Page 136 of Running
What’s the saying? The definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results?
That’s me.
Because the results are no different. When we go to bed Wednesday night, there’s no response back.
CHAPTER 43
Grace
Igive Johnson a light kiss on the lips when I wake up Thursday in his bed.Ourbed, as he’s called it the last few days.
All our “fun” times in the bedroom are on hold for a little while longer until he’s cleared for such activities. But he says he doesn’t care what day of the week it is anymore, he just wants me in “our bed.” I’m ready for the same.
It’s been two and a half months, maybe too fast for some, but it feels right for us. My drawer in his bathroom has evolved into a drawer in his dresser, and I even have some clothes hanging in his closet.
He mumbles in his sleep, and I don’t want to rouse him, so I tiptoe out into the kitchen. Pam is there, pouring herself coffee.
“How is he?” she asks.
“Still asleep,” I confirm. “But his headache wasn’t that bad last night. Hopefully that’s a good sign for the day.”
“I’ll check on him in a little bit. You headed out for a run soon?”
“Just class.” I pour some water into the electric kettle so I can make my chai. “I’m doing something cool later though. TheTolliver track team is holding a mock meet during their afternoon practice, and I’m going to join as a ‘competitor.’”
Pam’s face lights up. “That sounds fun, Grace.”
“Also, I hope to hear about that job today.” My interview with Milo had been at the beginning of the week, and he said he expected to get back to me within a couple of days. I’d given her and Lainie the scoop on the opportunity during dinner Monday.
“Oh, I’ll be praying,” Pam says.
“Thanks, I’m hopeful. Also, I think Johnson will remember this, but I won’t be back until close to six-thirty because of the track practice.”
“No worries, we’ll be here. I’m excited to hear how it goes.”
The mock meet may be fun for me, but when I arrive that afternoon, everyone has serious expressions on their faces, even Coach Shelley. I get it—this is a key part of their preparation for the rest of the season.
Jasmine is stretching, and as I head towards her, she smiles at me at least. “Hi, Grace.”
“Hey, feeling good?”
“Yes, and please, push me today. I want to feel the full-blown ‘meet environment’.”
“You got it.” I look around and see several other middle distance runners on the team. “How is this going to work? Is each event happening one at a time?”
“For the sprints, yes. We’ll do the middle distance events at the same time, including the 1500 runners all the way to Adeba.” A standout at the 10000 meters, Adeba is hoping for a big senior season, or so I’ve learned in prior chats with Jasmine.
“Okay, perfect. I might keep running once you’re done, if that’s okay? Slower, of course,” I say with a chuckle. “I want to get a full workout in.” She’ll be doing a competitive 5000 meters, but that’s still a lot less than the normal eight to ten miles I run most days.
“No problem.” She nods. “I’ll be busy going over my splits.”
A few minutes later, Shelley gets everyone’s attention in our group, and we head down to the starting line.
Jasmine and I don’t speak again as we both dive down into our individual pre-race mental routines. For me, it’s a rediscovery. I haven’t been in this position in a track meet since the NCAA indoor finals my senior year. And unlike my road races, I know people are going to pay at least a little attention to how I do.
But instead of being self-conscious about that fact, my adrenaline is pumping, the way it did in high school and college competitions. My mind clicks through my goals for the run, which are primarily helping Jasmine and not falling behind her.
An assistant coach holds a stop watch in her hand and gives us a countdown. We get into a set position.
