Vol. 11 | It was me who was saved by saying 'Fight'

It has become a pleasant season for running.
The morning air is a little cold,
and there are more runners than usual.

Today, I decided not just to run,
but to take on one small 'challenge'.

To greet every runner I pass,
and to say 'Nice fight!' out loud.

Just that.
But when it comes to actually doing it,
it takes much more courage than I imagined.

At first, I felt embarrassed.
I felt like my voice cracked,
and I braced myself a little,
wondering what the other person would think.

But once I spoke up,
the world became a little softer.

'Good morning!'
'Nice fight!'

And then, sometimes, it comes back.

'Morning!'
'Thank you!'
'Fight!'

I didn't know voices could come back like this.
Just a single word
can make someone smile.

And then I realized.

When I speak up, my legs feel lighter.
My heart leaps.
My breathing steadies. I move forward.

I intended to encourage someone else,
but it was me who was saved.

'Even though I'm supposed to be running alone,
somehow, I'm not alone.'

I never thought there could be a morning like this.

A season where running feels good.
For every runner I pass,
a gentle world was spreading out.