Page 45 of Revved up & Ready

Once I’m in bed, I call out to her. “Hey, sunshine?”

“Yes?” her sleepy voice responds.

“You doin’ okay?” I ask.

“All good. I’ll let you know if—” She pauses, and I stay still, not wanting to miss her words. “I need help with airflow,” she finishes.

She’s half-asleep, so I assume the silence that follows means she’s already drifting off. But I stay awake a little longer, just in case she needs me.

Chapter 10

Sadie

Run a half marathon –from Sadie’s list of things she’s never done

Cam: Don’t forget, rubber side down!

“One lap is a quarter mile,” Devon says, looking cheerier than I’ve ever seen her. “Today’s run is only two and a half miles, so you only have to do ten laps.”When did she forget the meaning of“only”?Ten laps sound like an eternity.

“How long has it been since you went for a run?” Bea asks, pulling her dark, shaggy hair into a loose braid.

“I’ve neverwillinglygone for a run,” I admit, a little embarrassed. “I guess the last time I ran at all was in high school.”

Bea’s lips curl into an encouraging smile. “Then let’s just do whatever feels good in your body today,” she says. “I’ll stick with you, and Devon can join us after she finishes her miles.”

“We are here for you today, Sade,” Devon adds, “I’m happy to stay by your side.”

Even though I know the offer is genuine, I gesture toward the track. “Go ahead,” I tell her. “Enjoy yourself. This might beeasier if I’m not comparing myself to my athletic,runs-for-funfriend the whole time.”

Her smile returns. “I will come meet you in about twenty minutes,” she says, and then she’s off, moving at a speed I didn’t know humans were capable of.

“She’s a powerhouse, isn’t she?” Bea comments, securing her braid. “Ready?”

“As I’ll ever be,” I answer.

She takes off at a pace that’s easy for me to match—more like a slow jog than a real run.Maybe this won’t be so bad after all.“What made you want to run a half marathon if you’re not in the habit already?” she asks.

“It seemed like a big accomplishment,” I answer, enjoying the slightly soft feel of the track beneath my brand-new running shoes. “I wanted to do something significant.”

It’s true, but not all of it. I once told Jared I wanted to train for one, and he said, “Aw, sweetie. That’s not you.”That’s the real reason it made the list, but it’s not about trying to prove anything to him anymore. Now, I just want to prove to myself that I can do something this hard.

“I like that,” Bea says, nodding in approval. “Let’s get you a medal, babe.”

We turn the first corner, and I find myself really enjoying it. I’m not big on intense cardio—usually, I go for long walks in the evening or take the barre classes Bea teaches for exercise—but this is fun. I get why Devon loves it.

“You’re doing great,” Bea encourages as we round the second corner.

So, what’s that? Half of a quarter mile? An eighth of a mile. I just have to go that far nineteen more times. No big deal.

Devon passes us around the third turn, offering encouragement as she flies by. “You’re doing it, Sade!”

“On your left!” someone yells out. I can’t tell which side they’re coming from.Shit. I always mix up left and right. For some reason, my brain just won’t learn the difference. I lift my hands into “L” shapes to see which one looks correct.The one that makes a properLis left, so I need to move—but then they shout again. “On yourleft!” As they brush past, I finally realize which side is left.Dammit.

Bea mutters that the guy was an asshole, and I make a note that he passed me on the side she wasn’t on, just in case he does it again.

By the time we round the final turn and start lap two, I’m starting to feel the workout in my legs. This isn’t necessarilyhard, but I’ve dropped any delusions of being a natural-born runner. Bea’s pace is more challenging than I thought.

When Devon passes us again, she barely seems winded and offers more encouragement in a voice that isn’t the least bit breathless.

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