or: Remebering the Keys Is Only The Beginning

I’ve started to run again. By ‘started’, I mean that I have been out for one run and my legs are still recovering. Tomorrow will be run number two. I figure my legs should be fine by then.

I didn’t run while in Mauritius as I was up at stupid o’clock to go diving. I was told I needed to be earlier than clients to help prepare tanks etc as part of my Divemaster training. It was good fun and I like being up at that time as long as I’ve had enough sleep. Since I’d rather not run in the afternoon, that’s siesta time, I didn’t end up running at all.

I also ate quite a bit.

Now I’m in Cyprus and am able to get up at a more leisurely time, I decided it was time to begin the running habit again.

I’m staying with a friend and we went to have keys cut so I’d have my own set.

Arriving home, we tested them in the front and back doors (with the other keys still in and while the doors were open) and found that we had an additional backdoor key and were missing a front one. Back to the store to have the front door key cut, back home to test it and I was all set.

The keys both worked. Even when there were still keys in the hole on the other side.

As normal, before going to bed, the doors were locked and the keys left in.

Waking bright and early the following day, the sky was a stunning shade of blue, and there was a slight breeze. Perfect first day of running again weather.

I dressed and headed out wearing my hat and keys in my pocket.

No phone.

It was only ever going to be a short run as I need my calves to become use to running in these ‘shoes’ again and going for a long run causes damage.

I ran my predetermined path (thanks to the same friend who showed me some places I could go while we were in the car the day prior) and then walked for a bit to keep my heart rate up while giving my calves a bit of a break.

Arriving home, I put the key in the front door and turned it.

Well, I tried to turn it.

It didn’t turn.

I tried again.

Same response.

I swapped keys.

Same again.

I walked to the back of the house to try the back door.

Same.

Lightbulb moment – They mustn’t work if the door is closed and keys are in the other side… 

I knew my friend was either still asleep or relaxing upstairs as the blinds downstairs were still down.

I went to the front patio by the pool and sat on the outdoor couch, took off my shoes and contemplated life, happiness and what my plans for the rest of the year would be as the pool filter hummed and the noodles floated around. I thought how handy it would be to leave a notebook and pen outside. I also covered how thankful I was not to be needing the bathroom right then and the good weather.

And laughed (quietly) at how it is possible to be locked out even when you have the keys.

 

* Thanks to Rose Cousins for the title to this post.