fresh air

I don't know what it is about fresh air and how it can rejuvenate you right away.  I am one of those people who need their outside physical activity and if it's too long without being able to go it really wears on me.  And this weekend we've had the most gorgeous weather so I was able to be outside again.  I really can't think of another winter since we moved up here that was this nice.  I may actually start liking it here if we have more winters like this. :)

I have been trying to get over a cold this week that won't leave me.  At first I would have cold symptoms one day and the next they would be gone, other than feeling wiped out.  But then the cold came to stay with me and it's been about 5 days now.  Never mind that I am trying to get into so-so running state so I can at least run without stopping at the Fargo 1/2 Marathon.  My sister-in-law Jessica signed up for a race first and then Ingrid and I signed up together so now it's official and I HAVE to start running because the race is in May.  I did it kind of to force myself to start running sooner than I would otherwise and also to hopefully get a better result by my second half marathon that I like to run in October.  So far my running has been very up and down.  I'd have a good week and then me or someone else gets sick and so it goes, always interrupted workout time.  On Sunday morning I woke up, still feeling very stuffed up and coughing but I was determined to use this beautiful day and go running in the afternoon.  Well, the afternoon came and I could tell there's no way my body would enjoy running already feeling weak enough but I didn't want to lose such a beautiful day.  And so the only obvious choice was - a long brisk walk.  I haven't done that forever because if I go walking by myself I might as well run. :)  I do love long walks, especially with good friends so we can chat away while we walk but it's not easy to sync our busy schedules and come up with a good time.  So I just run by myself, with my mp3 player instead.  But today I walked instead and I couldn't even use my mp3 player because the batteries went dead but after a little while, I was really enjoying my walk.  It was the perfect temperature, a slight breeze would hit my face and I just enjoyed the fresh air and quiet Sunday streets.  I am so glad I decided to go outside instead of trying to take a nap.  It cleared my head, I got some much needed alone time and it felt great.

It made me think of when I was working in the Cities and I had a dedicated walking buddy and a great friend Marcia who I would walk with every lunch break.  I miss those walking lunch breaks so much, still after 5 1/2 years.  I gave up trying to find that someone to go walking with me here in TRF but maybe some day I will find that person again. :)  It is a bit sad too when we get these beautiful days because in a way it makes me too eager for Spring, but Spring is still 2-3 months away.  But I'm really thankful for the beautiful weather I had today and for the time I got to enjoy some fresh air.  I hope we get many more days like that.