My husband an international level mountain terrain biker, recently decided to literally step into marathon race. One day he remarked that even I could have done it. Feeling encouraged I decided that I would also take up running and soon I will be winning marathons.
So the first step is to gear up, in practical terms. I ended up in an expensive sports clothing and shoes store and bought all what I considered essentials; and my teenage sons remarked to be extravagance. The alarm went off at five next morning, my husband sleepily grumphed , ” turn it off”. I jumped out of the bed and asked him to get up and join me. He did not deign to reply. I got ready, and woke up my husband again to tell me about stretching exercises. His answer was,” check on the net. “
It took me 15 minutes to find something, which I considered, suitable on YouTube. Further fifteen minutes of warm up and I was good to go. As I stepped out and I saw a horde of stray dogs growling at each other and beat a hasty retreat, back inside the house. Again I entreated my husband to accompany me, which fell on deaf ears. Then I woke up my sons, who were thoroughly grumpy , ” Mom don’t wake us in the middle of the night.”
” There are stray dogs outside. Get up and accompany me for running.” I said sternly.
” Take a stick.” said my wise old son.
Accepting the good advice, I tried finding a stick. Unfortunately there was not a stick in sight. Not even a baseball bat or hockey stick. I tried to improvise with large ladle, wiper, cricket bat; either too small or too large. It was already six thirty and my routine household tasks were looming large. So I shelved the idea.
At breakfast my husband asked me about the run and it was all the opening I needed. Tirade started about women not having enough time to pursue fitness regime. It was monologue; and father and sons ate their breakfast in silence.
About one hour later my husband asked me whether I was free. When I replied in affirmative, he said, ” let’s go for running practice.” It took me half an hour to get ready. When I stated that I was ready, my husband was sitting with his feet up on a stool. He shouted for our younger son to bring his shoes.
As I fumed, he said quite calmly,” have you got your ear phones?” I shook my head and went to get those. As I came back he asked ” have you got handkerchief?” I shook my head and quickly went back. By now he was standing smartly all ready, as he said ” shall we?”
As we reached the park, warm up exercises started. A twist here, a jump there, a rotation here, and a bend there. My husband started forward lunges, which I tried to imitate and promptly fell in a heap.
“I told you to keep your balance.” My husband remarked as he continued with his routine.
” Give me a hand to get up.” I glared at him.
” Let’s run.” My husband stated as I tried to dust my brand new clothes, clean.
Nodding, I followed my husband jogging, on the path. By three hundred meters I was panting and at four hundred meters I stopped to catch my breath. I realised I could no longer see my husband. So I forced myself to move forward. After fifteen minutes of slow walking I stopped again, as my husband came back.
” What happened to you? I had to come back after three kilometres only.” He demanded.
” I am tired. You should remember it is my first time.” I was icy.
He peered at me and said ” Oh well! Let’s go back “
For days afterwards I had cramps; and decided to take it easy, which is continuing till today.
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