red light run

My feet hit the pavement and ache. I want that ache. It reminds me of what I do, where I am, of being in the moment. The blisters on the soles of my toes retell of the stubborn details, of the determined stories, of my enduring lust-like relationship with running. I wait till nightfall. The night brings with it a calm, a layer of sweet ambiance, and the darkness is enigmatically my cloak of protection.

My feet begin. Slowly at first. I feel the crinkling of leaves underneath me, the sound of my breath sets my pace, and my mind frees. It sets to zero. I am just myself, pushing against myself. City running is not my first choice, but it has a lure all on its own. I weave in and out of streets, knowing their particular smells and sidewalk routine. If I traverse far enough some nights I end up on offroad trails that leave me muddy and itching for more countryside. Tonight the street lamps guide me for a while. Until they don't. I have indeed traversed far. The road turns desolate, black. I can barely see in front of me. I pick my feet up higher, hoping not to trip on roots. The air smells of murky water and wet grass. My eyes are trying to adjust, but it is just too black. My adrenaline is rushing and I am moving faster than I normally can. The music is singing loudly in my ears and suddenly my shadow appears from the flashing lights of an oncoming bike behind me. I try to race it. Sweat drips on my lip. My tongue licks its saltiness and I am satisfied. Other cars whiz past me from the other direction and my opponent is on my tail. There is a red light in the distance and I know I can take him. I dig deep, turn the volume up and pump my arms. The bike knows my intentions. He must. I run. I run as if this were the race. It is still red and he doesn't seem to be showing signs of breaking. I run. My feet move so quickly underneath me I feel as though I could trip, though my stride is wide, my arms pump and keep my pace just fast enough. In my mind I am challenging myself; I can do this, it is just me. The light turns green, and Mr. Bike doesn't hesitate. I am yards from the light, he speeds up and goes straight through leaving me in the dust, but I don't slow down. I make it to the light and then some with the same speed, turn the corner and just giggle a bit to myself. It was a fun little adventure.

My aches, my sweat, my adrenaline in the obscurity is all mine. I love it out here...the road, the dirt, my feet. My mind is clear. It's time to slow down. It's time to say goodbye for the night, to the night. I look to the stars, to the sky. They know they will see me again.