My Pen Mates,
To the casual observer, it's readily apparent that I am very involved with my three children's upbringing; something that my wife I'm sure is happy about. It's a source of joy for me as well, perhaps not fully defined in my head, but certainly originating from my heart.
Tuesday afternoon, I resolved to end and start a new routine. More like pick up on a lost one and boost a budding interest really. It's been months since I went on a run and given recent stresses, I needed the physical exertion to flush out the negative energy from my system. At the same time, Lucas has been paying attention to his lack of stamina and need for cardio in his practice drills for an upcoming basketball tryout. What better time to address both needs than on this post-storm weather; the air is clean, the run path fresh, and the sunset pristine.
With Catholic Confirmation meeting at half past seven, I knew we had to get going almost as soon as we changed from office/school clothes to exercise shorts and shirts. I estimated that the four and a half mile route I wanted to cover will take me at least forty minutes based on my current physical shape, so that left time only for Lucas to shower and change afterwards for his class but not enough time for me. As soon as we get out of the neighborhood and on the trail, I told him that he could run ahead and don't mind me falling behind. In the encroaching darkness, I watch him jog up an incline, turn on the path parallel to the creek, and head on right to the riverside for the round trip back to our housing development. He initially hesitated and looked over his shoulder a couple of times, as if hoping that I'll keep up. It wasn't going to happen as far as I can tell, comparing his gait to mine; so I waved him off and I went at my own slow pace. Ordinarily, after this type of hiatus from exercising, I will be so out of shape that exhaustion combines with frustration and I slow down to a crawl at about mid-point. From there, I start mentally noting the distance remaining till I get home, and psyching my self to concentrate on my breathing and ignoring the pains and strains from the physical exertion.
Not tonight however. Oh, the aches and pains were there, and my lungs were protesting the elevated oxygen demand. But tonight, my mind was more concerned with getting back in time to drive Lucas to his religious class. I kept on looking at my wrist watch, giving myself a reasonable time goal, and hopefully not cause my son to be late. Ten minutes from home, I figured that he would already be showering and hoped that he can grab a fruit or sandwich before I arrived so he doesn't starve during class. I kept on mentally ticking off these activities in my head, mindless of the exhaustion and the darkness engulfing me. I get to the parkway with its streetlights illuminating the rest of the run, and realized when I got sight of the front of the house, that despite my total lack of conditioning and long layoff from running, I wasn't as tired as I should reasonably be! I guess my concern to get home in time displaced the fatigue center in my brain and somehow allowed me to focus on my goal rather than my physical condition. This was actually a very rewarding feeling!
Imagine my surprise and embarrassment when Lica opens the front door and I see Lucas walking down the hallway to the stairs, having already showered and dressed to go. He said he finished his banana when I asked if if he'd had a bite, and somehow found time to pop in his contact lenses_ having arrived all of fifteen minutes before I rang the front door bell! Of course, through sweaty eyebrows and with a towel around my back, I had to grill him all through our ride to the church about the path he ran, making sure we did run the same route. He was amused by my incredulity, but after a while perhaps slightly irritated by my inquiry. I did feel good running though, and in this instance, keeping up or trying to keep up with my son was a strong motivator. It gave me a different mindset, the necessary distraction that allowed me to focus on something other than the present activity. Knowing he was running ahead of me and that we were scheduled to be somewhere was the perfect mental diversion I needed to prod my middle-aged unconditioned bones to get the exercise I need. Without him realizing it, and I'm sure not giving it a second thought, Lucas inspired me today. I cannot aspire to be as quick and strong as he will be (for I never was at his age), but I can derive strength from knowing that my son has become a goal setter. I'm sure he's just glad that he got some cardio exercise....
Mon
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