Thoughts on a Perfect Morning Run...

This morning was a perfect "feeling springy" morning around here. Those of you in the South will laugh, but it was 40 before 9 a.m. and for Michigan, that is straight up BALMY on March 10th! So I headed out for a much anticipated run around the lake. I say this, because with my treadmill in the garage because of the basement, and the weather having been so crappy lately, my old pal Billy Blanks (Taebo dude) was REALLY getting old and it's just not the same. So my iPod was jamming and I was feeling great.
I was laughing to myself thinking, "Since when does a 5 mile run sound so luxurious to you?" My how things have changed since a year ago...when I was one week from giving birth, walking around dialated to 4 centimeters and 80% effaced, bracing myself for labor at any moment. Oh, and also weighing about 38 pounds more than I am now. And had never really run more than 2 miles in a row EVER.
It felt very freeing today to have worked myself up to running the entire lake, hills and all, and not feeling like it was too tough. MAN does that iPod inspire you to go faster and it really does make time fly. What a genius invention (by the way, I am taking recommendations on good workout playlist songs, please)!
I heard songs that reminded me of my crazy single days in Chicago and then of my "dual income, no kids, carefree" time in Denver. Isn't it funny how a song can take you to a certain time in your life and you can almost "feel" that space and time immediately? It was fun to hear songs that reminded me of those times without kids. I could almost pretend I was that person again, just running and running, free from any responsibility.
And then, I looked at my watch and realized I was almost home. And a part of me got a wave of excitement in my stomach, because I hadn't seen Lucy yet and I couldn't wait to say "Good morning!" to her and give her a hug. When I get home from places, her usual routine is to come running to me smiling and yelling, "Mommy! You're home! You're home!" and it's pretty much the greatest welcome you can get.
I think that maybe what I was feeling this morning was gratitude. Or maybe just the endorphins running through me or the sun getting to me since I haven't seen it in ages. Regardless, it felt like the perfect morning run and I am DARN EXCITED for spring!