Treadmill
Running sure is an excellent way to keep in shape. You can do it anywhere and don’t need a whole lot of equipment. It’s just you, some comfy clothes, a decent pair of shoes, and you’re all set. You can do it at any age, any skill level, and you’ll get a good workout regardless.
But what if you can’t go outside? What if you can’t run open and free, taking whatever paths you want? Well, the miracles of technology have come up with a solution: the treadmill. A conveyor belt that, in theory, can make you run forever and not travel a single inch. Progress is not as much on getting from point A to point B as getting a specific mileage or running for a particular amount of time. They’ve got all those fancy timers and trackers, plus you can usually edit the speed and incline. For what it’s worth, it’s a great way to keep fit with an exercise you know and love.
The funny thing about treadmills is the amount of distance you really are traveling. If that belt magically extended itself for every step you took, well, then you might even be able to reach the Moon at some point. Your muscles certainly feel like you took the actual distance. But what about your displacement in the world? Physically, the moment you step on that treadmill, you’re basically staying in that one spot for your entire workout, like jogging in place. If fitness is all that’s on your mind, then this is of no issue.
If only you could really experience the distance that running can get you. If only you could feel the space separating you from what’s chasing you. If only you could indeed run away from what’s behind.
But you can’t do that on the treadmill. No matter how hard you try, you will always stay in that same position. The jaws will still snap at your heels. The looming presence behind you will never go away.
On the treadmill, you can never run away.
You can’t escape.
You have to face what’s coming for you.
i don’t want to
i’m terrified of it. i’m stubborn
i want to keep running away, even if it’s pointless
let me go
