Thrown into this new lifestyle, I am trying to listen to ALL the advice. Social distance, wash your hands, don’t hoard toilet paper, make a schedule, FaceTime with friends (and wine), and get some fresh air. For the past few weeks (when it’s not hailing, snowing, or raining), I have been making it a priority to get outside with my kids. We like to play in the backyard, but because we live in the city our backyard is not very big, and the balls my kids kick and throw are constantly going over the fence.
So, we like to take to the streets.
Both boys, 5 and 3, love the stroller and going fast. I am not a runner, but in trying to appease them (and my long-time goal of running a 10K) we go out for a run. Some days I take the single, others I am pushing the double stroller. Remember, they are 5 and 3 — that’s a lot to be pushing through the streets at a faster-than-walking pace (when I say run, I mean a jog with some walking included).
We have been exploring our city streets and running further than normal since we have unlimited time. However, I am finding it very hard to stay on the sidewalks. The sidewalks that are meant for walking do not comfortably fit my single, never mind my double jogger. At times, I am feeling unsafe on these jogs. The other day, while out with one of my boys — who was peacefully napping — I found myself slowing down and navigating around trees, potholes, trash barrels, and dog poop. It was frustrating. It was ruining my stride. And, to top it off, my son, who had been peacefully napping, was no longer napping!
So, what did I do? I ran in the street. I am sorry to the cars that had to share the road with me. Some of you were kind, polite, and went way around us. However, some cars were not so polite. I was, at times, nervous for myself and son. I tried to squeeze over, but with the more-than-normal amount of cars parked along the sides of the roads from everyone working from home (thank you), I was having a tough time. Eventually, I took my running back to the less-than-safe sidewalks.
We are in a pandemic. When you see a mom getting fresh air with her children, maybe the first time they’ve left the house in days, please leave room. Don’t creep in close, don’t get annoyed, and certainly don’t honk your horn. You never know who you’ll be waking up.
