I looked at the calendar when I woke up

Three months elapsed since that downtown 5k

I had finished at 2^nd place

The plaque on the wall reminded me

I looked over the results again, her name in front of mine

I set out this year to get more speedy

This time in training

My hamstrings were sore

Whole body tired

Sunday morning

I thought about skipping

Feeling one step from expired

I moseyed out the door just barely

The cold in my face

Gremlins daring me

The air smelled of bacon and eggs

My stomach growled as the wind howled

I started my watch and then my legs

Hobbling the first mile

I sped up the second

Hamstrings loosened

I gained my second wind

I pumped along faster

The cold no longer mattered

I saw her brown ponytail coming my way

I recognized it and her strong gait

Our eyes locked for a moment

Our paths crossed again

She continued running away as the sidewalk bent

Would we ever formally meet

A man on his porch announced, “Free breakfast at the church on First Street!”

I noticed she and I both picked up the pace

We looked over each other’s shoulders as we ran opposite ways

In a few more minutes the church was in sight

And then there she was!

We eyed each other and ran with all our might

My lungs burned as my stomach rumbled

I noticed on the other side of the street she stumbled

But she wasn’t down, she sprang back up

Her lengthy stride

Sure to outdo mine

“Muffins there too!” yelled another parishioner from her porch

The thought of blueberries and banana nut became like a torch

I powered ahead as I fixed my eyes on the steeple

I finally got to the steps of the church, feeling quite feeble

I was feeling hopeful as I looked around

I didn’t see her there

My eyes roamed the fellowship hall

Then I saw that long brown ponytail – she was sitting down first

I hadn’t won at all – oh, how it hurt

I plopped down without any food

Hung my head and a frown

My watch showed it was the fastest 3 miles I’d ever run

Some time later I heard someone say from behind: “You beat yourself,”

It was her – holding out her hand – in it a muffin

“Be the best you you can”

She wasn’t bluffin

“Don’t be mistaken,

Know what motivates you

Nothing gets me moving faster than eggs and bacon”

She sat down beside me and we ate breakfast at church

My competitor now a comrade

Iron sharpens iron

On this Sunday morning I was glad

I didn’t skip