The burning, stinging feel

As my muscles shuffle

My arms pump back and forth

Lungs push air out and pull air back in

My feet, strapped into tight sneakers

Pound the strip which continues its circuit on and on

Underneath me.

The minutes tick by

My muscles still shuffling,

Arms still pumping,

Lungs still pushing and pulling,

This goes on until the red blinking numbers hit 20:00

The strip below me

Slows to a stop effortlessly.

I step off, face red

Hair slick with sweat

Feet burning

Knee’s aching

Lungs still pushing and pulling

But under less pressure.

Water is like heaven as it flows into my mouth,

Down my throat and slowly replenishes my body.

Lying down on the floor

Muscles tired, head and heart pounding

Lungs pushing and pulling comfortably

A smile creeps its way to my lips, my eyes

Just another day, just another run.