(photo credit: running.competitor.com)

A mountain looms before me

I take a deep breath
exhale slowly
warily eyeing the climb
the challenge
the dare

To conquer
a gift of sweeping views
awaits

“Tell me what you know about running”
The query from another runner startles me
makes me laugh
“Put one foot in front of the other.
That’s all there is to it”
we chat

Arriving in the granite giant’s shadow
without a backward glance
my unexpected inquisitor
clearly an experienced runner
leaves me in his dust

As I embark on the imposing ascent
I contemplate my own
words of wisdom
Just keep putting
one foot in front of the other