Sunset Run

The shadows inched their way down the street and I knew for sure that I would be running soon. I was walking home from the pool when the sun started going down. Not a breath of wind existed and I calmly counted my blessing. Nothing could get me down right now. I just won't do it.
I am young, I am talented, I am healthy. Never mind that cough...it will subside soon enough.

With my hair still wet and tangled, I covered my head with a baseball cap and once again started searching for my headphones. Where did I put those things?

It became clear that I wasn't going to find them anytime soon; looking in places I knew they wouldn't be. So I shoved, manuvered and adjusted Katie's big old cheap uncomfortable clunkers in my ears until at last I found a postition that I thought just might work. Upside down. Lucky for me, they stayed in the entire time.

I ran Otter Trail.
It was slow going at first, but then it was as if the chains around my feet broke and I was set free. I quickly settled into a rythem that suited me well. My breathing slowed, my knees picked up and my stride grew longer. I kept my back straight and my arms swooshed back and forth in perfect time. My fingers dangled as I imagined in my head that I was swimming, pushing the air away from me like water.
Halfway through the route, the road turned to brand new pavement. My nice evening run got even better. Although the fresh black tar smelled like oil, it was like running on cushions. My legs relaxed and any remaining stress in my body melted away.
Coming back around to American River Trail, the sun was just about to disappear below the mountain skyline.
It was beautiful.
I couldn't describe it to you except to say that it was a brillient orange ball, casting pink shadows into the cloud above it.

I was not tired. I did not cough. I said hi to my neighbors that were also enjoying natures beauty.
Finishing the run, I gave it all I had. I wanted to take advantage of my faultless footing and painless body. I wanted to move!
I could barely see where my finish line used to be (my road was repaved last Tuesday). When I crossed it a strange feeling flooded my entire body. It was as if I was moving in slow motion and not really understanding just how fast, or slow, I was going. I became dizzy.
The lightheadedness soon faded and I walked back and forth until at last I was ready.
Ready for what, you ask?
Ready for the last sprint. The sprint up my street. It's steep, but not that long.
Tonight I ran it faster than I think I've ever done it.

Easy to say this was a nice run. Even though I am coughing now...it was so worth it. Sometimes the punishment is worth the crime. I knew running would make me cough. I don't care. In the end I will be healthy because I am a firm believer in the concept of mind over matter.
You can do anything you set your mind to. Like many other children, my father told me this and it's truth has not faded. I think running will make me healthy. It will get rid of my phnemonia.
I can run now. I can.

Outside my window, crickets sing their song.