The Race Hill

Two long-time friends named Runna and Reena like to run and have run in several races together.

Runna is a slow, but consistent runner. She runs three or four times a week, and usually runs about 4 or 5 miles each time. On the weekends, she tries to run a longer distance. Running does not come naturally to her, but she has been running for several years, and it has gotten easier for her. She runs for the health benefits and it provides a way to enjoy spending time outdoors.

Reena, on the other hand, is much more of an athlete. She participates in a variety of sports activities and running is just one of the activities she does on a regular basis. She is a fast runner, and it comes naturally to her.

They are discussing an upcoming race that they ran together the year before. Reena looks at her friend’s training schedule and says, “Why are you starting the long runs at 4 miles when you tend to run 10 miles on the weekends?”

Runna says, “I don’t know. I like to follow the training schedule, and it starts at 4 miles.”

Reena shakes her head and says, “I will join you when you reach the longer distances.”

Runna and Reena make arrangements to run together for a 14 mile run. During the run, Reena says, “I’m out of shape. I hope I can make it 10 miles.”

After they run 12 miles Reena says, “Let’s stop.”

Runna says, “We have two more miles to go.”

Reena says, “I know, but it’s hot.”

They continue to meet together for the longer runs, and decide to meet earlier in the morning when the temperatures are cooler.

Race day arrives. Runna and Reena drive together and park in a large parking lot reserved for the event. They walk to the starting line and wait for the race to begin. The race begins. Reena likes to run fast and encourages Runna to run faster by saying, “We will reach the finish line quicker if we run faster.”

They run smoothly for the first half of the race. A few miles after they pass the half-way point, they turn a corner and face a large and steep hill.

Runna says, “Do you remember this hill?”

Reena says, “I do now. I’m going to walk it.”

Runna says, “Just keep looking down. You can do it.”

Reena says, “I’m going to walk up it. Go on ahead. I will catch up to you.”

Runna and Reena separate. Runna runs alone for several miles before Reena runs up next to her, and says, “Watch out. I just had a running gel and energy drink.”

Reena pushes Runna along who is feeling tired from the race with her conversation about the last few miles she ran alone after she made it up the hill.

With five miles to go, they are both motivated to finish the race. They are quiet as they are both tired and just want to finish the race. When they cross the finish line, they receive a medal from a race volunteer. Reena says, “We did it! I can’t believe it.”

They walk through the area where the race participants can replenish themselves with water, hydration drinks, and an assortment of food samples. Reena starts walking towards the area where the “Exit” signs are located.

Runna says, “Don’t you want to get your picture taken?”

Reena says, “No, I’m going to the massage tents. Come find me when you are done.”

Runna waits in line to get her picture taken and goes to look for her friend. Reena looks like she is sleeping on one of the tables. Runna says, “Are you ok?”

Reena says, “My legs are killing me. I don’t want to get up.”

Reena gets up from the table and they begin walking to their car. After they walk a few blocks, Reena says, “I can’t walk anymore.”

Runna says, “Wait here. I will get the car and pick you up.”

It takes them about a week to recover from the race. Their legs are extremely sore from the race. They meet together one day after work. Runna says, “Did you get the e-mail to sign up for next year’s race?”

Reena says, “I saw it, but I didn’t open the message.”

Runna says, “If we sign up now, we get the Early Bird price.”

Reena says, “I don’t know. It has that big hill.”

Runna says, “I know, but I think we should sign-up. We can always cancel at a later point.”

Several months go by. As the race day nears, the women once again meet to run the long runs together. Runna suggests running on one of the trails in River Park. Reena says, “Why do you want to run there? It’s so hilly.”

Runna looks at her, and Reena shakes her head and says, “That hill. Why did I let you talk me into running in that race?”

On race day, they once again drive together to the race. During the race, as they reach the hill, Reena encourages other runners who are struggling to run up the hill by saying, “Just keep looking down. The same thing happened to me last year. I ended up walking the hill. You have to practice running up hills.”

While running the race was challenging, they were better prepared than the year before. After they recover from the race, Runna continues running a few miles each week while Reena begins coaching other runners to help them run races.

At the following year’s race, Runna enters the race as a runner and Reena enters the race as a coach. They meet up at the finish line. Runna is relieved to have finished the race with the big hill and Reena is relieved that she did not have to run the race with the big hill. Reena says, “Everyone made it. Next year, we need to make t-shirts that say, ‘I live to run up the big hill. What about you?’.”