It’s five in the morning.
The shrill beeping of my alarm clock
startles me awake.
I groan, roll over,
and fumble with the OFF button.
It’s raining again.
Of course.

I lie half awake in bed,
Dreading the moment when I have to
get up, get dressed, and run.
I almost don’t do it.
I almost fall back asleep.
I almost forget the reason I woke up
in the first place.

I can hear my coach’s voice in my head
“Run a little faster
Work a little harder
Push a little farther”
“How are you going to do that if you’re out of shape?”

“Be the best that you can be.
Faster.
Harder.
Farther.
Stronger.
Better.”

“You’ve gotta want it.
You’ve gotta work for it.
You’ve gotta push youself
And your teammates.”

“And if you do,
you can accomplish
ANYTHING.”

Before, I wouldn’t have done it.
but I know now that success
comes from the inside.
so,
With his words ringing in my ears,
I get up, get dressed,
and run.

I can almost hear him pushing me forward.
Faster. Stronger. Better.

Thanks, coach.