I'm jealous, now let's run

by Jacki Donaldson (Subscribe to Jacki Donaldson's posts)
Aug 31st 2008 7:30AM

Categories: Fitness

I've been running this great 3.5 mile loop in the mornings, just after I drop my little boys at school. I leave my car parked in the school parking lot, strap my MP3 player to my arm, and run. I also wonder. I wonder what all the drivers who pass me on the street think when they see me running by. It's a pretty traffic-y area (don't worry, I stay on the sidewalk and cross streets only when I see the flashing "walk" guy) so I know bunches of people spot me working on my fitness. Do they critique my form? Do they laugh at me trying to keep my balance while hunting for my favorite song? Do they see me tugging at my wedgie, adjusting my shorts, wiping sweat from my brow? Of course, they do. I see all these things when I zero in on a runner. But mostly, when I see someone exercising outdoors, I think one thing: I want that to be me.

When I see someone running, I want to run. When I see someone power walking, I want to power walk. And when I see someone riding a bike up and down the seven hills in the my neighborhood -- big hills, I might add -- I want to be conquer those very same hills.

My new neighbor inspired me. There she was the other night, powering up and down hills while I was walking them. My walk was good. But that bike ride -- it looked even better. Well, it looked really hard, to be honest. But it made me want to tackle something different, a new challenge. I've never done it, so why not. I may even coax my seven-year-old into joining me. Together we can accomplish something great. Together we can become eye candy for those around us. What will they think? Probably that I'm huffing and puffing way too hard as my kid leaves me in his dust. What I hope, though, is that they'll think they want to ride too.

What makes you want to run, walk, or ride?

Comments (5)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

smooshabug 8-31-2008 @ 10:38AM

This cracks me up. I'm a runner in the very early morning, so every time *I* see a runner in the afternoon, grunting through the heat, I think "I'd HATE to be you right now!"

Craig 8-31-2008 @ 11:28AM

Why do you run in a high traffic area? Doesn't all that exhaust bother you?

rhiannon 8-31-2008 @ 4:28PM

wow, seems very presumptuous and self-centered. one thing i've learned is that no one thinks about you as much as you think about you, so stop obsessing.
and biking up some hills...a GREAT accomplishment?? really?? sure exercise is important, but c'mon!

Maggie Vink 9-02-2008 @ 9:03AM

I know exactly what you mean, Jacki. A few years ago, I noticed a man running in my neighborhood in the afternoons. He was red-faced, sweating, struggling... clearly out of shape. I thought it was awesome. He was out doing something that was difficult for him, regardless of how he looked doing it. He still runs in my neighborhood -- but now he's lost a lot of weight, is toned, and looks like he could star in a fitness commercial. The transformation is amazing. I don't know him at all... but he's a great inspiration.

Sometimes all we need to inspire us to try something new or to get moving is to see someone else doing it. Even if they're tugging at their wedgie!

harmonyguy 9-14-2008 @ 3:15PM

I generally run on trails, more specifically, bike trails on nature preserves. There happen to be two near me in the Oak Cliff area of Dallas. So I see very few other people, and few see me--bike riders wanting to pass on the narrow trails.