Wednesday was a tough day. I was not at my best as a teacher and I battled. Emotionally, I wasn't coping with one particular student; this then affected me physically and I just had to get out of there. ASAP.
The train ride home was tough. I got cabin fever-y and needed to get off. After a quick walk home, I got into comfy clothes and lay down on our bed. I turned to the internet to try and distract me from the issues of the day. I could have easily curled up and napped until Nix got home, but I really didn't want to. I'm an efficient power napper, but I wanted to make sure that I went to bed early that night, ready for a fresh start. Instead, in an amazing burst of energy, I jumped up, put on my runners and some good music on my iPod shuffle and headed out the door for a run.
What happened next was unexpected. I left thinking it was going to be a nice, casual, relaxing jog - a chance to sort out some things I needed to think over. But the crisp Winter air and setting sun sparked something different in me. I'd had to wait until the satellites were found for my watch, and just as they clicked into place thousands of kilometres above my head, the shuffle in my ears changed over to a song with a fast beat. Instinctively, my legs started moving with the rhythm, my feet hitting the concrete in perfect timing with the drummers feet on the bass drum. I was moving. No thinking. Just moving. Nothing was important apart from getting to the finish line as fast as I could. I flew down the slopes. It was as if the uphills were flat. People walking their dogs were moving to the side, desperate not to be run over. Each song fitted perfectly with my cadence and nothing was slowing me down.
My fingers were numb with cold, but you don't need fingers to run. Oppositely, my head burned red hot inside its woolen beanie, but to take it off would mean losing time, and there was none that could be lost. Each kilometre, the watch on my wrist would emit a tiny beep, barely audible over the tunes in my ears. A quick glance down would show me that a kilometre wasn't even taking me 4 minutes. Keep. Moving.
There are brief moments from the run that I can vaguely recall now. A fox out for a twilight hunt, it's red fur making it clearly visible against the vivid green of the park. The tangy smell of chlorine as I made my way around the public pool. A small girl hopping through muddy puddles, still lying stagnant after weekend rain.
But none of these really sunk in. Usain Bolt could have come past riding on a unicorn and I wouldn't have blinked. Keep. Moving.
The final corner turns onto a slow 250m incline. On any other day it's a point that makes your legs feel like they've suddenly been dipped in cement. Not today. A final glance of my watch. 150m to go. Keep. Moving. 100m. Just get to the bus stop. 50m. Almost there. 40. 30. 20. 10.
Beep.
Done. Timer stopped, hands on head. 5km over and done with. But long did it take?
I look down.
19.08.
I can't believe it. Less than 20 minutes. Never before have I run at such a speed. My heart is still racing from the exercise but it also pumps a little harder due to excitement. I walked a little recovery lap, back straight, shoulders up and head held high.
What an end to a difficult day. A day where I questioned my knowledge, my abilities, my career. To finish by accomplishing something in an activity that I know I'm good at was an incredible feeling.
And it made me think. How much faster can I go?
The train ride home was tough. I got cabin fever-y and needed to get off. After a quick walk home, I got into comfy clothes and lay down on our bed. I turned to the internet to try and distract me from the issues of the day. I could have easily curled up and napped until Nix got home, but I really didn't want to. I'm an efficient power napper, but I wanted to make sure that I went to bed early that night, ready for a fresh start. Instead, in an amazing burst of energy, I jumped up, put on my runners and some good music on my iPod shuffle and headed out the door for a run.
What happened next was unexpected. I left thinking it was going to be a nice, casual, relaxing jog - a chance to sort out some things I needed to think over. But the crisp Winter air and setting sun sparked something different in me. I'd had to wait until the satellites were found for my watch, and just as they clicked into place thousands of kilometres above my head, the shuffle in my ears changed over to a song with a fast beat. Instinctively, my legs started moving with the rhythm, my feet hitting the concrete in perfect timing with the drummers feet on the bass drum. I was moving. No thinking. Just moving. Nothing was important apart from getting to the finish line as fast as I could. I flew down the slopes. It was as if the uphills were flat. People walking their dogs were moving to the side, desperate not to be run over. Each song fitted perfectly with my cadence and nothing was slowing me down.
My fingers were numb with cold, but you don't need fingers to run. Oppositely, my head burned red hot inside its woolen beanie, but to take it off would mean losing time, and there was none that could be lost. Each kilometre, the watch on my wrist would emit a tiny beep, barely audible over the tunes in my ears. A quick glance down would show me that a kilometre wasn't even taking me 4 minutes. Keep. Moving.
There are brief moments from the run that I can vaguely recall now. A fox out for a twilight hunt, it's red fur making it clearly visible against the vivid green of the park. The tangy smell of chlorine as I made my way around the public pool. A small girl hopping through muddy puddles, still lying stagnant after weekend rain.
But none of these really sunk in. Usain Bolt could have come past riding on a unicorn and I wouldn't have blinked. Keep. Moving.
The final corner turns onto a slow 250m incline. On any other day it's a point that makes your legs feel like they've suddenly been dipped in cement. Not today. A final glance of my watch. 150m to go. Keep. Moving. 100m. Just get to the bus stop. 50m. Almost there. 40. 30. 20. 10.
Beep.
Done. Timer stopped, hands on head. 5km over and done with. But long did it take?
I look down.
19.08.
I can't believe it. Less than 20 minutes. Never before have I run at such a speed. My heart is still racing from the exercise but it also pumps a little harder due to excitement. I walked a little recovery lap, back straight, shoulders up and head held high.
What an end to a difficult day. A day where I questioned my knowledge, my abilities, my career. To finish by accomplishing something in an activity that I know I'm good at was an incredible feeling.
And it made me think. How much faster can I go?