Proud of my Friend

I did not want to get out of bed, I did not want to go running. I lay in bed listening to the pouring rain secretly hoping it would rain all day. I kept checking my phone, no messages. I did not dare to send one myself.

I kept stalling, I would have breakfast first, I would finish the chapter of my book, the rain had stopped. Eventually I dressed. I was cold, long joggers, jacket, hat. I did not want to run. Still no messages. Pouring with rain again but apparently we still had a date. I wondered if the rain storm was just over my village and my lazy bones. Maybe Taunton had bright sunshine.

I stalled again, a visit to the loo, can't find my nike+, can't find my car keys. Now I'm going to be late. I don't want to go. I've already made our start time later and still I want to stay at home even though this option means chores. I text, I'm on my way, OK comes the reply. OK, I'll leave then.

I make a plan, I just need to say the words hot chocolate and she will melt, she wont resist, she'll agree it's a mighty fine idea, who wants to run on a morning like this. I should run, Ali will want to, I can't let her down. I don't want to. I want hot chocolate. I hope for red lights to delay my arrival. I'm cold too.

There she is, waiting in the rain. It is raining in Taunton. It feels like it's raining everywhere. I do not want to run. I say the magic words and Ali agrees, hot chocolate - a mighty fine idea. I turn the car, hang on Ali has a plan. Lets run along the river to McDonald's, have a hot chocolate and run back. OK I agree, she hasn't won yet, it's still raining. I'm still cold.

We park up. I'm not getting out in this I say. I actually don't mind running in the rain I just find it incredibly hard to set out in the rain. And, today I'm not going to. We sit and listen, contemplate, wait. We could just go for it she says. My jacket's not waterproof I reply. It wont be too bad once we've started she says. It just the getting started I reply. This is not my Ali. Hot chocolate I had suggested. She's choosing running. I have no money for hot chocolate says she, I do says I.

Come on, lets go for it she encourages. I get out. It has stopped. I can see blue followed by more grey. We run. I need to get going to get warm. We notice the river running high. We dodge the puddles, we slip through the mud. I am not happy. My trainers are filthy. I do not do this off road trail type stuff. We natter and put the world to rights. We meet and greet numerous dogs and their owners, cyclists, walkers and pram pushers. I begin to feel better.

We run a lot, we walk a little. We reach our compromise. We are soon inside enjoying hot chocolate and  we are soon back out in the sunshine retracing our steps. We walk back. We feel great. My mood has lifted. I am so glad Ali is so strong. I am so glad she stuck to her plan and dragged me along.  

Thank you Ali x