He wanted to beat me

It’s why he ran

Cordial competition

It’s how we began

“How long have we been running,” Richard asked

18 minutes, 46 seconds, said the stranger to his left

I watched from behind as the two trotted on one leg at a time

Nearly two and a half miles in and I was a little short of breath

“I haven’t been running much,” the stranger explained

Richard rolled his eyes

This was his max effort and he had trained

The chatter was quick to dispel

I could hear the announcer and cheering, the final lap bell

2.6 miles, .4 to go

I picked it up

Hoped my fatigue didn’t show

The breeze blew through my new short haircut

I snuck up from behind and said, “You’re doing great, babe!”

Richard told the stranger, “That’s her, the one I’ve been trying to outrun the whole way!”

The stranger smiled

“Come on, less than half a mile to go,” I managed to squeak out

Richard and I ran together for a minute

His best energy had been spent

We breathed hard

My lungs and abdomen burned

Quads and hamstrings dragged

But I decided to give it all I had

If he wins, he’ll forever brag, I thought

My Brooks plugged in to the pavement

Thus began our estrangement

0.3, 0.2 miles to go

I had to leave a little in the tank in case he showed

I looked back for a second

Didn’t see his green shirt

The 3 mile marker and then a turn

Everything burned

At 0.1 I put it on

I lengthened my stride

Hoped my husband didn’t die

Passed a few people in the final chute

Through the finish

Gasping for air, mute

15 seconds later there he was

Running hard through the end

My husband, rival, partner, best friend

Then a few seconds later – that stranger

He asked my husband, “How long have you been running?”

“Three years,” he replied. “And two minutes faster than I was then. My wife still beats me, though.”

The stranger gave him a fist bump and said, “But you’re improving yourself and that’s a win.”

“I couldn’t walk three years ago.” The man pulled up his pant legs – steel prosthetics underneath

But I’ve learned you have to run your own race

When life gets rough, grit your teeth and get tough

You’ll surprise yourself.”