A Better Time

“Are you awake?” I whisper hopefully, into the early morning gloom. Despite curtains completely closed and a room as silent as a tomb, I detect a faint glimmer of light… there, next to her pillow. Nice! Our rowdy cat has already woken her with raucous NOW, NOW, NOWs. Cradling my gladsome news — like a dresden china figurine — I steal into her room.

“Mmmm?” Comes the drowsy response. No further encouragement is needed. Instantly, I tap her quilt-covered shoulder.

“Hey… want to hear some good new?” Without waiting for an answer, I press on, “I need to leave soon. I promise I‘ll be quick. You can fall straight back asleep…”

Breathing suspended, I await the answer I need want to hear, right now. Eons hours moments tick by. I’m angled, ready to rouse her with a bump of the bed when, “Sure,” floats upwards.

“Look!” I demand, with barely suppressed excitement. The brightness of the iPad’s screen has been considerately tamed, minimising impact on her barely cracked open eyes.

“What?” comes the befuddled response.

“The Challenge! I can’t believe I actually placed in The Rule Everyone Knows Challenge! I meant to delete the story, but forgot to… it didn’t really go anywhere. Only one person commented on it… ever supportive Dharrsheena, of course. Can you believe that it actually placed?” The torrent of words pour out of me, swamping my barely, conscious daughter.

“Nice. Well done…” I’m impressed how well she rallies and strings the words together. Admirable, in the circumstances. What a daughter! I can always usually count on her.

Suddenly, I’m aware of precious seconds and minutes slipping by. My tight schedule resurfaces on my radar. Over a gobbled breakfast, I’d accidentally caved into temptation and taken a quick squiz at Vocal, before heading out. I’m easily derailed!

Now, I’m running late. Grabbing my gear, I dash to my waiting car. Cap; air-pods; tissues; shoes; compression socks and water bottle. Oops, where’s my phone? The roller door rumbles upwards as I hurl myself into the driver’s seat. Car keys would be handy! I race to retrieve them.

Euphorically, I drive and warble along to lively music on my Exercise playlist. Nothing dampens my mood. But… what a difference two precious minutes make! Just two cars ahead of me, the last off-street car parking, slot fills. Not to worry. I cheerily zip into one of a handful of vacant spots remaining on the street.

Next, I lace up my shoes and hustle over to a friendly tree. Leaning against its cool, solid trunk, I launch into some warm-up stretches. Legs swing like pendulums, this way and that, to and fro. Arms reach for the clouds. Like a perpetual Jack-in-the-box, I pop up and down on tip-toes.

Back when I was young, this rubbish routine was unheard of and unnecessary. Life was much simpler back then! A fleeting half century later, it’s well worth it — for this injury-prone body — the tedium of looking like an idiot in highly unflattering, exercise garb. We’re all shapes, sizes, ages and abilities. No-one bats an eyelid. We’re all either in our own cocoon — oblivious to the bedlam around us — or cheerily chatting with friends, family and barking dogs.

Soon, we’re champing at the bit, watches primed, waiting for 7:00 am. A perfect start to the day weekend! And we’re off… at the speed of a thousand turtles, as my dear Daddio was so fond of quipping. Yes, that’s my typical pace. But, hey… at least I’m faster than a fence post. That’s a proven fact! I’ve checked.

The effect of my earlier good news, courses through my veins… awesome adrenaline. I bound along, weaving between sleep deprived participants and their highly distractible dogs, who dart from park bench to power pole. I run solo, time challenged enough without my dawdling dog’s help. Wafting mist invigorates. Volunteers cheer from strategic vantage points. We reciprocate — clapping, smiling and thanking them — as we pass on by.

Still hugging today’s ‘sweet surprise’ close to my heart, my legs pump in time to Good Charlotte’s “I Just Wanna Live”. Like Hermes of old — feet shod in talaria — I take flight. Before I know it, the short home stretch looms. Ahead, a little boy outruns his feet and trips over. Barely missing a stride, his dad helps him scramble across the line. Then, I’m done. Stopwatch halted. Yes! Almost my best time in two long years… a mere 5 seconds slower.

Amicable chatter floats on the brisk breeze like rainbow coloured bubbles and every bit as enjoyable.

Later, resting at home — studying parkrun statistics, as I do — I’m delighted to discover, I ran 400m further than previously, at my faster time. Vocal’s good news continues fizzing in my veins! Another win! I’m back on track — sights set on faster times, improved fitness and better health.

*

As for my parkrun statistics — clearly — I should minimise zigzagging and only run 5km. Just think of the time I’ll save!

*

My story which placed in a challenge and turbo boosted me:

Written for the challenge below: