The skies have parted

The big rain storm has subsided and there is blue all around the atmosphere, great day for a run. I decided to do a real 5K this morning, (actually going on Google maps to draw out the course). I wanted to see where I'm at physically and if I could complete the daunting length without passing out and splatting on the pavement. I have signed up for an official 5K on Feb 20, just a little less than a month away; I really needed to try this out. When I visualized the half-way point and knew where my steps would take me, it was much easier to keep going. In contrast, when I didn’t have a specific goal or course it seemed like I could be going anywhere for no particular reason. I could write so many cheesy, cliché', motivational, life-skill speeches using running as a metaphor. "The longest journey begins with a single step," "Never begin a course until you can imagine the finish line," "Toughness isn't about how far you go, but how many times your hips jiggle in the ambivalent breeze." I made up that last one. The run went really well, and I burned a LOT of calories--by the end my hair was soaked like a cafeteria mop, and smelled like one too. Of course I encountered the snobbish marathon types; two in particular who jumped off the sidewalk and onto the street as if there was not enough room for their pencil-figures and my hippo-hips on the same path, pooh-pooh on you! Oh and I saw these eerie little stone garden statues. They looked like children who stared into the eyes of medusa to be trapped in their hard cages for eternity. At least have happy-looking children in your garden! One little girl was actually pouting against a brick wall with tears chiseled on her face. Sad! Creepy! I prefer the jovial gnomes with bright colored, pointy slippers. As I reached the finish line there was a large cumulus cloud that looked like a fat cheerleader in an excited stance with her pom-pom raised high in praise of my success. I looked away and chuckled and when I reached my front porch the cloud morphed into a big thumbs up, I know you don't believe me; I should have taken a picture. It was a great surprise, like someone looking out for me; knowing that I needed just a little more "At' a girl" for finishing the run. It feels nice to receive good vibes from above, and I hope they keep coming my way.