There is something so cool about driving around the city this time of year. Usually about January the number of runners out and about first thing Saturday morning swells. While I haven’t done a scientific study I know that this is in direct proportion to the set date of a race.
It always makes me a little jealous when I see groups of runners who are out training for a race. I usually watch them instead of driving and I envy the laughter and the comraderie that is evident from afar. I want to run right then too, to enjoy the feeling of the wind in my face and the numbness in my toes. My mind wanders and I think to myself, I wonder what their motivation is for starting to run.
Some of the motivation for me is a treasured family member also known as TFM who started running a number of years ago. One, who like the Gazelle decided to start running one day and ran 10 km his first time out.
Soon after he decided he was going to run Around the Bay and he never looked back. One year the route took him right past the Gazelle’s apartment and out goes the Gazelle to cheer him on. The Gazelle stands with a number of other proud supporters who yelled and cheered and rang cow bells. That is a whole other post in itself.
So TFM knows that the Gazelle will be looking for him. But the Gazelle was a bit distracted and missed TFM until he ran behind the Gazelle tapped him on the shoulder and said, “Are you looking for me?”
“Opps, darn” said the Gazelle “I’ll do better next time.”
Sibling rivallry kicked in the next year and I decided I was going to do one better than the Gazelle. I had a sign and a plan.
So I walk to the route with my sign in hand. I won’t miss TFM.
And then the lady next to me started talking about her son. He was in the race too and this was his first Bay and she was so proud.
I tried to talk to the nice lady and keep an eye out for TFM.
And when TFM ran up to me and said, “What is it with your family? Don’t you guys know how to look for runners in a group?”
“Opps, darn,” I said, “I’ll do better next time.”
So I joined a running group, and never looked back. And never missed TFM at the finish line again.
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