Odds & Ends from My Morning Run

I'm currently training for a half marathon in Champaign-Urbana on April 28th. We are home visiting family for Easter this weekend so I had to do my long run in Neoga. I did 11 miles this morning and since Neoga is only about a mile wide, that led to several laps around my hometown. I encountered so many things while I was running - some good, some bad. All in all though, I love this town. Maybe that's why I still find it way easier to get motivated to run in this town than anywhere else in the world.

Here's what I saw:

• Some friendly people pulling next to me in their car to chat and say hello - there really is no way to work out in a small town without someone stopping to talk or offer you a ride.
• A dog that looked a little too big for the small leash tying him to a tree. I was glad he was gone when I came back by. 
• A grandfather and grandson playing pitch and catch in their front yard
• The "No Parkin" sign still hanging up on the "drive through" liquor store wall
• People setting up for the town Easter egg hunt at the park
• My sister and brother-in-law who were out doing their long run too
• A woman smoking in a car with the windows rolled up with two kids in the car
• A family stopped me to get directions to the high school. In this age of technology, there is still a need to ask for directions.
• A baseball game at the high school
• A sign in a yard describing the rate of autism in this country - the number had recently been updated to read 1 in 88
• Lots of friendly people waving as they drove by me
• An endless number of houses that looked warm and welcoming with lots of Easter decor
• Several signs outside of local churches saying "Join us on Easter Sunday"
• Tar bubbles on the surface of sloped rural roads
• Several American Flags flying
• Trains, trains, and more trains - luckily I timed all of them perfectly so I didn't have to wait
• My little girl and hubby and my nephews waiting for me in the front yard when I was DONE! 

3 weeks until race day!