Or, maybe it was the Dr.Pepper

I didn't sleep a wink last night.

Maybe it was the excitement of leaving for Panama City Beach today.

Maybe it was my over-thinking mind.

Or, maybe it was the Dr.Pepper I downed after working the closing shift.

Around 3:30 I decided I wanted to go running. But I couldn't very well go at 3:30 in the morning. I decided 5 was a decent hour.

I stopped counting sheep and started counting minutes until 5.

At 4:45 when I could wait no longer, I rolled my stiff muscles out of bed and stretched my arms wide. My shoulders cracked. I touched my hand to my toes, holding the stretch and relishing in the delicious way my muscles burned.

I donned my running attire and headed out the door. The sky was dark but the air was buzzing. Birds were chirping and preparing for the day. Morning was upon us.

My arrival at the track went as usual; set water bottle down, mentally prepare myself, turn on RunKeeper, and take off.

I turned on a playlist of slow songs and set a steady pace, soaking up my run and enjoying the mornings first peaks of sunlight.

By lap 4, I needed some water. I gulped some down and went onward, my goal to at least hit 2 miles. By lap 5, I was salivating. A lot. My attempt at spitting landed on my thigh instead of the ground.

Saliva on bare thigh cannot, would not, will not stop this girl. Dare I say, beast? Cannot, would not, will not stop this beast.

So I ran on, finishing up and feeling like the true beast that I am.

I plopped down on the concrete, nursed my bottle of water, and turned on this version of To Build a Home. The sun was coming up, the sky was turning blue, and I felt God's presence all around me.

I longed for my Bible in that moment. To hold God's word and hear Him. Because I felt him, very real and very preset.

I really love morning runs now.

Maybe it was the beautiful sunrise.

Maybe it was God's peaceful presence.

Or, maybe it was the Dr.Pepper.

In case you didn't click the link above for 'this version', I have made it simple for you to listen.


If this was the last piece of music I heard before I died, I would slip away peacefully.