It was July last year that I first landed in
Brisbane, Australia. I did not feel it
was the beginning of the stable life, for I knew I would go back soon to China
to get all documents done, with no doubt, which would be time-consuming.
We lived in the inner west part of Brisbane,
which was about 15-minute drive to downtown that they call “City” here. The shopping center was just opposite to our
apartment and the transportation center of this area was in walking
distance. It was hard not to admit that
everything was fine here. We woke up by
the singing of birds every morning and, sometimes, they were just too loud. It was not necessary for us to have any
plants at home at all, for it was always green outside of windows with various
species of plants. It was just hard to
see people around except the areas around the shopping center. Apparently, there was far more trees than
people here. I always knew that I like
plants, especially trees. I just not
realized that I liked them more when crowds were nearby.
For the first several weeks, I was a little
lonely at home, even without the company of the furniture, which was still on
the journey of sea freight unfortunately.
After my furniture and books arrived, I started reading some large heavy
books that I was always interested in but fail to finish. Compared with the exciting days on the
journey and the comfortable and diversified days in Shanghai, days here were simple,
quiet and peaceful. Walking in the
community, it was hard to see any people, only cars passing by and some dogs
barking. Almost all shops around closed
at 5 pm, except Thursday, on which people got their weekly salaries. Doing nothing but reading might lead to
anxiety and worries about future, but in a short period it might also lead to happiness.
I did not expect that I could enjoy the
peaceful days with Mr. Reading so much. Hope I can date with Mr. Reading as many times as I can. The second-hand books store in city is the ideal place for us to meet.
Gyms were unique here, many of which were
open 24 hours and 7 days, while no supermarket here run this way. I guess people emphasis more on workout rather
than food. Maybe I was poisoned by the
permanent sunny day, blue sky and cosy weather in winter here. I had a crush on Mr. Running after a ten-year
break of regular exercise. Magically, I
started to meet Mr. Running regularly and do some exercise as my daily routine.
I remembered it was in August, but I was
not sure of the reasons and the motivation.
It just happened. When Mr. Running
came back silently to my life, I felt some missing part of my body came back
too.
I still remembered the fresh air in Japanese
Garden in the early morning after running.
The air was heady with the perfume from trees, flowers and grasses. Both my mind and body enjoyed those peaceful
and fresh mornings. I guess this was
one part of my motivations to run in the early morning in Hawaii. Although it did not last long since my knees
easily got hurt, yet it was the time that I was so close to regular running and
other exercise after the 10-year break.
This time I run very carefully. I started with a slow pace, control the distance,
only run every other day, and did some supportive exercises for the knees, such
as squats. It seemed that I had enough
patience based on the understanding of the limits of my body. I knew what I was doing so I did not complain
to myself about the slow pace, the short distance, or no clues to any improvement.
I was waiting for the improvement and I
knew my body would feel it. Fortunately,
it worked before I lost my interest. Luckily,
it only took me around 4 to 6 weeks to successfully build the habit.
When I run with Emma, Gretchen, Dina in
Hawaii, I did not realize that running had been already very popular in many
places all over the world and many men and women even claimed that they were
addicted to running. Now as I am
getting into it, I can understand them more.
Thanks so much, girls. You
encouraged me a lot. Not only have I known more knowledge about
running, but also I have experienced the feeling of addiction about it. In fact, it is amazing, which makes me feel positive,
energetic and happy so easily. The hour
for running and exercise turns to be the special hour in each day that I do not
want to miss it.
Sometimes, it is still hard to start the
run, particularly when I am tired or I feel blue, but as soon as my feet touch
the ground, my body automatically finds back the familiar feeling leading to a
running with a longer distance or a faster speed. Every time after running, the body is tired
but the feeling is just fantastic. It
seems that running creates a happier body and a more positive mind just in one
hour.
I envied those persons who start running
when they are young. I have no idea why
I did not start it during the university time, when I lived in the beautiful
campus; why not at the time of my first job, when I was the member of a gym
nearby; why not during my master program in Hong Kong, when I lived near the
routes special for running and cycling.
No medicine could heal my regret until I saw
the news. The lady near 90-year-old
successfully finished the marathon in Hawaii and she started to run marathon
only 10 years ago.
I am lucky to meet Mr. Running.
