It was my sixtieth birthday. I was running my fifteenth half marathon in three hundred sixty-five days to qualify for the "Saturn" level in Half Fanatics. I could have gotten by with twelve, but I didn't want to just get in. The level below 'Saturn' is 'Uranus'. I know it's high school humor, but I didn't want to tell anyone I was 'Uranus,' so I did a few more just for the heck of it.
It was a cold January Sunday morning. The race started at eight, I was ready to go at seven. My wife used to come to the races and wait for me when she was alive. That ended when she was killed in a car accident when I started this streak. I continued on despite mourning her because she would have wanted me to. She knew I loved running. She was my biggest fan, one of the many reasons I loved her so.
The route wasn't too bad, flat for the first three miles, then a medium-sized uphill, and then flat after the downhill. I was chugging along at my usual pace when my phone rang. I usually listen to music as I run so when the phone announced it was my sister calling to wish me a happy birthday I picked it up, talking to her as I ran.
I got a few stares and laughs as people passed me, telling them it was my birthday. I thanked my sister and let her go just before the one hill I had to climb. I chugged up it without too much effort then zipped on down the backside. I caught a woman on the flat keeping up with her as my pace settled back to normal.
We said hello, and she asked me what pace I was shooting for. I told her 'nine'.
She smiled, "Can I tag along? I'm going for a nine also."
"Of course," as I removed my earbuds assuming we'd talk as we ran.
We introduced ourselves, and for the remainder of the half, we did talk. I kept looking at her as we ran with all the layers we both had on. All I actually could see was her face, what an adorable face it was. Very little or no make-up at all. Her eyes were a deep emerald green; her lips looked soft and delicious with a shiny coating of lip balm that she refreshed about every three miles. Under her wool beanie, her red hair peeked out over her ears; tied in the back a short ponytail.
We talked about ourselves, how we got into running, family, the normal light conversation with someone you've just met. Laughing at some of the sights we saw as we ran, I'd point out birds as we passed them by or they flew over. Her sweet demeanor and positive attitude towards life made the remainder of the half flash by.
We hit the finish line with an eight fifty-nine pace. She thanked me for keeping her company then went off to get pictures with her friends. I went home to a small birthday party my daughters were throwing for me.
I thought our little encounter was pleasant. It was a great way to pass the time instead of listening to music. I wondered if I'd ever see her again, hoping I would. Miraculously, I did. One of the running groups I belong to had a monthly 10K. I decided to sign up for them as another goal to accomplish.
I arrived early as usual, got my bib number, socialized a bit and then started my pre-run dynamic warm-up. As I was stretching, I heard a pleasant voice call out my name. I turned to see Claire with her bib on walking towards me.
"Hi, Claire! How are you?"
"Hi Jim, good. How are you?"
"Not too bad, just finishing up my warm up. Are you doing the series?"
"I am, keeps me in shape for the longer distances as long as I don't have any injuries."
I laughed, "Yep, I swim at an indoor pool and ride my bike when it's nice out."
She smiled, "Nice! I do yoga; it does help avoid injuries. You should try it."
"I just might, thanks."
She saw some of her girlfriends, wished me luck then greeted them to begin her warm-up. I stole a few glances, watching her stretch. She was in great shape, no doubt. Even in the cold of February, dressed in lycra running pants, jacket, and a wool beanie she looked good.
Shorter distance races I tend to go faster, this was no exception. The course was flat, no cross streets to stop and wait for traffic lights, so I breezed through the six point two miles with an eight fifteen pace. Not fast enough for one of the age group awards but quick enough to put a smile on my face. I was doing my post-run stretching when Claire and her friends crossed the finish line. We high-fived, congratulating each other on a good race.
As the race season wore on, I kept seeing Claire at the 10ks. We'd talk more and more not only about running, but other more personal subjects. We had a lot in common, and our talks seem to flow effortlessly. We also met at and paced together at a couple of half marathons.
As the months passed by, the temperature slowly increased allowing both Claire and I to shed the layers of warm clothing we wore while running. As the layers melted away with each meeting, I could see how shapely Claire was. For a fifty-seven year old woman, she looked fantastic. Toned legs, tight behind, slim waist combined with a proportional bust made her look at least twenty years younger.
I think it was our fifth race together she asked me if I'd like to join her and her friends for a post-race latte. I agreed, not for the latte but for a chance to meet her friends. She'd mentioned me to them previously. They were friendly as are most people I've met running. We talked and sipped coffee for over an hour finding various races we'd run at the same time. I thanked Claire for inviting me to meet her friends; we said our goodbyes then I headed home.
Over the past eighteen months since my wife's death, I hadn't thought about dating. I think I may have still been grieving or maybe I had been out of the singles scene for so long I didn't recognize that Claire liked me.
I decided in July to ask her out. We were at a Fourth of July half marathon doing our regular run together. About halfway through I asked her if she'd like to have dinner with me. I swear it took her maybe two strides to say yes.
She looked at me with a broad grin, "I was debating on asking you."
I laughed, "I'm shy, what can I say?"
"I was hoping you would; I've wanted to for a long time, Jim. I was wondering why you hadn't."
We passed mile marker nine as I thought about it, "I don't know, Claire. I guess I've been out of the dating scene and didn't recognize the signs. I've wanted to. Sometimes I need a little nudge I guess."
Turning her head, she looked at me, "A nudge? I was about to shove you, silly man."
