“Beep, beep, beep,” the treadmill sounds as I increase the speed
I go from walking, to speed walking, to running, to an all out sprint.
I give it all my energy as I imagine accomplishing my goal sometime soon.
It feels good to run fast, feeling like an animal bolting from its prey

I turn up the music and it gives me even more energy to run even faster.
“Beep, beep, beep,” I increase the speed again.
I sprint with all the energy left within me, running away from all of the stress and anger that I have.
The sweat releases from my skin and I can feel my body heat rising even though I am wearing shorts and a tank top in the middle of winter,
but I continue to run.
“Beep, beep, beep,” knowing I can go even faster.
I start to get tired, but I always keep my goal in mind,
coming closer with every step I take.

I shut my eyes and imagine myself jogging through a forest and seeing the beautiful and crisp colors the trees in the forest have to offer.
I imagine the crinkling of the leaves as I dash past them and the swaying of the trees as the wind cools me off.

I open my eyes back up and see that I have almost finished my workout.
Nearing the end I increase the speed for one last, final push to the end
“Beep, beep, beep,”
Imagining myself running through the end of a race, I push the red STOP on the treadmill.
I climb off the treadmill and look at my results, happy with what I see.
I tell myself “good job” for I know it was no easy undertaking.
Running on the treadmill is sometimes a challenge,
but I always think of the newfound happiness and energy that I will have once I finish the workout,
and I always do.

I record my time and distance and finally lay down to relax, pleased with my results,
Knowing that I still have another full day ahead, I turn off the treadmill and let it rest…
Until tomorrow’s workout