Just 10 minutes...

After foregoing my run y'day morning, I had promised myself last night that no matter what, I was heading out there this morning. During a restless night, I found myself up many times, lamenting the promise I knew I had made for the fast approaching morning. However, once morning arrived, I pulled on my running clothes regardless and headed out the door, telling myself I would only run for 10 minutes. As I opened the door, my hubby caringly asked where I was going and I barked back, "OUTSIDE". He's been married to me long enough to know that a second question asking for a specific route, would be unwise.

I headed across the icy deck, my left knee hurting, my right achilles aching, my shoulders up around my ears. I turned left out of our driveway, reasoning that heading down the hill would be much easier on my aching body, and flipped on my music. Immediately a smile spread across my face as the sun flooded me with warm light. A sunny -10 has got to be my most favourite temperature to run in. As Tears for Fears sang in my ear, my warm up swagger began. My route took me across the river, and I stood on the bridge for a minute reveling in the beauty of it all...the river quiet and glorious. My negative self talk had quickly been replaced by gratitude - I was grateful my legs were able to propel my tired body along, that the sun was shining, and that I lived amongst such gorgeous landscape, and that I had these few minutes of solace before the busy day.

I continued my run and as 10 minutes turned into 20, then 30, my aches and pains forgotten well before the bridge, immersed in my music and the natural surroundings, I recalled something I had recently read - Sound Body, Sound Mind. This morning, that is what I gave to myself and that will guide me through this glorious day!