Sneakers yanked on feet, preparing the muscles in that one action. Sweatshirt thrown over my head.Flashlight in hand and the energy raging to burst out of me is ready.

I step on to the pavement, feel the air on my legs and know walking will just be too slow, even at the great speed I can muster. Moonlight shines down and I am the only one on the road, hood up, college pride, light in my hand but the moon is all I really need.

My legs spring forth and all I can feel is the night and the pavement under my legs. My muscles push and pull, white skin flashing in and out of my sight as my legs drum the earth. My stride eats up the ground and my arms are tense and pumping at my side. I push. I break, breathe. Mentally the mind tells me to just walk now but my soul, my heart, is not content. I reach forward again not in the stride of a jogger but of one that is racing because the road is the only drug that can satisfy me and I need the full dose. I push my hood down and let my hair be part of my rythem. It still isn't enough, not even with my arms raised.
I channel my self-defense instructor and my arms punch the air full force, punches he would be proud of. If there was an object before me I would go through it. The satisfaction is deep. I am both running and fighting and there is nothing that can stop me, nothing that is trying. It is just me and the night and the moonlight and the empty street. I push as haven't done before, didn't think I was capable of doing, only walking when necessary. I am not even that winded. I talk to myself and rush on.
The power running through me is the greatest high I have felt in a while even as it is anger fueled.
Most people would punch a wall and destroy. I managed to still control myself and to even take it to somewhere farther.

I've already beaten my Hill in high noon in a black shirt and long pants and now I beat the Road on Full Run speed in the full moon night.
I am satisfied. I haven proven my strength, reached a new physical height. I get home and am high of the knowledge alone. I'm proud of my bruises, proud of my pain, proud of the fact that even with an already sore left side I pushed myself farther. In some ways it isn't healthy and I know I will be hurting tomorrow. But I did it.

As the saying goes "This is not disability. It is just a reason to work harder."

Boast all you want of physical power. A guy can talk shit of military running but hell if you're not there beside me once. Let the road stand as my measure. Let the Hill call it's judgment. Let the night hold me and be my lover.

To dreams I go now and to a better tomorrow.
Peace.
~Lo