Monday, April 10, 2006

Springing into Action

Today I ran down to the Lincoln Memorial and back. I'm guessing it was in the vicinity of a 10 mile run. It felt really good and it was a beautiful morning to be out and about in DC. I think spring has FINALLY, fully arrived.

Spring is the best time of year in DC. Hands down, the best. The weather is amazing - sunny but not hot and everything is in bloom. The cherry blossoms run their brief course and all of the trees are blossoming. I could smell the honeysuckle and other spring fragrances along my route. Just a glorious morning.

The National Mall was abuzz with student groups and tourists . . . and there were groups I believe rallying for immigration rights there, too, as well as a movie being shot! Yes, it seems when the weather improves, the city becomes more alive and exciting. Everybody is springing into action.

Even I was participating in my own small way. Running along the Mall path I joined other runners and walkers. In this weather, you see a lot more than your ususal die-hard runners outside and it's kind of nice. Spring brings with it promise and hope - promise of even warmer, sunnier days and time to play outside and the hope that new beginnings can create.

When I got home, I joined the kitty and dogs out back in the garden. My tulips are stunningly beautiful right now and it was so lovely to stretch in the sun and enjoy all the color around me. The kitty loves playing among the flowers and stalking the flies and bees. The dogs just enjoy sunning themselves. After stretching I sipped my green tea . . . I've given up coffee (another blog about THAT down the road) . . . and enjoyed my breakfast of yogurt and buckwheat pancakes (leftover from yesterday) with peanut butter and banana. Being able to spend the mornings in the garden now makes getting up less of a hardship. Not that I'm jumping out of bed with a smile on my face, mind you, but it is easier to run and I am happy to enjoy the sunshine and the flowers in my cool down.

And as the 1/2 marathon approaches, I have hope that the season will inspire me to spring into action more often!