Suits, heels on downtown city streets, tired faces dodged. A former colleague from the Ministry. A smile hello.
Long steps down to the seawall from the new convention centre. Float planes and large yachts. Bejewelled harbour; I feel glittered in my running shoes. I’m only going for 45 minutes; the race is only a couple of weeks away.
Two men pass me: one wearing a toque and long sleeves and what appear to be skate shoes with only the most minimal sole, the other older. I keep pace just behind them and soak up their chatter as ambient camaraderie.
Bikes, rollerblades on the shady side. A strong pace. Bliss. Just ahead, the lookout point, my estimated 4 k turnaround. I brought water, should I just keep going?
Just one more kilometre.
Rounding a bend I can see the Lion’s Gate bridge. Beyond that I know is the open strait, brilliant sun, cliffs shiny with runoff, more water fountains, beaches. I stop at the 5 k point and take a picture.
Some military-type men run by – their dark blue shirts and muscled arms. They catch my glance, smile and say hi.
“I’m wondering whether I should keep going around,” I call out.
“Go for it, it’s not as long as it looks!”
I know how far it is. If I turn back now, it’s a 10K run. If I keep going, it’s 15k, an extra half hour onto what should really be a taper run.
I keep going, because runs like this are worth more than any Personal Record.
I keep going, because this is why I run.
Photo: Seawall Run, by Tori Klassen
I dream that one day I will be writing a blog just like this. My runs are currently feel long slow and heavy.. and yet somewhere inside I know a blog just like this one is waiting to be written. Thanks for the inspiration!
You’re welcome Susan! Thanks for the compliment. Keep running, it’s on the road or the trail when you find, and accept, who you really are in that moment, whether it’s with heavy legs or wings on your ankles!