Hannah: I saw on
your blog that you’re going to run a half marathon - well done you. I wish I could
do something like that.
Me: Gee thanks,
but you totally could too. Come on, do it with us. (Have already become running evangelist and bore when unable to run one
mile.)
Hannah: No
really, couldn’t do it. Not a runner. Can’t run fast enough. In fact, run at
half the speed of Usain Bolt. (Seems
very specific quip)
Me: What?
Hannah: Yes, I remember when I ran the 100 metres at
school in 1996. It took me 18 seconds. Usain can run it in 9.
Me: Doesn’t seem that slow to me.
Hannah: Well that was when I was 12. I'm not sure could maintain that speed now. Anyway -you would say that – you ran it in
14.
Me: 14? (Wonder
how I have forgotten this fact and mourn missed opportunity of athletics
career.)
Hannah: Yes, 14
seconds. I remember thinking how fast you were. I also remember you doing the
long-jump and falling face down into the sand.
Me: Oh. (Imaginary athletics career comes to abrupt
end.)
Hannah: Do you
remember the navy pants?
Me: Yes. I have
still not recovered.
(Navy pants were the gym briefs
our school forced us to wear for athletics. Our all girls school field shared a fence with the local comp. Our lunch breaks fell at different
times, which meant our athletic attempts were often witnessed by large crowds
of the neighbouring school. Who heckled. The school told us it was character
building.)
Hannah: Ah, it
was character building.
Me: If you say
so.
Hannah: You know this half marathon, you’re running it with Nat aren’t you?
Me: Yes.
Hannah: Oh, it’s
just that I can remember her in athletics too. Yes, I remember her doing the
800 metres and throwing up at the end of it.
Me: Great. (we’re both going to die and will never make
it.)
Hannah: You know, you could always run it in navy pants.
No comments:
Post a Comment