Runbike

We are building new traditions, I have said. We are building ourselves, and the kind of family we hope to be. Most of these traditions are built in the small moments between things, in the off hours and off days. They are built in the ways we choose to do the things we want.

Thus this morning between bands of rain we went on a runbike. I start on foot, trying to maintain pace as we head south east from our apartment on big roads and small neighborhoods. Past a big shrine and turn west, heading up a long hill towards Ikebukuro. I work hard to the top and we pause at a red light to switch. I get on the bike, Clara on the back, giving Tara her turn to run along side, to lead and determine our path. We weave through small streets, crisscrossing a cemetery, before heading back towards the city. A quick couple of kilometers each, the runbike is something special, a way for the three of us to explore, to exercise, to appreciate Tokyo and Toshima. We get out in the world and sweat a bit, gradually shedding our layers into the bike basket as we run, and then cool down on the bike, coasting along while chatting with Clara. Or the opposite, a good warm up on the bike and then a quick run to top it off.

Exercising while traveling with a kid has always been one of the hardest things, requiring planks with extra wiggly weight on top, jumping jacks during nap time, or the occasional joint climbing session. It’s good then to have found a different way to share, to do things together as a family. Together we cheer the runner on and admire our small side-street discoveries.

And then, a few blocks from home, Clara declares it her turn to run and gets out to join. Thus they jog the last bit together in the rain, while I coast along behind, warm and happy with what we are building.