Running tonight, I was just about halfway around Greenlake, when I saw a familiar face. Brown eyes focused forward, short little legs clipping along, tongue hanging out just a little, nose twitching the air for good stink.
I raised my voice just enough to be heard as they approached, "Oscar!" His focus didn't break. "Oscar! Oscar!" He saw me, and his face softened as he pulled on his leash to get closer. Kiss kiss kiss kiss JUMP kiss kiss TWIRL kiss kiss TAIL WAGWAGWAG!! Oh so happy to see me. Oscar greets me like he hasn't seen me for years. Every time. I love his greeting. It is so sincere and heartfelt, since he is genuinely happy to see me. I know that I represent good adventures, time with his dog friends, trips to the park and walks around Greenlake. I also know that Oscar is my buddy and like any good pal, he is always happy to see his bestest friends.
I made small talk with his human, Ryan. And as our conversation wrapped up and I had to bend down to tie my shoe, I watched Oscar. He didn't want to leave. Ryan walked away, Oscar dragged toward me and then he would relent a couple steps and turn around. A couple steps and then walk in front of Ryan to turn around. Turn around. Turn around. Drag back. Turn around. He kept watching me, watch him. We kept locking eyes. He wanted to hang with his girl. I knew we'd see each other soon but my heart was so happy to see his loyalty and love.
As I started my run again, I smiled. My heart was just a little bit lighter with Oscar's Love.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Inertia Words
I guess the first step is always the hardest. The best part of it being, is it gives you moving in a direction. You have overcome the inertia of being at a complete standstill.
Last Friday, I had an early day and got home from dog walking around one. I laid down. Aside from doing my dogsitting duties, I really did not get off the couch. I didn't run. I didn't do Jiu Jitsu. I was so beyond exhausted, all I could do was eat and hang out on the couch. This went on for Friday, Saturday, Sunday and on through Monday and Tuesday. This whole week has been about talking myself in to doing the most basic things to get by. These include: get up. make coffee. get dressed. feed self. feed dog. leave house. drive to get dogs. walk dogs. take dogs home. go home. shower. couch. eat. pass out on couch. wake up. turn off tv. go to bed.
Written out, it is actually a lot. When I am not so drained, that is the normal goings on of any day. It seems so simple and fluid, yet this week is like climbing a mountain every day.
Today I woke up, telling myself I would run. I haven't ran since last Wednesday. I came home and showered, sat on the couch and debated. I searched the web for other projects and I came upon some words that made sense.
Dana Torres, the 41 year old mother and Olympic 2008, silver medalist has a new book out. "Age is only a Number" I saw it on Amazon and read some of it. Detailing a rough time at the Olympic trials and not feeling well, she shares her mantra, "You don't have to feel well to swim fast. You don't have to feel well to swim fast."
Well, if Dana Torres can not feel well and still put records on the boards, I can run Greenlake. My version of the mantra becomes, "you don't have to feel well to run Greenlake." I didn't feel well. I felt drained. I got dressed and I drove my ass down there, grateful for the nice balmy weather and the shifting evening sun. I got down to the lake and was inspired to see people biking, running, laughing, walking with dogs or friends or both.
I started running. I was right behind a woman who was annoying to watch run. Her legs shifted out to each side and back in almost a circular motion. It made me wonder how she stood upright, much less was able to run in a straight line. Her pace was just enough in my face that the words on the back of her shirt draw my attention. "If it is meant to be, it is up to me."
Always is, isn't it?
I passed her. I ran the lake. I enjoyed listening to Paul Simon in one ear and snippets of passing conversation in the other. I ran it in 30 minutes. I crossed my finish line, patted an adorable English black Lab named Johnathan, stretched, got in the car, cried and drove home.
I discovered I could overcome my inertia. I don't have to feel well to run Greenlake and that if it is meant to be, it is up to me. I hope that this first step starts a new momentum of direction...to keep going, knowing that the journey will lead you to where you need to arrive.
Last Friday, I had an early day and got home from dog walking around one. I laid down. Aside from doing my dogsitting duties, I really did not get off the couch. I didn't run. I didn't do Jiu Jitsu. I was so beyond exhausted, all I could do was eat and hang out on the couch. This went on for Friday, Saturday, Sunday and on through Monday and Tuesday. This whole week has been about talking myself in to doing the most basic things to get by. These include: get up. make coffee. get dressed. feed self. feed dog. leave house. drive to get dogs. walk dogs. take dogs home. go home. shower. couch. eat. pass out on couch. wake up. turn off tv. go to bed.
Written out, it is actually a lot. When I am not so drained, that is the normal goings on of any day. It seems so simple and fluid, yet this week is like climbing a mountain every day.
Today I woke up, telling myself I would run. I haven't ran since last Wednesday. I came home and showered, sat on the couch and debated. I searched the web for other projects and I came upon some words that made sense.
Dana Torres, the 41 year old mother and Olympic 2008, silver medalist has a new book out. "Age is only a Number" I saw it on Amazon and read some of it. Detailing a rough time at the Olympic trials and not feeling well, she shares her mantra, "You don't have to feel well to swim fast. You don't have to feel well to swim fast."
Well, if Dana Torres can not feel well and still put records on the boards, I can run Greenlake. My version of the mantra becomes, "you don't have to feel well to run Greenlake." I didn't feel well. I felt drained. I got dressed and I drove my ass down there, grateful for the nice balmy weather and the shifting evening sun. I got down to the lake and was inspired to see people biking, running, laughing, walking with dogs or friends or both.
I started running. I was right behind a woman who was annoying to watch run. Her legs shifted out to each side and back in almost a circular motion. It made me wonder how she stood upright, much less was able to run in a straight line. Her pace was just enough in my face that the words on the back of her shirt draw my attention. "If it is meant to be, it is up to me."
Always is, isn't it?
I passed her. I ran the lake. I enjoyed listening to Paul Simon in one ear and snippets of passing conversation in the other. I ran it in 30 minutes. I crossed my finish line, patted an adorable English black Lab named Johnathan, stretched, got in the car, cried and drove home.
I discovered I could overcome my inertia. I don't have to feel well to run Greenlake and that if it is meant to be, it is up to me. I hope that this first step starts a new momentum of direction...to keep going, knowing that the journey will lead you to where you need to arrive.
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