Slow as a Snail?

Off stage, the Sun waits a smidge below the horizon

Sweet slumber rocks my cradle

’Til my timepiece alarms me

Frees me from chaotic dreams

My eyes pop open like a celluloid doll

Up and out of bed I spring

With places to go; people to see; things to do

Parkrun! Oh what fun!

*

Creeping about like a thief in the gloom

I yawn widely into the solitude

Good manners stay tucked up in bed

Alongside the oblivious household

Snugly snoozing on a Saturday sleep-in.

Tiptoeing across the chilly floor

Second thoughts skitter through my sluggish mind

Should I shun parkrun?

*

Treacherous thought!

Rome wasn’t built that way

Shirking, not working!

I will never clock up

One hundred and fifty runs

By lounging around the house

Lace up those shoes; not a minute to lose!

Parkrun… here I come.

*

Insanity!

It’s the heart of our Aussie winter

A frigid breeze teams up with clear skies

Gazing down on green grass titivated with frost

Naturally, not a single snowflake

Floats, melts nor makes an appearance

Regardless! My fingers are numb, my nose is chilly!

Parkrun has barely begun.

*

A glossy black Labrador pulls his boy along, on a lead

Energetically, I tackle a hill

Until safely past the photographer’s lens

Then, any semblance of bounce dissipates

A speedy walker matches my jog; pace for pace for pace

I don’t seem to be winning this race

Focus! Fitness is the focus!

Parkrun is for everyone.

*

My fingers thaw out on the second lap as

Annie Lennox wonders “Who’s that girl, running around with you?”

My strides match the music motivating me

Pouring into my receptive ears

but the answer to Annie’s question eludes me

We cross the finish line with a short spurt of speed

Then… a chat and coffee liberally mixes with endorphins

We’re done, until next Parkrun!

*

Inspired by a winter parkrun through Toowoomba’s Queens Park. 430 intrepid participants endured enjoyed the experience.

Another parkrun experience: