NaPoWriMo April 5

I’ve sat down at the computer a little earlier than I normally do, there’s still an hour to go before midnight!  I cycled with my son to a milkshake bar which took us through the local park.  Crocuses are struggling to brighten a cold and overcast day but they mark the ever so slow transition from Winter to Spring.  This is the time when I find my resolution to get fit, again, kicks in.  I’ve had a couple of illnesses which have prevented me from doing exercise for about 9 months and the evidence of my inactivity has gathered around my belly.  Three years ago I did a couple of triathlons and my memory of this and how challenging it was and how fantastic I felt when I’d done one led me to write this.

The decision

 

I can see the evidence that I have done it

the T shirt I proudly

wear each night.

I momentarily stand in front of the mirror

re-reading the words

that raise a private smile

nolhtairt notpiks.

 

I can see the evidence that I have done

nothing since.

it’s there as I catch my profile

and wonder why I allowed that

hard fought for body

to soften and spread

like butter melting

in a flesh coloured bag.

 

But can I motivate myself again?

I know the pain.

Not just of muscles

but of changing normality.

 

Arrangements rearranged.

Family life, friends and colleagues

all affected.

Of how that ‘just a quick run’

is sandwiched between time taken to get ready

and time taken to cool down, shower and change.

 

But the reward!

The ‘I can’t bloody believe I’m doing this!’

Elated by the astonishment of achievement

is mine and mine alone.

The whoop of my caught breath

as adrenalin fired tears prick my eyes.

Knowing that I’m amongst people

who have shared my fights

and we are all together,

doing this crazy thing.

 

For an explanation of the unintelligible words in the last line of the first verse nolhtairt notpiks