Do You Smell That?

So Sundays are my day to run for a long(er) distance, according to my training program. I try to do them outside because I won't be running a half marathon on the treadmill for goodness sakes! 

However, I have entertained the idea of getting Season 1 of Heroes on DVD, putting it in and seeing how far I can run without dying. 

Today was 5 miles. And I did it. And I had some time to think about some things. And to smell some things. And to jump over some pretty disgusting road hazards.

The sun was shining and no chill left in the air. It was a nice day to be outdoors. While there were some really nice woodsy smells, there were mostly some pretty funky ones. At one point in the run, the overwhelming scent of Windex overtook my olfactory cells. I guess that's good? I don't know. 

I have longed to live in a country where I can be proud of our roadsides. I know pride's a sin, but there's just something nice about not having to dodge banana peels, roadkill, condoms (let's just say, NOT IN THE PROTECTIVE WRAPPING), newspapers so soaked with rain that they have ceased looking like newspapers causing me to jump over them thinking they were dead fish--large ones, plastic bottles of-my favorite-FANTA, Cool Whip containers, and other various refuse. 

When I drive along our interstates, I just want to get out and tidy up. Today while I was running, I just wanted to run away from the mess. I guess it's easier to bemoan a problem from your car, but when I was face-to-face with the grossness, I just wanted to get away. I didn't want to pick it up. 

I don't know where I'm going with this, but I know that I will be sure to teach my kids to NEVER, EVER throw something on the ground and wait for someone else to pick it up.