There's Nothing Like the Sun...

It was absolutely gorgeous here in my part of Ohio today.  After a long, terrible and cold snowy winter, it appears that Spring may be arriving.  Sunny with a chance of warmth.  No snow in sight.

And there is absolutely nothing like the sun...

...to help you get out of bed after too little sleep.

...to help you put those running tights on when you're afraid they won't fit (they fit fine).  To motivate you to lace up those sneakers.  To remind you to put on the Nike tee with the snarky slogan.  To insist that you put your iPod and headphones in your bag.

...to remind you to be thankful for a flexible daycare.  One that takes your sweet darling baby on short-notice when you realize that you won't be able to accomplish everything you need to get done during the day if a baby is in tow.  One that cares for him so well that those little twinges of guilt that you feel when you drop him off completely fade away when he smiles and giggles as soon as he sees his favorite caregiver in the infant room.

...to encourage you to get your actual work done first (apply for job in Cairo!  update military record!  plan for Annual Training in Colorado - only six weeks away!) so that you can go to the trail and pound the pavement.  So you can enjoy the run without worrying about everything else that needs to be done.

...to push all thoughts of worry away when you hit the pavement.  To shed light on all the beauty you typically overlook.  To remind you that (sometimes) you even love Ohio.  To appreciate the trail for it's simplicity and the people you meet along the way.

...to help you find your stride after a difficult start to the run.

...to point out how lucky it is that your husband downloaded all his new music to iTunes on your computer when he was home and you were smart enough to add it to your own iPod.  Music is such a personal experience; listening to his music helps you feel closer to him, even though he's 8,000 miles away in Iraq at that very moment.

...to help you get through the mid-point of your run.  And your surprise when you realize you're pacing faster than you thought.  And it doesn't hurt.  It actually feels good.  So good.  To bring you an appreciation of your body and all that you can accomplish.

...to push you to finish the run, even when you have to climb a hill at the very end of it all.  Because you have to be done in time to get your favorite big kiddos home from school.
 
...to encourage those kiddos to play outside after school.  To teach them that all dreariness, even in Ohio, comes to an end when Spring arrives...