Pounding Pavement

The toughest competition you'll ever face is yourself.

Pounding across dew kissed pavement

Rhythmic tunes dictating the pace

Each step an indication

Of mawkish and selfish retaliations

Born against this life’s dark and depressing aggravations

Drenched in a shower of glorious morning rays

The most luscious sensation revitalizes tired legs

Every fiber in my being is pelted with wild fire

Oh how I love this invigorating pain!

Always pushing farther than mind and body allow

With each rapid heart beat it all becomes so clear

This is the time

This is my time

To prove my self worthy

To prove my story is worthy of remembrance

Because out here while pounding pavement

My competition…

Is the reflection in the mirror.

Author's Note

The picture is of my friend Karin and me at practice this morning - we were about to fall over laughing at an inside joke when this picture was taken. Karin is a cancer survivor and one of the reasons I participate with TNT. To learn a little more visit my team page: http://pages.teamintraining.org/oswim/portland13/kristingartner

Thanks for reading! Reviews always welcome.

Reviews

[Petra Vlah]

"My competition…
Is the reflection in the mirror".
Just beautiful - competing with self every day to be a better person, a better friend, a better human

[Kristin Lee]

Exactly! Always striving to be the best version of yourself.

[s y e]

"This is the time
This is my time
To prove my self worthy
To prove my story is worthy of remembrance"

It is definitely YOUR time! ((: This is a wonderful tribute and I loved the picture, you both look so happy. It just shows that something as terrifying as cancer doesn't always beat you, you can beat it and move on. I'm glad your friend is OK. I loved this write, it shows how happy you are, it shines through in this write.

~ Noodle.

[Kristin Lee]

Thanks so much ;) we truly were having a great day together.

[Astro]

I like this one, for I can hear your excitement as you control your breathing and press on setting new personal limits. I knew you could wash the mascara from your dark eyes and let sunshine fall upon your face. Very inspirational and insightful.

[Kristin Lee]

See, not all wicked ;) Karin just finished Chemo and I was just released to train again after being sidelined since August for two surgeries. This was our first training back together and we had way too much fun. I may write about dark things but I try very much to live in the light. Darkness finds me often enough without me seeking it out above and beyond my pen. I'm glad you liked this one.

[Astro]

I did very much.

[Frieda P]

This really speaks to the human spirit and the moxy we've got inside no matter what life throws at us...painful but alive and kicking! Love the pic, if that's pain, you must be enjoying it, cause it sure doesn't look like it! Good one, muchly enjoyed. :-)

[Kristin Lee]

We did have way to much fun that day :) but Karin and I usually do. Thank you :)

[Rita L. Sev]

"Oh how I love this invigorating pain!"

This made me sing a little "Hurts so good..."
Really love the message in this piece, Kristin - always striving to be better today than yesterday, doing what we must, even when it hurts. Love it!

[Kristin Lee]

Thanks so much Rita :) That's exactly it. Pushing yourself in good ways to do good thing.

[Angi]

This is your time, Girl! Always another step, moving forward. Always forward. That pic is cute! Angi~

[Kristin Lee]

Thanks! She just finished chemo a month ago and I just got the release to start training again after having double ear surgeries so we were just so happy to enjoy the day training together ;)

[jacob erin-cilberto]

a wonderful tribute....we often are in a run for our lives...we pound the pavement just to survive, to finish the race of life.

[Kristin Lee]

Thanks so much and oh how true.

[Traci]

A powerful write, and a lovely tribute to Karin.

This is the time
This is my time
To prove my self worthy
To prove my story is worthy of remembrance
Because out here while pounding pavement
My competition…
Is the reflection in the mirror.

Loved your closing lines. Our competition truly is a reflection in the mirror, one that signifies body, mind and soul. A selfless spirit in training as you support Karin and many others through TNT. Great job and very inspiring.

Your team page is very inspiring, especially the little details (180, wow!) I lost my mother to cancer several years ago, so you can always count on my donation to fight this deadly disease and help people like Karin continue their fight. So glad she's a survivor!!!

-Traci

[Kristin Lee]

Thanks so much for your words of support :) They are very much appreciated!

[Traci]

My pleasure. And good luck with the upcoming event.

[Sami Khalil]

There is nothing like good sports and competitions for it reflects the human spirit of reaching the heights of body, mind and soul. And to enjoy it with friends gives it another joy and meaning especially if it done for uplifting health reasons or charity...A fine job indeed...:)

[Kristin Lee]

Thanks Sami :) I've always been an athlete, and I love that healthy push for more.

[Sami Khalil]

Me too...You are welcome...:)