So, most days, I leave from home at around 645. Some days I am early and some, late. But it is around this time. The idea is that there’s no traffic on the road and I like reaching early and getting a head start. Against who, I am not sure.
Why would I leave home in the first place? Early or late? Cos I cant work at home. If I had my way, I would leave home at 3:45 and reach at 4:15 and get going with things that are supposed to be done. You know, more things get done in the morning. Don’t you?
What is open at that hour? Starbucks close to my place opens at 7 AM. The office is 24 x 7 access, though there’s no AC. Which is ok these days. So, there is someplace to park my ass, get the Internet and get some work done.
Ok, I am digressing.
Coming back. When I leave at around 6:45, I see all these young people trying to get fitter – some are pumping iron, some are doing yoga and a lot of them are running around. I also see older folks that are pretending to work out and whiling away time. You know, in life. And then there are those walkers, employed with the sole purpose of getting the dogs to poop at places where no one can spot em. I also see those scrappy young men cleaning cars. And I see sleepy-eyed guards that often do double shifts. Everyone is part of the scenery.
The only person that catches my eye in all this melee is this girl that is running like her life depends on it.
And no, she’s not the only one running there. People of all ages, shapes, genders, and sizes run. And they run with varying speeds. And with different emotions. Some are calm. Come are huffing and puffing. Some are enthused about the act of running. The scenery I talked about? Each person is part of the scenery. You see them and you ignore them. They are like furniture that you don’t even know you ignored. They are there. To fill the stage for the main hero to come in and perform. Like those filler acts that open for the headliner?
And who is the headliner? The girl I talked about. The girl in Red Shorts. The one that is running like her life depends on it.
For starters, I have this thing for red. The color of C4E. The color of excitement. The color of energy, strength, passion, Coke, blood, danger and lipsticks.
Plus, when she runs, it is a sight to behold. It is an epitome of the beauty of the human body in motion. Don’t confuse her for those fashion models that just look great. This woman is in motion. In action. When she’s running, she’s pushing herself. And her physical limits. It is a spectacle to watch.
Thing is, when she’s running, all you see on her face is this determination for the next stride. You can see that she is trying hard and pushing herself. Unlike a lot of other people that run, she is not smiling. She is not relaxed. She is not taking is easy. She is at it. Hardcore man. You know that this running is taking considerable effort for her. And she is putting in the effort required. Which a lot of people will not. They would give up. Heck, I would give up!
I am of course at a respectful distance and not make her uncomfortable with the staring. But for as long she is in the line of sight, she does not stop running man! I wish I could run like her. I don’t know her name but I do know that theGirlIn Red Shorts is my inspiration. If she can, I can. In fact, if I had the balls to talk to random women, I would walk up to her and ask her to be my trainer.
Irrespective, I need to get back to running (for the umpteenth time). This entire idea of someone running, struggling at it and yet not giving up is an alien concept. I HAVE to be like her. Right now, I get excited about something, I do it for a few days and then I give up. I need to have consistency in what I do. And in when I do and how I do.
Maybe the Girl in Red Shorts is the inspiration?
Regards,
The guy in black short shorts who does not run at all.
Read other #TheGirlIn stories here.