When Bridgit first noticed me at a triathlon-run training session in Sydney’s Mosman, it wasn’t my face or smile that caught her attention. It was my legs. She saw me sprinting past as she was stretching on the grass, and she was instantly intrigued. She even exclaimed to the woman next to her, “I need to meet those legs!” And those legs belonged to me.
Bridgit, confident and fit, approached me with a cheeky smile and mesmerizing eyes. At first, I was awkward and unsure how to respond to such a lovely compliment. But as we continued to interact at training sessions, my awkwardness slowly disappeared. We eventually made plans to travel together for a triathlon championship in Nelson Bay, which was quite an intense date as we had three hours each way in the car together.
This road trip was the beginning of many adventures we embarked on together to compete in triathlons. I always chuckled nervously at the thought of spending hours on the Pacific Highway with Bridgit, as it seemed to be where our most intense conversations took place. Bridgit had a way with words and emotions, and her warmth and kindness made it easier for me to open up and share my deepest thoughts and feelings with her.
As time went by, I began to panic. What if Bridgit only saw me as a training partner? I couldn’t bear the thought of that. Bridgit had her preferences when it came to food and cleanliness, and she loved rugby, tennis, and running. Even though running was not my favorite form of exercise, she made an effort to share it with me, and we often ran together.
One chilly but sunny Sunday morning in early August, we ran along the Mosman to Cremorne harborside route. As we jogged side by side, enjoying the warmth of the sunlight and the beautiful scenery, I had a realization. Bridgit was more than just a training partner to me. I was in love with her, and I wanted to be by her side for the long run.
Months went by, and we continued to cycle, swim, and spend countless hours together on the road. It was during New Year’s Eve that I finally gathered the courage to tell Bridgit how I felt. We played tennis and went for a run before meeting for dinner at my place. As midnight approached, I grew more and more anxious. What if Bridgit didn’t feel the same way? What if she only saw me as a friend? The thoughts tormented me, but I knew I couldn’t let her go without expressing my love.
In the last few minutes of 2002, with my heart pounding, I finally confessed my love to Bridgit. To my immense relief, she already knew and was just waiting for me to be ready to say it. The mix of emotions overwhelmed both of us, and we shared laughter and tears. We melted into each other’s embrace, sealing our love with a passionate kiss. The next morning, as we met for a run, there was an undeniable spark in our steps.
Our relationship grew as we continued to tackle longer triathlon and running events together. We completed marathons in Canberra and Gold Coast and even took on the challenge of the Comrades ultramarathon in South Africa in 2004. We matched each other’s pace for the grueling 87km, supporting each other every step of the way. It felt like a symbolic act of commitment. If we could endure that race and still be by each other’s side, we could overcome any obstacle together.
We crossed the finish line of the ultramarathon together, arms raised, basking in the applause of the crowd. It was a moment reminiscent of a married couple exiting a church after a wedding ceremony. The 10 hours and seven minutes we spent on that course solidified our bond and proved that we were a team in every sense of the word.
Almost 20 years have passed since then, and though our runs are slower and less frequent now, the miles we’ve covered together have created a deep and unbreakable connection. I still adore Bridgit with all my heart, and she still loves my legs. Our love story is one of enduring love, shared passion, and the joy of running side by side.
Graham Creed is a farmer and former ABC weather presenter. His memoir “Weatherman Goes Bush” is available through Allen & Unwin.
Share Your Experience
Do you have a romantic realization you’d like to share? Whether it’s a quiet domestic scene or a dramatic revelation, Guardian Australia wants to hear about the moment you knew you were in love. Share your story with us, and your responses, which can be anonymous, will be secure as the form is encrypted. Only the Guardian has access to your contributions, and we will only use the data for the purpose of this feature. Your personal data will be deleted once it is no longer needed for this purpose. If you prefer true anonymity, please use our SecureDrop service instead.
Denial of responsibility! Vigour Times is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
