I Pimped Out My Garmin.

Sigh. Garmie and I connected in a positive, loving way about a year or so ago. We have gotten soooo close through our runs together. Through the heat, rain and insects...through the early morning dawn, thunder storms and spider webs. We've loved each other. So many times it was just us. There were times when he'd just conk out on me right in the middle of a fantastic run. I never got too mad, I'd just replace the batteries lovingly, accepting the tear filled apologies. I'd whisper that the little things were easy to let go since he'd never failed me when I really needed him.

Then last summer my running took a nosedive. Garmie was there. I had to cut so many runs in half. Garmie stayed anyway. I lost sight of my goals but Garmie refused to be put away. The guilt of watching Garmie day after day, not able to track my runs anymore were too much.

Then one morning on a shorty run with Elizabeth, I realized her 3 mile run was closer to 3.5 miles. She had measured her loop by driving it, as we all have done. I looked at Garmie. His face lit up. OH the little timer needed to feel needed again! Who was I to hold him back??? Why cause this kind of pain??? With all the love for my Garmie in my heart, I called out to Elizabeth. I told her Garmie let me know her 3 miler was off a bit. She was surprised, but didn't seem to let it bother her. But Garmie and I knew what this could mean on her 14 miler she had planned for that weekend. It could mean a couple extra miles! NO!!!!!!!!!!!

"Take Garmie on your long run this weekend Elizabeth", I said as I removed him from my wrist.
"No, that's ok...I can recheck the route" she answered.
"Please take him, just while I am off the road for awhile." And I proceeded to show Elizabeth how to work him. The entire time I was giving her the instructions, I knew she'd fall for him, just as I had. They needed each other.

That was about 5-6 weeks ago. Elizabeth keeps offering to give him back but I wasn't ready. I couldn't even get out of bed most mornings, never mind trying to meet his needs. But Elizabeth could. Elizabeth has. Garmie must be loving her. She's doing some major mileage on her training for her first marathon. I think of him often, wondering if I'd know when the time would be right to take him back. Would he send me some kind of message???

Oh yes. Garmie loves me still. Elizabeth had a 16 miler about a week ago. She told me she glanced down to check her pace and saw that Garmie's face was blank. Nothing. No emotion, not even a blink! I know what you're thinking...his battery died. Maybe...maybe NOT. Maybe this is the sign I've been waiting for!!! He's calling me back! He knows I've had a couple decent short runs and he wants me back!!!!

The time is right. We will be reunited by this weekend. I know Elizabeth will understand. I plan to let them be friends. There will be times when they'll need each other and I will gladly give them visitations. I'm glad Elizabeth was there to help garmie get through my time off, but when all is said and done, Garmie and I belong together. And together we will be!!!!!

PS. How long before I can erase all their run history from the memory?????....LOL