Embracing Transition, by Maurice Hines
What an unexpected journey life has been for all of us these past couple of years! Thank you for the chance to share a glimpse of where life has taken me during this time.
In 2019, I found myself dealing with multiple life transitions. Some of the things I cherished seemed to slowly crumble around me. I ended a beautiful relationship, was laid off from my job and lost my dog. My life felt like a country song! Things made a turn around when I landed a dream job in Seattle. Though it was sad to leave home in Portland and my entire circle of friends, it was exciting to move and try out life in a new, bigger city.
Since I didn’t know anyone, I quickly got involved in several social groups, including the Seattle Frontrunners. I was new to running, couldn’t run a mile and felt like a fish out of water. However, I loved the support and camaraderie of the group. It made me feel welcome in this new city of unfamiliar faces. Unfortunately, I only made it to a couple runs before the pandemic started, everything shut down, and I found myself moving back home to Portland and working remotely.
Life felt chaotic at the beginning of the pandemic. With so many things happening politically and the world feeling out of control, I decided to use the quarantine isolation as an opportunity to control what I could and began focusing on my fitness. It started as daily walks to get some fresh air and at least a glimpse of people…even if we were masked and scared to go anywhere near each other. As I noticed runners on my walk, I decided to give it a try. The next thing I knew, I had increased my walking pace and was running short distances. This became a daily routine, and I grew to love an activity that I always hated.
During this time, I met and started dating someone who lived in Seattle. This was ironic, considering that I had just moved away. I eventually found myself moving back the Seattle, to be closer to him. Unfortunately, we broke up the week after I moved back. Though I was hurt to have moved back and not have the relationship work out, I decided to find the positive in the situation. Life seemed to keep drawing me to Seattle for some reason, and I was excited to settle in, and figure out why.
One of the first things I wanted to do was reconnect with the SFR. I showed up at a run, and was shocked that after a year away, there were people who remembered me. Their open arms and genuine excitement made me feel incredibly special and welcome. Suddenly, this new city didn’t seem so unfamiliar.
As I approach my one year anniversary of being back in Seattle, I am amazed at my fitness journey progress. It has been largely due to the support of the SFR. I appreciate that the group is filled with people from various backgrounds and a wide spectrum of fitness levels. They inspire me to stay on my journey, even when I am tired and don’t want to. I never imagined that I would find myself running several half marathons over this past year!
Of course, the fitness aspect is wonderful, but I am even more thankful that members of the group have become my community and chosen family. I could not have navigated this pandemic and all the life changes without a supportive, welcoming social circle that I know is always there for me.
Even through tears and tough transitions, I am so happy that life drew me back to Seattle for a “do over”. I am filled with anticipation and excitement to continue building community and discovering what life has for me here!
Maurice Hines
He/Him
This is Winston, my Bambino Sphynx. His creepy adorableness has provided great company during the isolating times of the pandemic.