I like to run just faster than the fastest person on the track. So far, I have been able to do this everytime. Today, I set out at a good pace and felt good as I passed the others jogging on the track. I noticed a girl running up ahead and I also noticed that I was not approaching her very quickly. Her pace was steady and her blonde pony was pulled tight, most likely for better speed. I quickened my pace to catch up, thinking I could pull ahead, but she really was going fast... I decided that I'd just fall in behind her, and ride her wake. She was small, blonde, with running legs that would look great on the beach. If I followed her closely, and ran like she ran, maybe I could get those great legs. So I followed. She was wearing shorts and a t-shirt, which gave her an advantage over me in my long Nike pants, long sleeved cotton shirt with a t-shirt over it. I imagined myself in her attire, allowing myself to feel the air on my legs and arms. I could go further if I was wearing what she wore. And I'd be happier in her green, rather than my grey and black. The only thing that kept me at a constant ten feet behind her was my height. From what I could tell, I had at least six inches on her, which means she had to take more steps!
As we ran, we were the fastest on the track. I wondered if the walkers that we passed realized that I was intentionally following her. I had to at least keep up, or she would eventually lap me. So, I kept up. Ten feet kept my burning lungs and hot breath, from reaching her easy stride. Ten feet separated a young, carefree student from her follower- a heavy footed woman, breathing hard and burning to succeed. I imagined her fit muscles and joints, absorbing each step with ease and I tried to feel it in my own body. This helped me stay with her. I watched with each stride, as the bottoms of her shoes waved to me, as if to say, "Come on Rene'! Follow close! We don't wanna lose you, girl!". I kept up her pace longer than I could've done it on my own. I wanted to call up to her and ask, "How long are we doing this for?". But even if I had, she wouldn't have known I was speaking to her, for she was unaware that we were even running together. She didn't know that she was my trainer, just for the day. She didn't know that she was taking me two miles around that track.
But even as we ran, the two miles seemed to get further and further from my reach. I was very uncomfortable and barely hanging on. I finally had to give up. My chest was growing tighter with each turn of the track and my legs were feeling lead heavy. I had to let her go. I slowed down to a brisk walk and watched as she lengthened the distance between us. She kept that same steady pace, even though her travelling companion had dropped off. My head surged and I finally felt the sweat hot on my skin. I also felt the defeat. I didn't make it the two miles at the blonde's pace.
I considered for a moment that I was finished, because I couldn't keep up. But then I considered the fact that she hadn't lapped me yet. So I started running again. We weren't that different, her and I. We were both there to travel great distances. And although I couldn't travel as fast, or as far, and I was sure that she had way finer legs, I decided I didn't need to step off the track just yet. I could find my own way.
And so I continued at my own pace and I finished my two miles... and because I was doing it my way, it felt better and I actually enjoyed it.
