This evening, when I got home from work, I was not feeling like going for a run at all. And I didn’t have to go for a run. I could have put it off until tomorrow and called it a rest day. But something made me tweet for encouragement to get me out the door. The responses I got were unexpected but highly motivating.

It was this tweet that really motivated me into going for my run, thankful that I could run at all.

I am really grateful for everyone who tweeted me. It gave me the motivation I needed to get my gear on and get out the door. And I am so glad I did. Because if I hadn’t gone running:

I would have missed hearing one of the big cats at the zoo letting out some mighty roars and growls.

I would have missed seeing some ducks using a flooded part of the path as an impromptu pond.

I would have missed breathing deeply the scent of freshly mown grass.

I would have missed the camaraderie of recognizing other runners in the park as we passed each other twice in one evening.

I would have missed the little kid waving at me from his stoller as I ran past him and his mom.

I would have missed the sound of birdsong.

I would have missed being out in the fresh air  of a cool, spring evening.

I would have missed the chance to appreciate my body and what it can do, what it’s capable of.

I would have missed being reminded not to taking running for granted.

I would have missed being able to say ‘I did it’.

I would have missed running.