running running running
I did something last week that I hadn’t done in a very, very long time: I went to the gym. It doesn’t seem like something that is a huge accomplishment, or a really drastic change from my everyday routine, but the effect it has had on my state of mind is really remarkable.
There was the effect of the exercise endorphins, of course, but there was also the effect of leaving Beatrice at the childcare facility in the gym. I was a bit worried, you know, the first time mom leaving her baby with a non-family or friend caregiver for the first time. But she was totally fine, and I was totally fine, and I got to work up a sweat on the StairMaster. I loved it.
Inspired by my outing to the gym, I decided to take some action on an idea that Tom and I had been kicking around for some time. We’d been wanting to get a bike trailer/jogging stroller so that we can go cycling together, and so that I could do some running while I’ve got Bea with me during the day. So I found a second hand one on craigslist that looked like it was in perfect condition, and Tom went to get it on Saturday morning. Then we cycled over for a lunch date in the West End early Saturday afternoon. We wound our way through the edges of chinatown, towards BC place stadium, then followed the seawall along the downtown side of False Creek, past English Bay Beach and into the sidestreets.
When we emerged out of the urban jungle that exists beneath the bridges and overpasses, where gangs of youth skateboard and bmx, and found ourselves sailing along the edge of the bright water with the light reflecting off the glass-covered apartment towers around us and everyone out enjoying themselves on the seawall, I had one of those, “I can’t believe I live here” moments. I spend so much time in our East Van community, because we have pretty much all the amenities we need within walking distance, that when we go out to other parts of the city I still feel a little like a tourist.
It was a moment of bliss, to be sure. I feel very lucky to be living in such an amazing place.
I think Bea likes the bike trailer too.
