I ran with my mother today. It was the first time we have run together in years… literally.
Growing up, runs around the neighborhood, on Braes Bayou and at Memorial Park with my mom were a regular occurrence. Every week at least 3 times a week we’d get dressed, put our running shoes on and Mom would make me run with her. It was never really my cup of tea… running until you’re hot, smelly and sweaty when you’re 9 years old isn’t all that exciting.
As I entered junior high school I started to play sports… running got me through that. As a matter of fact I was better than most of the other girls…so I’d run with the boys! When I tried out for cheerleader it helped me lose the extra pounds gained during puberty… running got me into my cheerleading uniform.
When I entered high school I wanted to play varsity soccer… and running got me on the team. When I switched schools and decided not to play sports running kept me trim and in my clothes.
All those years I spent running I never really enjoyed doing it. It was just something I had to do because my mom wanted me to or my coach wanted me to or my wardrobe insisted that I do.
But really, deep down inside, I guess it was for my mom. As an All American collegiate runner it was her passion. I would never be the runner she was. Not because I wasn’t an athlete, but because I didn’t think I had the drive or the talent as a runner. Not to mention after a half mile around the track my A.D.D. kicks in and I’m ready to go home.
I know you’re probably wondering why I’m writing about running today... well running has gotten me through life.
I remember being 19 years old, a freshman in college, living in Austin… it was my first time away from home. I spent a lot of time with my aunt and uncle that year, but it wasn’t like being home with my mother. So I ran… I’d get home from class when no one was home and I’d get dressed, put on my running shoes and hit the road. It was my way of being with my mom when I couldn’t. As I ran I could hear her voice in my head… “run pretty Phallynn”.
Elbows straight back… stand up straight… relax your jaw… breathe through your nose and mouth… now open up your stride… don’t let your feet hit hard…it all played through my head. When I ran I felt like my mom was right there with me. I could almost hear her running shoes hitting the pavement next to me. I was home.
When I was 20 years old I moved back home… for a boy (but I told everyone it was for my major). After 2 years he broke my heart. What did I do when I got home? I ran. I remember getting home and crying. I went upstairs, got dressed, put on my running shoes and hit the road with tears in my eyes. I ran a lot those next few months… running got me over my first love.
When I was 22 I lost one of my closest friends in an unexpected and tragic accident. He was like my brother and my heart mourned and I cried like never before. I hadn’t run regularly in a long time. But I thought I’d give it a shot and see how far I could go. So I went into my apartment got dressed, put on my running shoes and hit the road. It felt good… it wasn’t as fast as before, but it felt good. Running helped me to stop mourning.
From the age of 22 to 25 I worked as a “promotional model”… I still laugh at that title. Being in shape was key. No one wants to see a fat girl in a spaghetti strap top and hot pants. So I went back to what I knew. At least 4 times a week I got dressed, put on my running shoes and hit the road. Running helped me pay my bills and finish college.
At 26 years old I had surgery. It was a minor surgery, but I couldn’t run or workout for 3 months. The doctor told me I might bust my stitches… I thought my head might explode. After 3 months of not working out I dug out my running shoes… I dusted them off, got dressed, put on my running shoes and hit the road. It felt like home. Running helped me recover from surgery.
Now, at 28 years old, I run for me. I started to run for my mom. It was our bonding time…our mother daughter time. It was what we did as a 2 person family. Now I run 4 or 5 times a week. When I’m sick, hungover, tired, out of town, sad, broken hearted or just plain stressed out…I run. Running is my release and it gets me through life. Even though I log most of my miles on the treadmill I still hear my mom’s voice next to me…”run pretty Phallynn”.
So today, I got a call from my mom. We got dressed, put on our running shoes and hit the road…together. I was home… elbows straight back… stand up straight… relax your jaw… breathe through your nose and mouth… now open up your stride… don’t let your feet hit hard…
There we were mother and daughter running pretty through life together for the first time in years.
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