Triumph Runs

At summit, cheering

Whoops, calls of encouragement

Runner has triumphed

She wasn’t the usual person who charges up the deceptively mild hill only to lose heart while running up its long treacherous rise. An older woman with wobbly legs, turquoise shorts, and unflinching desire, she crested the hill panting hard and continued on the road to the left.

Passing her, I called out congratulations, having missed the glorious charge up the hill, but witnessed her sweaty accomplishment.

Later, rounding the final stretch home, she stopped me to thank me for the encouragement. It was her first time making it all the way to the top and it felt great to have someone else there with her.