Hills and History

COVID-19, “The Rona Era”

I wanted to mix up my run this morning and run in a place I haven’t been in a while. What popped in my head was Bunker Hill Monument in Charlestown. And today I see my pelvic floor Physical Therapist. Running before PT would be a good indicator for how therapy is working. Last week when I saw her I didn’t run the morning of our appointment. Today I a.m.

I left the Iowan’s house at 5:50a.m. thinking I’ll be in Charlestown by 6:10 a.m. But no. There was a traffic back up on I-93 South, at 5:50a.m. I was pissed. GPS was telling me I would get to Charlestown at 6:30, then it changed to 6:40 a..m. Totally ridiculous. Even with the shortcut , off the highway I took, I still didn’t get there until 6:40a.m.

Besides that annoyance, I asked myself, what was my hurry. It was 60 degrees in the morning and I don’t have anywhere to be until my 10:30a.m. appointment. I needed to calm my shit down.

Once parked and with my self reflection, I started to run. I was running on the back end of Charlestown- which is were public housing is and it’s close to Everett, Massachusetts. Once you go up the hill towards Bunker Hill, the racial and social class of gentrification are very clear.

I made my way up the hill towards Bunker Hill. I did see three woman, running together towards Bunker hill as well. All the people who had dogs were out this morning in their “ dog “ group around the park. I did my loop around the hill, twice before I made my way towards Everett and Somerville- the area where I had parked my car. I ran for two miles before my friend Beverly had called me. I tried to talk and run but I couldn’t do it. So I walked and talked with her for the next two miles plus.

It was such a lovely, perfect morning to be outside and moving.