As I waited at the distribution center, hoping to be shipped to a store where I not only looked pretty but unique! I am no different than you humans, I too seek attention and do everything to draw eyes at me. My existence has just one sole purpose, and that is not just being a decorative material for a closet.
As much as I craved to be chosen by a runner, I was equally anxious, very anxious. I wanted to be in the hands of someone who would take me out everyday for a long run, make me feel important, and help me achieve the purpose of my very existence.
As she walks by me, she gives me a second look, finds me attractive and wants to give me a chance. Excited and anxious, I try my best to make her feel comfortable as she steps into me. I felt her strong yet pretty feet enter firmly. She walks in me, jogs a little, and jumps a few times to see if I fit her bill. She walks down to the full size mirror to check out if we looked good together. I could see her eyes were tired from testing many like me. However, I see a glint, a short crooked smile, I jump in joy at the prospect of her taking me home. As I am being boxed to go home, I lie on the table and see this glittery card being swiped into the machine, Voila! The deal is done. Like your insurance agreements with these tricky asterisk marks, we too face them in the form of return policy! Though I had this little fear of being returned, a huge sense of pride rushed to my head, for being the chosen one! She unwraps me places me on her fancy glass shoe rack right next to yet another old, withered, and unattractive running shoe. Damn, the competition never ends; not until I kick the bucket!
Swirling in my own thoughts, wondering if she is an early bird or someone who would get her run later during the day; I stayed awake the whole night anxious to get to know my new buddy! I have never looked forward to dawn as much, and finally the sun is peeking out; she enters the room, slips on a pair of formal heels and heads out to “tik tok”. Are you kidding me? I have to wait maybe another 12 hours for her to take me out on our first date! If only wishes were horses, I would ask for a voice, by which I could loudly express how desperately I have been looking forward for our run, and many more of them! I wish she understood that. I wanted to see the world with her, through her lenses. Oh wait, did the sun just vanish? Who really gave him the authority to go on vacation and have the rain gods cover for him instead? This day cannot get any worse I thought, she is definitely not taking me out today.
As my lady walks home tired, places her heels back on the shelf, I look at her intensely, hoping to catch her attention. She reaches out towards me, and turns to the old unattractive guy next to me. Well, she is more comfortable with him, may be just likes him more and shares a strong electronic bond with him. Puzzled, she turns to me, touches me and takes me into her palm, looks at me, loosens me up and slides her feet into me. She finally chose me for the day, and I cannot wait to hit the road. We are fond of each other, and I make her comfortable, get her to every finish line strong.
She has run uncountable number of half marathons, marathons and ultra marathons with me. We seem to have this unique bond, which is so overpowering that even on a tired bad day, all she looks forward to is our run, together! She takes such good care of me, keeps me clean and treats me with all due respect and oh my, she plainly adores me just as much as she is in love with running. I could not have found a better match. She is my true soul mate! Some paths in life have to be walked alone, but if you have a buddy like me, even those journeys are not alone.
She has run uncountable number of half marathons, marathons and ultra marathons with me. We seem to have this unique bond, which is so overpowering that even on a tired bad day, all she looks forward to is our run, together! She takes such good care of me, keeps me clean and treats me with all due respect and oh my, she plainly adores me just as much as she is in love with running. I could not have found a better match. She is my true soul mate! Some paths in life have to be walked alone, but if you have a buddy like me, even those journeys are not alone.
With time, I have become old, worn out and I do not think I am able to provide the same comfort I used to. I did not want to become that old guy in her shoe rack that she did not look at anymore. I have achieved my purpose of existence and our sweet successful relationship was coming to an end. I felt a million daggers stab me. Though I wasn’t ready to be replaced, I knew my time was coming to an end. No one can take my place in her life. She walks into the house, with a fresh young guy, who looks exactly like I did. With the realization that she looked for me in her new companion, I rested in peace in her rack, looking at her take him out everyday. She has not forgotten me. She still takes me out every once in a while and respects me just the same way, cherishing our symphony, and I see her and say, “We had the best run!”
**This comes from a runner who has all her running shoes stacked one next to the other. I respect, and have special memories with each one of them. They have made me the person I am and they will continue to have a special place in my heart.
