dec. 5.

AAU athletes compete in one-year age divisions while USATF covers two-year age groups. Generally, USATF meets are harder and more heavily attended. The Warriors compete often against teams from much bigger cities.

Rebekah Julian, mother of three runners and herself a former state champion, said, “It is great to be able to see these kids able to compete as a team. It just shows how much this county has progressed in its love of running and that the kids are being given the chance at a young age to excel!”

My closing point is to say thanks to the many volunteers who help at all of these competitive events, both locally and on bigger stages. Without volunteers, none of the races happen. After spending many years as a competitive runner and not thinking much about the importance of volunteers, my association with races now is generally in the planning and logistics phase. I usually take part in the timing and results portion, too. All of these things must happen to complete a successful race.

But most importantly, volunteers help out at registration, serving as course monitors and mile split timers, manning water and refreshment tables and much more. One runner told me, “I paid my fee, so I expect the volunteers to be in place.” My response was, “Take your turn as a volunteer, you owe it to the charities, runners and other volunteers.”

I can think of the loudest complainers when things don’t go exactly right on race day. It is not surprising that most of these folks have never volunteered. Don’t be one of these runners. Be a volunteer on occasion and not only will you understand the process better, but you will have a great feeling for being part of something that helped out many others. I, for one, will say thanks for doing it.

Have a wonderful week on the run!

David Freeze is a nationally certified running coach and president of the Salisbury Rowan Runners. Contact him at david.freeze@ctc.net. Learn more at www.Ulearn2run.com