Magical Mile

I met a new running partner on Sunday.  I had just returned from my longest run in over a year with my girls.  Upon arriving at home, I received another running request.  I was sweaty, tired and hungry.  But, this request left me giddy.  And it could not be turned down. 

After several requests to go out and run with me in the last few weeks had all been denied, this mate came to ME and asked ME to run with HIM.  He smiled his newly toothless grin and asked me how was the weather and what should he wear. 

I gave him directions and pointed him to his room while I grabbed a banana and some water to refuel.  He was back downstairs within minutes and we headed back out the door. 

I asked him which way he wanted to go.  He looked up and down our street, squinting at the sun.  After careful consideration, he pointed left.  "To the end of the sidewalk,"  he said confidently. "And time us."

Surprised, I pushed start on my watch and hopped to the street, giving him the full run of the sidewalk.  I let him set the pace.  And he set it.  Last time I ran with him, he would sprint and walk, sprint and walk.  Today, he seemed to understand the distance he planned to go and how fast he needed to run to obtain it. 

As we ran along without talking, I listened to our footsteps hit the vacant pavement down our street and I looked over at him.  He was looking right at me, with a big, goofy grin on his face, blond hair flapping and blue eyes twinkling.  We reached the end of the sidewalk. 

I asked him what he wanted to do.  He responded he wanted to turn around and head back the other direction.  He picked up the pace a little.  We were closing in on our house and I told him that we could stop at our house or we could go around the block and hit a mile.  Without hesitation, he replied, "Let's go around the block, mommy.  I want to run a mile."

I reminded him to pump his arms as we turned onto a new street.  "I am, mom, see?"  I looked.  He was right.  I watched his form and it was perfect, as only a child's running form can be, because they run naturally and without thinking.  He was light on his feet and looked straight ahead.  He still had a big smile on his face and although his breathing had picked up, he picked up his pace one last time.  As we rounded the final corner to our house, I told him to race me home.  And he did.  We stopped at our driveway, both exhausted from that final last exertion.  I gave him a high-5 and he asked me how far we went and how long it took us.  He ran to the house with this new information to share with his dad.

I'm not sure I can quite explain how I felt, running this last mile of the day with my 6-yo.  Watching him run, so strong and sure, gave me a moment's disbelief that I could be OLD enough to have a child able to do this with me.  And at the same time, his carefree running style and grins seemed to travel through the air, lifting my tired legs, leaving me wondering if I wasn't actually younger.  Maybe these two moments collided today, leaving me one perfect moment of peace and calm.....pure magic.