Mile 8

It’s an interesting feeling. Freeing. Intense. Calm.

Getting back in shape is tiring. Running, and running, and running some more. Bad run after bad run with no stopping or relief. It’s a hard thing to run through. But persistence gives way to the sweet feeling of strength and grace.

That feeling of being on mile 8, with the sweat of miles past on your shirt and brow, you keep focus ahead on the path that shrinks around the bend. No longer are you counting down the steps the minutes to the end. You look ahead instead for a farther goal. You can trust your legs, your self to carry you not to the finish, but really anywhere. You look down and see your feet – one two, one, two, one, two –over and over the song of the sidewalk sung with your shoes, unique to you.

The created wind on your face, ever changing with your pace is a reminder of your power and a display of your grace. With the care of a nurse, as self trained you may be, you take a quick diagnosis of your body, muscles, lungs, joints, insides. When the results come back all clear a smile creeps across your face. Shoulders back, hips forward, strides long. The day is back, you are once again a runner. You look down at your legs, powerful and strong, knowing they can handle it.

You press on, at that moment nothing can stop you.