“Lone Ranger” is the word. It’s a word I tease myself with alot . I guess it’s because it describes how I made significant decisions during important seasons of my life and executed my plans all alone.
I’m that lady that wants something, makes plans on how to get it and executes the plans immediately, well without dilly-dallying or consulting anyone and with an unflinching laser focus.
Fortunately, that has worked for me 90% of the time. I get things done faster and on my terms, without having to be slowed down by the collective momentum that comes with moving in groups.
I started long distance walking as a form of exercise during the lock down. I’ve always found walking therapeutic because it opens my mind up. I daydream while walking, I make plans about my future and also process my thoughts. You can guess my preferred style of walking – ALONE. Another thing is that being alone allows me pace myself as I want. That way, I’m not distracted by small talks as I would, if I had company. I also get to enjoy the strong-willed side of me.
I don’t particularly have a route I stick to while walking (trying to avoid being predictable and stalkable ?), so I tend to switch things up a lot. Well, that’s another perk of doing it alone; the fact that I can switch things up on a whim, without having to consult with anyone.
I was lost, deep in the songs on my playlist when I suddenly sensed I was being followed. Followed by three little humans. Two girls and a boy, with the oldest assumably 11yrs. I “sense” this following by their body heat, which is a sharp contrast to the normally cool evening atmosphere that I enjoy. I noticed them walking by my side and consistently stealing glances at me, whispering things to each other.
Initially, I ignored them and continued walking at a brisk pace since they seem harmless but I soon realized they had been ‘walk-running’ all along. Meaning they were walking at a fast pace in an attempt to match my own strides.
“Biola, slow down, you should slow down”, those were the thoughts running in my head. I was supposed to slow down so as to accommodate the pace that their little feet could bear with. Because it is what a decent adult should do. But I didn’t. I had timed myself and set my goal for the day.
“Are you following me?” I ask (Not because I don’t know, but because Yoruba people are supposed to ask only obvious questions ?). They replied “yes, we’ve noticed you usually walk here and we would like to join you tonight”.
This response, communicated in Yoruba, made me smile. I mean, how long have they been watching me? Am I perhaps inspiring someone? Or some people? Some potential leaders of tomorrow? Maybe, maybe not !
“Okay, so if you want to join me, you have to be tough. Do you think you can try that?.”
“Beeni ma” they replied.
“So what we will do is, we will walk to that bend and afterwards jog on the main road” I said.
Jogging is usually not in my routine but I know children are energetic and will fare better jogging than this awkward “walk-running” they are doing beside me.
So we started jogging.
While doing so, I kept giving them instructions. Mainly reminding them to stay off the course of oncoming vehicles and pausing occasionally for the youngest to empty his bladder.
On our way, we passed by a group of young guys who were walking leisurely. I recalled their faces because I see them everyday, at this time and on this route, also working out. From their gait, it is evident that they are tired but for some reason, as we jogged past them, they joined in. They raised chants of encouraging words, aimed at us. We continue jogging together, and we pass two other people – adults- who also joined us.
It didn’t take long before people started to look and point at us. My merry band of eight had drawn attention to ourselves.
Truth be told, I was already tired at this point but I had to keep going because I didn’t want to be the one to dampen the excitement in the children and I also didn’t want it to seem like the chants of the others were falling on deaf ears.
After circling through half of the semi-vast estate, I slowed our pace down to a walk and led us in the direction of the parents of the children. Their parents had been waiting for them. I kinda didn’t want them to leave for I was already enjoying their company.
As I headed back home, I thought about the night and realized many things.
- The first being that, without intending to, I not only accommodated three others in my private exercise – where I was reluctant to even have one person with me, but I also, momentarily altered my plans to suit their capacities and actually relished the experience!
- Surprisingly , I admit to myself that I want to do this again and I’m hoping that tomorrow they would join me just like today. I found myself making a mental note to ply the same route the next time I’m out.
- I realized they were willing to walk with me just as I was willing to be with them. They were willing to make adjustments so as not to slow me down just as I eventually did for them.
- I realized I wouldn’t mind some company after all, as long as both parties are willing to make it work, as long as one side is not slowing down the other, as long as both sides serve as mutual motivators.
I got home, checked my pedometer and realized I had covered about 2,000 steps above my target.
Having these children around definitely didn’t slow me down!! I smiled, trying to recall their names… Alas, I didn’t know it because it didn’t occur to me to ask for it ?. Sigh. I went on my walks on different occasions afterwards, hoping to bump into them, but like the stories always say…. I never met the children again. I’m grateful however, for that one night we got to share.