I find myself writing a lot about simple, mundane tasks of everyday life that happen to remind me of my dad. Whether he was making dinner for me or taking a walk with me, he never failed to make me smile. He was a simple guy; he lived his life encompassed by the strict routine of going to work each day, followed by coaching my brother's sports teams and then spending time with his family at night, usually with us surrounding the television watching a game. In between all of that, there was one thing he never would forgo no matter how busy his day was. He ran about five miles on the treadmill in our basement everyday after work, kind of like how I never miss walking 10,000 steps every single day.
I have now been at college for a little over two weeks. I have never felt more of his presence in my everyday life than I have within these two weeks. Whether I am walking across campus and a butterfly flies beside me or when I go to lunch at Varsity, his favorite restaurant, I feel his presence more than ever before. All I want to do is call him and tell him about my adventures so far, but unfortunately that's not reality.
Although all of the things I just listed make me feel his presence, nothing makes me think of him more than when I go to the gym. When I go to the gym at home, I avoid the treadmill at all costs. First, I absolutely hate running, especially running across a belt that just doesn't stop moving. Second, I walk the track at the gym at home, therefore avoiding the undesired machine. However, at school, the only real way to get my steps in at the gym is by walking on the treadmill. This gave me no choice but to complete my cardio routine on this undesirable machine.
At first, I tried to think of another way to complete my cardio workout. I could use the elliptical, like I sometimes do at home, but that doesn't count as steps on my Fitbit. Therefore, that thought was out. Next, I thought about using the bike. Once again, that doesn't count as steps on my Fitbit. That thought was out too. Finally, I just had to accept the challenging decision and use the treadmill.
Five minutes into the first workout, my mind drifted towards thoughts of my dad. I was just walking at a leisurely pace, but I wondered how he sprinted at a ten mile per hour pace every day. I kept thinking, finally realizing that I am fulfilling my dream of going to this school, something that he would be beyond proud of me for, and he's not here to see it. I know in my heart that all of those butterflies carry his spirit right to me and I am sure he is smiling down on me.
I have been on the treadmill about four more times since this first episode and every time I think of him. At first it makes me upset, but then I realize that he is definitely here with me in spirit. I guess working out on the treadmill has its perks twofold and that isn't so bad after all.
