FOOTSTEPS

Some friends of mine have been taking time to get together and write. It's something of a nerdy literary game night, but there's vodka and wine so it, at least, seems cool. There's an implied circle of trust there that allows us to express a certain amount of vulnerability when we write and share our pieces. We use word and visual prompts, along with a number of other tools to make the game more interesting and work our brains just a little bit more than your average writing prompt. Last night one of the final prompts of the night was a Timed 2 Minute piece using the word prompt "footsteps".

Since I so often post about my journey as a runner, I thought this might be an appropriate place to share one of my blurbs from our Writing With Friends Wednesday (we're working on the name). And so, without further needless rambling, I present to you: 

Footsteps.

 

The cadence is soft. Or sometimes loud when she's tired. Or lazy. The sun comes up. She gets lost in her stride. Lost in her gait. Lost in thought or the absence of it. The air gets warm. She breaks a sweat. She's lost in being drenched. In feeling strong. As her footsteps pound the pavement.

Well, now that it's written out, it seem so insignificant. I promise, two minutes is not as long as you think! Either way, it's true and it speaks to my heart. It definitely motivated me through four miles this morning. Just me and the sound of my feet!

Back on track: integrity.

I set out for a slow six miles today. The 'long run' of the week on my training schedule. Early on, I saw trouble. I began to negotiate with myself; switch songs, slow down, there's almost a downhill, hold on. It didn't work, I was approaching a point on my trail where left would take me back to my starting point with a four mile finish and a right turn would accomplish my goal of six. As I approached the fork in the road, I evaluated myself: I could finish four strong and feel impressive OR I could run a weak six and accomplish what I set out to do. Integrity is what you do when no one is watching. I turned right. It was slow and I battled with myself and my pain and my breathing but I finished. I did what I set out to do. No shortcuts, no excuses. Six miles in the bag. Doing what you say you will do is the action of a strong person. Weak run or strong, I did what I set out to do. That's the action of a strong person. I can feel good about that.