My feet rhythmically struck the concrete to propel my body forward through the heavy air. A dog barked as it ran through the field to my right. A young child squealed with delight as his father spun him around on a tire swing in the front yard. A passerby smiled and said “hello” as we recognized that we were both hearing, seeing, and feeling the same things.
I refocused myself on my (rather laborious) breathing and my (loud, but motivating) music. The things around me had served as a temporary distraction from the physical uncomfortableness that results from strenuous activities like running. The breathing and the music always have helped me to make it through and to reach that state of mind where nothing else exists.
The the air, thick with humidity, and the blistering sun caused sweat to drip into my eyes–but it didn’t matter. The hellos, the squeals, the barks, the rhythm, the music, the breathing all kept my focus where it needed to be. And that’s what I loved about that morning run.
Note: This is part of the Slice of Life Story challenge hosted by Two Writing Teachers. Head on over there to find other teachers writing to improve their craft, as well as great ideas about teaching writing.
