We are a strange couple, Jake and I. We met 13 years ago when he was a young pup. He was still finding his way and me, well, I wasn’t looking to get attached but one look into his brown eyes and there was no looking back.
Once we moved in together, we had some adjustments to make if we going to make this work. He wanted the right side of the bed; it wasn’t big enough for the both of us. He whined and cried when he didn’t get his way. Sometimes I listened; sometimes I didn’t. We took to the trails and mile by mile, we created a friendship that only we could understand. We’ve gone on many trips together to Arizona, New Mexico, and back to Texas.
He wakes me up at 2:00 AM, he paces around the floors during thunderstorms, and he does a tap dance when he is happy or needs to go outside. He has seen me at my worst; he has seen me at my best. He has met my children and he loves them unconditionally. You see, Jake is one of our family dogs. He’s getting up there in age and although we can’t run the trails anymore, we still have that friendship that only we understand. One look into his brown eyes and he still has my heart. He’s a good boy, that Jake, and I’m so happy we met!
Do you remember the movie City Slickers when Curly says to Mitch, “You know what the secret of life is?" and he sticks up one finger and says “One thing. Just one thing. You stick to that and everything else don't mean sh*t." And Mitch replies, "That's great, but what's the one thing?" and Curly answers back, "That's what you've got to figure out."
That’s it? Just ONE thing? That shouldn’t be too hard to figure out, right? Then I got to thinking. What is the one thing that has remained constant in my life? The one thing that I have stuck too and "everything else don't mean sh*t"? As I celebrate my 41st birthday, (Yes, I said it!! 41! Not "forty-something”) I think my "one thing" that has been my “secret to life” is running.
It all started around the summer of my twelfth year when my mom signed me up for a 1-mile fun-run that was part of a 10k she had entered. Little did I know this was the first of many miles I would run in my own race to adulthood.
My early twenties were filled with highs and lows and some memories are blurred (or selectively blocked out) but running always seemed to bring me some perspective even though life didn’t make much sense. I was in my late twenties when I met Bret, my future (and now) husband. Not only had I found a new running partner but also my life partner. A new chapter was about to begin.
The year of my thirtieth birthday was the start of many new beginnings. A new decade older, newly married and pregnant with our first child. Wow! I have to admit though…pregnancy did NOT agree with me. After what felt like the LONGEST first trimester EVER, I was finally able to put on my running shoes and run outside instead of to the bathroom! A big day for me!! As I began to grow, I used running to keep me feeling in tip top shape even though I started to look more like a top about ready to tip. I ran for as long as I could but I slowed it down to a leisurely stroll by the end of my pregnancy.
In May of 2000, our baby arrives, hormones all OVER the place and my “runners” body is somewhere under all these maternity clothes. As soon as I get the “OK” to start exercising, I call up my friend and asked her to meet me for a much needed run. Well, I wouldn’t really call it a “run” per se. It was more like a shuffle but it was the best “shuffle” ever!!! I felt awesome! My jogging stroller became my second car and I ran whenever and wherever I could. I was back on track. Pregnancy pays me another visit and this time around, things went a lot smoother and run/walking (with the stroller, of course) became even more crucial to my sanity and fitness.
As I enter into this new decade with my kids in elementary school, jogging strollers a thing of the past and fitness still top of my list, running continues to be my “ONE” thing. My secret to life! Now ask yourself, what is your “ONE” thing?
