I was going through my standard 6 mile run on a Saturday morning. It was Fall and the Sun was already up. I had slept in and I was late. I turned and entered Hershey park from the Kirkwood road side and headed east to the Wilcrest side.
Crowds of runners and cyclists already. I usually prefer to run odd hours to avoid this sort of thing but today I would have to put up with it.
At the quarter mile mark. Among other reasons that I love Hershey park are the quarter-mile markers unobtrusively poking out at the side of the jogging trails. The trail curved and I look back. Way back I see a younger runner just starting out. Probably about 20 years younger, taller, and obviously better suited to running than I am.
An odd thought pops up in my head. Could I beat him to the Wilcrest side? He was way back after all. Why not try it?
At first I barely increase my speed. I sneak a peek back and see he’s gaining on me steadily. Half mile to go. I am still ahead of him somehow. Could I pull this off? Suddenly this gains a new sense of urgency. I “need” to beat him. It has suddenly become imperative.
Quarter mile to go. I start speeding up more. I sneak more peeks. He seems to have noticed what I’m doing and starts going faster and faster! It’s suddenly become a real race. His strides are longer than mine and with each step he gains a little on me. A song lyric pops up in my mind from the song “The fabled hare” by Maddy Pryor.
Tongues pant, hearts thump
Closer closer, through the fields
Teeth snap, bones crack
Closer closer, at my heels
Nearer, yet and nearer
I can see the hunter’s knife
He is running for his dinner
I am running for my life
I no longer need to look back. I can feel him right behind him. I can hear his footsteps. The final fork in the road just ahead. One branch going under the Wilcrest bridge and the other branch up to street level.
Pouring in the last dregs of strength into my legs. I am somewhat surprised to find that actually do have something left. I can’t say that I pulled away but I did keep him at a distance and I reach Wilcrest. He continues on under the bridge giving me a friendly wave.
I walk down the road and try to catch my breath and try to ignore my aching feet.
Near home. A little over a mile left and I’ve recovered. Jogging steadily there is no need for any special effort. I can coast all the way home now. I turn onto Hayes road. A half mile straight road leading to my subdivision. About halfway down the road another jogger. Minding his own business plodding along.
I don’t know what’s gotten into me this morning.
This is too irresistible to me to pass up. Going from the hunted to the hunter. I speed up with barely a thought. Not just to reach but pass this guy up before the turn off. No anxiety this time. I know I will catch and pass him up. I blow past him easily and keep going at full speed all the way home.
I feel energized and pumped. I generally avoid doing this but sometimes I have to try out my strength and see what I can do. As long as I don’t turn it into a habit I don’t think it will be a negative.
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