We Have a Runner

Nina is a runner.  She can be calmly walking at your side, and out of the blue she bolts- takes off like a shot.  Sometimes she stops when you call her, sometimes she doesn't.  Maybe she's being naughty when she doesn't, but I think that she's more in the zone- she is so focused on running as fast as she can that she doesn't even hear you.  And she is fast.  And she only stops when either A.) You catch her, or B.) She runs out of breath.

Here's an example.  A couple of weeks ago I took her to the Boston Aquarium.  By myself.  I figured she's a big girl now, I could handle a trip to Boston alone with a 3 year old.  And we had a big pep talk about not running away from Mimi in Boston on the way in in the car. We had lots of fun- her favorite thing was the seals in the tank out in front of the aquarium.(Could've saved myself the $40 to go inside, but, oh well!)

Along the side of the aquarium where the seal tank was, there was a long wharf that let alongside the building to the back of it- at the end of the wharf were benches and beautiful views of Boston Harbor.   We walked out there- it was a perfect day. We watched planes taking off from Logan and waved to boats going by.  Then Nina had had enough- she started to head back, towards the seal tank.  I followed, still enjoying the views,  watching her do her cute little walk, a few feet ahead of me.

Then she broke into a trot- I reminded her to "not run away from Mimi!"  The trot moved into a full-blown run.  I called her name, thinking, "Please don't make me run after you, child!"  She didn't stop- she accelerated.  I thought some bad words in my head and that I'd better start running too, even though I was positive she would stop at the seal tank.

She didn't.  She kept running, faster than ever.  I was running too, now, but way behind.  I started to panic, because at the end of the wharf was a sidewalk, which ended at a very busy intersection.  I called her name louder- I ran faster.  She kept going- I said a little prayer.  I thought. some nice person will grab her before she's hit by a car....

I just about caught up to her when she stopped.  On the curb, her little toes hanging over the edge.... I didn't know if I should hug her or yell at her. She looked up at me, chest heaving, and said, "Mimi, I'm so tired from running!"

I have lost 25 pounds in the last 2 years.  Nina started walking 2 years ago.  I believe there is a direct correlation.  When people ask me how I lost the weight I say. "Chasing a toddler."  They don't believe me, but it's true.  If she ever stops, I'm in trouble.



(We haven't resorted to the "child safety tether"... but it's not out of the question.)