We were at the start line and I was a little worried 

It was freezing and my vision was blurry

I noticed her sleek brunette bob and her green jersey top

She asked me, “Why are they delaying? My warm-up is gonna wear off”

She jumped up and down 

She wore plastic square brown glasses and her face was round

We waited for the horn to blare

She asked me, “What time ya goin’ for out there?”

I told her I’d be happy with 22 minutes 

She said it was her first race in 6 months since she’d had her baby

I said, “I’m 9 weeks tomorrow”
And she beamed, “That’s the best thing I’ve heard lately!”

I wished her a fun race

Then the horn sounded

We all took off like stallions

Through Town Center

Our feet pounded

I watched as her bob bobbed away

The course was out and back

Her stride never gave way

My muscles were quickly fatigued

I decided to concede – to run a conservative pace

I passed a few runners along the way 

She was there at the finish line – with her husband and her baby 

She said, “How’d ya do, lady?”

I told her just under 22

And asked, “How ‘bout you?”

“20:25”

I said, “You’re a dynamite!”

We swapped numbers 

Since we’d both survived 

I made a new friend at the race today

Maybe motherhood, friendship, life

Is like running a 5k