Last Saturday I went for a run, OUTSIDE! It was my first outdoor run of the season. I took my regular three mile loop. For those of you who live in climates where you can garden and run outside year round, like my little brother, let me tell you this is an almost indescribable joy. It happens one day. You wake up and, for some reason, the temperature is steady (mid to late fifties or early sixties), the wind is low, and the last remnants of dirty grey ice have melted away. You think to yourself, could this finally be the day? The first day of the year I finally get to do some real road work! Then you go to the closet to get ready. You don’t really know exactly what you will need to make sure you will not be too cold. I opted for long light yoga pants, a light tee, a light sweat shirt, and a sweat band that doubles as an ear warmer. I then laced up my Brooks and with elated German Sheppard Dog in tow; I exited winter and hit the road.
In the dead of winter while jogging on a treadmill in a partially unfinished basement, staring at bare studs and a pile of dirty laundry, you begin to question the existence of a higher power. But then all of a sudden one day, it is officially spring time. I noticed everything on that run. The soccer field was still brown but there were green blades scattered throughout. The garden on the corner of Old Butte and Honeysuckle has not been planted yet but I am sure to see the green sprouts of squash and corn within a couple of months. The dog gauntlet (Honeysuckle Rd.) is beginning to show signs of spring. Homeowners were pruning their trees and raking up last year’s decaying leaves, revealing their auburn grass to let the sunshine in. There were, of course, the barking Brittany’s, Pointers, and Golden Retrievers held back by invisible electricity. Charley (my German Sheppard Dog) remembered it all too. We arrived back at home, sweatshirt tied around my waist and ear warmer wrapped around my wrist. We’re back, and thrilled to be back!