By Contributing Author, Running Girl of Kay Nou=Our House
Edgar a secas, found on Flickr
I became an avid runner 7 years ago. I ran a bit in college to stay fit, but I got serious soon after my mother died. My husband, The Major, called it my grief counseling. He is probably right.
Running has seen me through a lot of ups and downs. I spent a great deal of time contemplating international adoption while out on the road. I spent nearly 2 years waiting for that adoption to come through as I added up my mileage. I have met fellow runners from around the world and have run both training runs and races with them.
I have tried to convert my own family to become runners, like me. At one point, I convinced the family to run a 5K a month. I thought it would be neat to research the various charities that races support. I thought it would be educational as we all stayed fit together.
That dream lasted exactly four months. Our daughter, The Fashionista, enjoyed it the most. She didn’t love it, but she enjoyed it. She went on to run Cross Country when she entered middle school. She has since abandoned the sport, but I hope not forever. Our oldest son, Subway Dude, was never enthusiastic or even really a willing to participate. I’ll admit that I made the monthly 5K races non-optional events. SD was not amused.
I suppose this would be the time for me to apologize for trying to engage the kids in “forced fun”. Instead I like to think that one day they will thank me for these experiences. You know how people in love do foolish things? I like to imagine they will one day meet someone they would like to impress. They will call me up and say, “Oh my gosh, Mom, you will never guess what I am signed up to do this weekend. A 5K race!” They will remember that they have run this distance before and survived. Perhaps someone else can convince them to stick with it.
In the meantime, The Fashionista will occasionally agree to join me for a jaunt. She and I especially enjoy December evening runs together. We run through the dark neighborhood streets admiring Christmas decorations. Our favorites are the “twirly trees” of lights.
The Major, like me, had a father who was a runner. His dad was a marathoner back in the 1970s. My dad stuck to much shorter distances and never ran a race. The Major ran Cross Country in high school and as a teenager did some longer distances. These days, The Major sticks to intervals on the treadmill in order to stay fit for summer cycling and winter skiing.
Our latest addition, Island Boy, is 6 years old now. He is generally supportive of my running. When my long run rolls around each week, The Major is likely to say, “Are you sure you want to go out? Wouldn’t you rather stay home with us?” He is half kidding. Meanwhile, Island Boy will pipe up, “Mama, you go running!” He knows the happiest Mama is one who has gotten her run in for the day.
Recently, I found myself at home after a long day, without anyone available to keep on eye on IB while I got my afternoon run in. I tried to convince IB that he should ride his bike with me while I ran. He put on his negotiation cap and offered to ride his scooter instead. I knew this would be a disaster. I countered again with, “How about your bike?” He considered this and said, “How about I run with you?”
I decided to let him give it a try. I’ve read countless articles about families running together. Sometimes they are meandering outings. Lots of stops to check out bugs and flowers and the like. I figured that even a short run would be a run. I would be patient and allow him to dictate the event. We set off.
I talked to him about running slower than you thought you should. That would help us to make it the 1/2 mile around the block. He made it! Then, to my surprise, he asked to stop for some water at home and then to go a bit further.
We ran on a different street. When we came to houses where children were out playing, IB wanted to walk. He didn’t want anyone to see him running, despite my reassurances that the kids would think he was cool. I would ask him if he knew the kids in question. He said no. Then as we went by the kids would call out, “Hey, Island Boy!” This happened every time. I’m not kidding. Typical IB. Clueless about his rock star status around the school. He’s one cool dude.
Like his sister, we enjoyed looking at the decorations on the houses, only these were up for Halloween. We had such a great time. He was able to run 2 miles and then walked a 3rd. It was slow. We took liberal walk breaks. He definitely needs real running shoes, but he did it.
We went 3.1 miles. He is 6. He has been asking to go again. Tonight I came home with a new pair of running shoes for me. He said, “You know, Mom, I really need running shoes.”
He does and I hope he’ll get a lot of use out of them.
Running Girl is the mother of 3, a wife, music teacher and long distance enthusiasts who lives in Western New York. Please visit her blog at kaynou.wordpress.com
