The Run

Breathe. Step. Breathe. Step.
Count…one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight…all the way to 800.
Uphill now, not so steep yet. Shift to high knees and running on toes.
Up, up, up, almost to the top.
Flowing, floating, flying, falling, sticking, swimming, pushing, pulling.
Heartrate monitor says 156. Need to slow down, dizzying 160.
Breathing.
Moving.
Finally flat, level ground.
Breathe. Step. Breathe. Step.
Memories gone blank.
Clothes damp, the sweat no longer cools.
Sunglasses dripping.
Ice has melted, the water is slowly warming. But still wet as I sip.
The sun blazes. The air stands still and watches as I rush past.
Breathe. Step. Breathe. Step.
Regrets forgotten.
Downhill now, let my legs stretch.
Heartrate drops.
Transient reprieve.
Mind focused on the breath. Mind focused on the step.
Miles have passed. Miles to come.
Sweet release in the moment.
800 now. Another mile gone. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight…
Anxieties calmed.
Don’t ever stop.
Breathe. Step. Breathe. Step.
800 now.
One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight…
