Living in Fairview, I have yet to run on the local high school track, it seemed like a good idea to try it out. I needed to do 4 X800s with warm ups and downs.
I arrived at the high school and was met with the twinge of unfamiliarity. The track encircled the foot ball field on which there was a group of men milling around. As I approached the gate I realized that they were marking the field for an upcoming football game. Mowers spray carts and string lines were being drawn. A large cut out of a G was being pulled from a barn as the men and young men brought the field to life.
I ran my track work, trying to remain unnoticed, or atlease out of their way. I had a job to do and it was tough business and I needed to get through it. My nose was filled more and more with the smell from their spray cans as the shirtless foootball players stooped over the numbers, the hiss and rattle of the cans. The white clouds of paint blowing in the wind.
It was good to see them out there, preparing. I was preparing too... As I finished my fourth 800 several of the men made a point to catch my eye and raise a hand in helo. One of the boys shouted, "I like that runnin' and those shoes, you're a beast!" I thanked him, and awkwardly mentioned that my shoes were pretty light, not to mention bumble bee yellow and black.
I am back and ready to move forward with my training.
