Up until about a month or so ago I ran mostly in the
afternoons after work. This schedule
allowed me to not only get a full day in at the office but to also get my runs
in and take care of my toddling son when Minnie went to work. I loved spending
this time with him. He quickly got into the habit of waving at everyone from
his seat in the jogger while eating his tortilla chips or playing his
harmonica. We chased squirrels and pointed out every dog or child that we saw on
the trail. We stopped on the side of the trail and cheered cyclists and
swimmers during the most recent Capitol of Texas Triathlon. We hollered as we
ran underneath bridges to hear the echo. We stretched together when we were
done. I figured that I was getting tougher by pushing him and that it was good
for him see his daddy running and to be around so many other friendly
exercising people. I felt like I had found a nice balance.
Then it started getting hot.
Because of the Austin heat I have been running early in the
morning before my son is up for the past month or so. I love getting good
cooler runs in without pushing the jogger. I love being able to actually swing
my arms while I move. But I miss running with my boy. I miss getting his chips
ready and making sure that he has his little water bottle and harmonica. I miss
how excited he gets when I tell him we are going to the trail. I miss pulling
his jogger out of the trunk of the car and limbering up next to the tennis
courts while he yells at the old people chasing balls. I miss people smiling at
him while we run. I miss our little trail adventures. I miss how sweet he looks
when he tries to stretch with me after we have finished. I miss how he bangs
his head to "Ramble On" when we get into the car to go home.
I think that I will incorporate him back into at least one of my workouts each week.
