She titled today’s post “Some Runs just bite.” *Hee Hee* I can relate to doing whatever it takes to get out and run. A little exercise goes a long way in changing the mood for the day, or at least keeping the waistline from expanding any further. She describes pushing the jog stroller up steep hills. Hum? I’ve been there – done that.
But those days of pushing jog strollers are gone. Today, YaYa (on his bike) and I (running beside him) hit the trails around my work for my long run. I was trying to fit it in between dropping BoBo off in our old neighborhood and meeting Brit. Tomorrow we will attend the Children’s Grief Camp, so I wanted to get my long run out of the way.
The weather was sunny, but breezy. It felt great to be out. Running on mostly dirt trails, and away from the pedestrian, dog, and cyclist packed bike path that we usually use for the Mother-Son Runs, was a refreshing change. I was looking forward to joining up a couple of my lunchtime routes to make the required 12-14 miles. But things didn’t go as planned.
We’d only traveled about 2 miles when YaYa struggled to make it up a rather easy hill. My mind thought, this is going to be one l-o-n-g run. I was worried about making it back on time to meet up with Brit because of the rate that we were going. But I tried to stay patient. I waited for YaYa to walk his bike up the hill and then began running again. I kept my pace slow (s-l-o-w-e-r than Long Run Pace) so that he could catch up.
I heard him coming up behind me. The sound of something rubbing filled the air with each pedal stroke. The thing was he was wearing shorts, so it couldn’t be his pants. I *hoped* that there was something stuck to his spokes (like at piece of paper). “My bike is making a funny sound, Mom,” he said. I looked back to see his tire completely flat. *sigh*
We turned around and walked back to the office. Tomorrow’s run (or tonight if a miracle happens) will be better.
Still, YaYa and I had a nice run/walk experience. I wouldn’t say that today’s run “bites;” I’d say that it was pleasant. YaYa and I actually had a better time than some of the other runs that we have done together. Although I will still have my long run on my list of things to do, I really don’t mind. It’s a good day.
The bonding continues back at my office, where we are drinking Gatorade and eating Jelly Belly’s (only the black for me), and waiting for our RBF meet up.
Dear Julie,
Hang in there! In regards to getting up with the roosters, would an early wake up call help? :) For me, the night before I have great intentions and everything for the next day is laid out, but when that darn alarm goes off, all those intenstions loose to the warm pillow! Unless there is another warm body out there waiting, I turn off the alarm and then after the window of opportunity is passed, kick myself all day long (and want to kick everyone else who crosses my path). Love you!
Linda
Oh, I can’t wait for the day when this kid can actually ride a bike! It stinks that you didn’t get your miles in that you needed, but sounds like you and YaYa had a great time together and really, in the end, that is the most important part!
RBF meet up? WHAT???!!!!! *sniff sniff*
I hope you had a good meet up! Sorry that you couldn’t get more miles in but it does sound like a nice time with YaYa.
I don’t have kids yet, but I’ve always had this image of making them part of my running life and it’s really neat to see how great you are with it!
I know it was hard not getting in your long run, but I always treasure those times as unexpected gifts with my kids.
You’ll manage to get that long run in.
Wow you handle disappointment better than I do!
You gained alot from that run but not as expected.