Most mornings, I'm a snarling gimme-my-tea slug. I slam the snooze button twelve times and mumble unintelligible expletives at the sun, my family, and anything else that dares cross my path. I get soap in my eyes and forget to straighten the back of my hair, slouching miserably until lunch.

But today woke up before my alarm clock at 6:30am, and my first thought was, "I want to go for a run."

What? Who are you and what did you do with Madeline?

Determined to take advantage of this startling burst of athletic spirit, I hopped into sneakers and sprinted out the door. The spring air was delicious in my lungs, and one mile curved along a rushing river. I grinned at the sky and quickened my pace. I just ran two miles, and I walked the last .5, but it was a start in the right direction - and the right attitude.

Win! I was so hyped that I planned a 4 1/2 mile hike in the Columbia Gorge for next weekend. Maybe I can be fit & trim after all. And maybe even - gasp! - a morning person.