Jumped the Gun

Besides the fox cub bouncing off to hide in the grass, rolling down the driveway was pretty sane. Traffic was clear, so the sanity continued onto Boot Rd. We had a green light for the turn at Chestnut, but oncoming traffic was there. Mark took it anyway. Monkey see, monkey do, Chris, Sean, Ben and I followed. Chris and Mark were positioned slightly forward of the rest. Me not sure when to start and without a strategy jumped for the sprint. I spun like mad and pulled ahead. In an instant I spun away all awareness. All I could focus on was my light bouncing ridiculously on the pavement in front of me. Left - right, left -right, with each pump of my legs my head would bounce my light back and forth in front of me. Snot and spit began to rain down from my face. I had to make it to the bridge. Vaguely I wondered if it was the beginning of the bridge or the crest that finished the sprint. My light kept bouncing. I thought my feet would spin right out of the pedals. I had the lead. Chris was so strong tonight. Where was he? Mark was tired, but running a bigger gear. Where was he? Pedal, pedal pedal - bouncing my light back and forth. How old am I? How long can I do this? Will I puke? Pedal, pedal pedal. Does this make me stronger? Mark rolls by. I feel like I'm going to explode and Mark rides by like he's delivering papers on a warm sunny morning.

It took a block and a half before I could breath enough to talk. I ask if his heart-rate even went up. He laughs and says I went too early.

-b