We stood in the parking lot in a semi-circle nervously chatting as we awaited Nancy’s arrival. Since I’m socially disabled (I’m going to another group for that), I don’t do much other than nod my head at the new girl talking to me about something I have no interest to hear. Rudy Clap Guy starts to clap and cheer as he spots the blonde cloud of frizz bouncing with every step she runs. Wait…she’s running?!
Out of breath, Nancy holds up her hand and doubles over trying to catch her breath. “Oh…thanks…so…much,” she huffs. Resting a hand on her hip and dabbing sweat from her forehead with her hot pink wristband, she beamed at us. “I just ran 3 miles!” We all clap, even me. We all looked at one another and smile and nod at Nancy’s accomplishment. “Today, we are going to start the first leg of our journey. All it takes is one foot in front of the other. Now, we are going to start slowly but if you feel like you can do more—then go for it. Just remember….you are the tortoise.”
We stretch for a bit and we begin to walk. By 10 minutes in I am ready to go faster. I can do this, I think side glancing Ms. Talks A Lot. Let’s just see how far I can go. My feet start moving faster. My body feels good. Is this what running feels like? I can’t believe I’m running! This is amazing! But…wait…wait…what’s happening? My lungs—they feel like they’re on fire. My leg--what's that pain? Oh no! Oh no! I didn’t notice I had sort of melted onto the grassy median of the parking lot until I heard Rudy Clap Guy yell, “B.R.A member down! B.R.A member down!” Sigh. I so didn’t channel the tortoise.
Sunday night I slept all of 3 hours out of the 7 I had actually allotted. The other 4 I tossed and turned rolling over the excitement about my journey. When I woke up after a fitful sleep I was itching to put on my workout gear and get moving…but that’s not very tortoise like of me now is it? On one hand, I’m ready to go—which is great. On the other hand, I am ready to go—which is not that great. I believe we discussed this problem I have once before. I’m a Hare by nature. I explode out of the starting gate and by mid-turn I’m like “Fagettaboutit.” But this time I want it to be different. This time I actually want to see the goal. I need to learn to pace myself.
My energy is subsiding somewhat. I have more butterflies (now) than I do energy. Part of me is wondering if I’ll really make it (I’m sure that’s the flea bag Hare talking), and the other part (that’s the tortoise) is wondering why wouldn’t I make it. Just imagine a plump rabbit on one shoulder and a stubby little tortoise on the other. Sigh. Well…all it takes is one foot in front of the other—no one said that had to be at full speed. Wish me luck!
The Runner
No comments:
Post a Comment