By Fernie Ruano Jr.
Whether it’s a fellow runner keeping pace with me at Kennedy Park, an old high school hottie across from me at Barnes & Nobles in Coral Gables or a girlfriend standing in line with me at Starbucks, I’m routinely asked the same question over and over again: “What do you do to stay looking so young?”
And before I can answer the question, it is usually followed up with an array of exclamatory compliments ranging from “My God, you don’t age!” to “If I wasn’t married, you would be my best friend!”
No joke. And each one of the compliments, some kind-hearted, some risqué, make me feel a sense of pride, especially as I stare at my 44thbirthday right between the eyes. Yes. Somewhere tomorrow, whether it’s bright and early at my 29-year-old soul mate’s apartment or somewhere in this beautiful city, I will be blowing out candles on a cake in celebration of my 44thbirthday.
And if it’s really a routine day, I will be showing a random girl proof of my age after she smiles at me, makes small talk and asks me “Can I see your I.D.?” I, on the other hand, will probably smile, as I often do, before offering up my I.D. to prove I was born in 1970, not 1981, 1982 or 1983. And I’ll flip open my wallet with the pride and gusto of a man that can make a woman 15 years younger than me smile and ….
For years, I would be the butt of the joke at family gatherings and most of the time it all centered on poking fun at my age and diet regimen. While it always stung a little bit, I would quickly shake it off because I’ve always been very disciplined about keeping a healthy lifestyle and exercise routine.
They would make fun of me because in their eyes I was “way too obsessive” about running and exercising or a combination of both. But for me it’s always been my way of feeling good about myself and keeping a clear mind, which I cleanse each time I go for a long run; something I do four times a week to this day.
And it has nothing to do with attracting a younger woman, which I can still do with little effort. But besides why invest time on the 26-year-old tutor and single mom, when all we have in common is one thing: the bedroom.
It has more to do with days like yesterday, when my nephew and me went out back with the football and played tackle for close to two hours after running routes and fielding punts. Most men my age would be hurting so much today they probably wouldn’t be able to get out of bed.
But yours truly is bouncing around with my I.D. at the ready and gearing up for a 15-mile run later tonight.
Do you want to know more about this 305-reeking, beach-bumming, Cuban food-obsessed dude? Well, then.. You can connect with Fernie @wordbyfernie (Twitter) and Fernie Ruano (Facebook). Who knows? If he really likes you, he might even give you his email.
0 comments:
Post a Comment