RACE TO REALITY
by Mary C. Macher
(originally published in Universal Matters, 1999)
“Yes, I am fit and trim and in great shape for this race,” I thought to myself as I left the starting line. “I can do this! This run is no problem for me—nope, not at all.” I smiled in my confidence. The first stretch was flat and continued around corner after corner to an uphill stretch. Piece of cake. On to another uphill stretch. Up and up, on and on, straight to the place where my confidence started to go downhill, sweaty drop by sweaty drop, then puffy breath after puffy breath.
When did I take on this odd forward lean? This not good at all. That finish line has got to be somewhere. Maybe I’ll get a second wind, hopefully more refreshing than the dead air I was experiencing at the moment. Whose idea was this anyway?
Around another corner and there it was—the finish line! When I finally got there, I knew one thing for sure: I was not in the great shape I thought I was. My confidence was non-existent, just like the second wind that I did not get. Someone ran out and gave me a small paper cup of water and asked in an alarming tone of voice if I was okay. By that time, I had already singled out the tree that I would probably crash into. The term tree hugger took on a new and very real meaning to me as I clung there trying to catch my breath.
It is much too embarrassing to reveal my personal results. However, I will say that I have not given up on the idea of doing another race. When I do, I will start that race with more miles of practice runs behind me and maybe a nice tree-lined course ahead of me—just in case.
Animated butterfly by Sevenoaks Art. They have really beautiful animated art that does not cost anything but they do ask that they be acknowledged for the art.
© 2009 M C Macher LLC