The Narrator tried to get me to run with him after we first got married. He tried again a few years later while we both worked at the University. I should have listened. But no, I waited until we have two kids and schedules are complicated to decide to run.
When I started running a year ago, The Narrator would run with me occasionally to help me get to my next mile goals. He’s a chipper runner, all energetic and upbeat, the endorphins giving him a Batman Jokeresque smile. He seemed like the Joker, and the joke was on me, and my legs, and my lungs. I huffed and puffed to keep up, knowing even when I did keep up, he was still keeping a slower pace on my account.
A year of consistent running and I’m a much stronger runner. I’m still not fast, and probably never will be, but I have endurance. Lots of endurance. My parents were visiting this past weekend, and I needed to get in a run to keep up with my marathon training schedule. Since my parents were here, the Narrator threw on his Five Fingers, and we had the rare chance to run together. It was so different from a year ago. I knew that while my pace was still slower than his, it was only slightly slower, and I was able to carry on a conversation rather than constantly gasping for air. We ran a route I’d never run by myself. We headed out of our hood and through our new little town dodging shoppers catching an evening deal. Our path ran along the river, the evening breeze cooling us, and the fireflies flitting along beside us. The sun gradually set taking the humidity with it. We continued our seven mile trekk, sharing a love of running, a love of being in touch with our bodies – even the aching knee (his, not mine), and a love of just being together. We chatted about our kids, our lives, our running strategies, and just how content and blessed we feel at this point in our lives.
We rounded the corner towards home and I started to sprint. So different from a year ago. So many things are so very different. So very good. So very blessed. Like the year of running and developing endurance, that’s how our lives together have been for the past few years, building endurance and patience and all those hard character qualities that can only be built over time and through conscious effort.
It was a beautiful night for a run with the one I love.
#2 Million Dollar Moments.
Wonderful…thank you for sharing!
Should have started running in FL! With you too!
I had a moment like this with Vicki last night on the Musketawa trail. I was riding alongside her, both of us pedaling our trikes along nearing the end of a 6 mile ride, and I realized how blessed I am. To be riding the trail next to my wife, over 90 lbs lighter since the surgery, looking forward to so many more million dollar moments – God’s blessings are huge, eh? 😀
Cal, I am so so happy for you. What a wonderful moment that was for you, with so many more to come I am sure!! God’s blessings are amazing!