the first mile
The thump of my heels on the sidewalk.
The splash of my water into my parched mouth, and on the back of my neck.
The smell of freshly-cut grass.
The distant drone of a lawnmower.
The nearby buzz of a leafblower.
The cool shade of an oak tree.
The diesel exhaust of a truck that passes.
The warm rush of air in the draft of the truck.
The swirl of dust and leaves.
A quick wave to another runner, coming toward and passing me.
Pushing myself to keep running up a gentle incline that feels like a mountain.
“Passed one mile in twelve minutes, thirteen seconds.”
The first mile is always the hardest.
Nine weeks after I hurt myself, five weeks after I wondered if it was an injury I’d never recover from, and two weeks after I started seriously rehabbing it, I’ve been back on the road every couple of days, going a little farther each time, running a little longer without stopping, making my comfort zone a little bigger.
Today, I ran a little over 5280 feet in about 12 minutes, but this particular first mile took about three months.
The interrogation of my dogs when I return to my house.
Their tails wagging against my legs when I gently push them away.
Their noses on my shoulders when I sit down to stretch.
A cool glass of water.
The fizz of an electrolyte tablet.
Catching my breath.
Sweat running down my back, down my face, down my arms.
The heaviness of exhausted leg muscles.
The joy of finishing the first mile, which, if measured in actual time distance and, was much longer.
newest »
Makes me want to start running thanks Wil!
Brother, I love running journeys. My own was so transforming and started over three years ago after a visit to the hospital for an acute asthma attack--something that I expected every few years. I was unhealthy, heavy, unhappy, and smoked.
And, nearly no one believed I could do this thing called running. People actually laughed me. I lost friends because I get healthy and I was committed.
To date, I have run 15 half marathons, 2 full marathons, and numerous 5ks and 10ks, and those don't count the endless training runs in all weather, at all times of night, even round and round and round an indoor gym track 97 times in order to get my long run in when the weather is too dangerous.
I am so thrilled for you. Because that FIRST MILE NEVER CEASES TO BE THE MOST IMPORTANT MILE.
Go, Will, Go! :)
Running keeps me sane. Thanks for this! Now if it would just warm up above zero I would be a happy runner!
