Wore a headlamp and a reflective vest. Hoped you’ll make it to the end ‘cause you really wanted that medal. Just a proof that you were thriving in life. Were you though ? ‘Cause you really wanted to cry.
It wasn’t the blisters, or the sore legs. Or the knees (man, the pain went deep). It was the overflow. Couldn’t handle both the cold and the hot guy breaking your heart. Nor the rain and how much you missed your aunt. There, now you had a good reason to cry.
Crying was so relieving but did it make it hard to breathe. Had to stop a few times to find some comfort in the shape of a sandwich. And chips. And chocolate cake (man, the amount of food that fits into that tiny Queshua backpack).
Your muscles got cold and your blisters on fire. But you kept going, despite the pain. Had to go back home one way or the other. ^^ Thought you couldn’t do it anymore, but you did. Counted the steps, meditated, focused on your breath. Surrendered to nature, listened to music, sang.
Questioned your life choices, tried not to lose it, and perhaps had enough of this shit.
Thought you were there but you still weren’t. Was that walk endless but you kept going. Step by step. One foot in front of the other. You stopped tip-toeing around those blisters and stepped right on them. Every single meter felt like torture but every single meter brought you closer.
And there you were. THERE YOU WERE! Back with all your so much faster than you, limping, fainting, dehydrated, exhausted friends. Your soul was light. This heavy thing you were carrying : gone. Man, suffering is in the mind. And man, you gave it your all.
“We’re not doing medals this year!”
Oh shit.
