One more lap, she told herself, and I should have it figured out.
The “lap” was a strange triangle of steep uphill, steep narrow stone stairs, and a broad, flat straightway.
She was on the hill segment. Her legs, lungs, and heart always complained on this part, but she would lean into it and push herself to continue the pace and ignore her body’s complaints.
It was that leaning in that made the laps so worthwhile. If it was easy, she wouldn’t think twice about anything. She would just la-di-da her way along and miss something significant.
No, the pushing-pushing-pushing, her heart beating harder and faster, her breathing strained, and her thigh muscles contracting and extending as she fought gravity to propel herself up the hill – that’s what helped.
This is my life, she thought.
Halfway up the hill, she almost allowed herself a rest. Almost. She pushed through it though because she didn’t want to lose momentum. She shifted her thoughts away from her ever-more-hurting body.
If I do this, she thought, he might respond with that. That would be bad.
But… if I don’t do it, she continued, we’re just stuck where we are.
She reached the top. The stairs beckoned — an easy step-step-step down to the bottom.
Walking the broad road gave her no insight, so up the hill she began again.
Push. Push. Push.
If this … then that.
Step-step-step-step-step down the stairs.
Walk the broad road.
One more lap, she said to herself.
The Unicorn Challenge: no more than 250 words and inspired by the photo
Hot Dogs and Marmalade 
Must be quite the issue she’s trying to resolve! I hope this was the last lap…..💞
I used to do the same thing- ponder while I took a walk…
Sally, this is such a good metaphor for internal struggles and determination. You’ve created a truly poignant reflection on the complexities of decision-making and personal growth. Love it! ❤
~David
Great piece, Sally. Philosophy and metaphor rolled into one.
‘It was that leaning in that made the laps so worthwhile.’
A great sentence in a strong story, Sally.
We do what we need to do to make decisions and you describe the urgency and the hard work of letting decisions reveal themselves so well.
(Your story reminds me of something I read the other day:
If you can’t think, walk;
If you’re thinking too much, walk;
If you’re thinking badly, keep on walking.)
What a great quote! Walking ALWAYS helps me when I’m struggling with something.
Great take, Sally. I see people ‘power walking’ and I can’t help but wonder what they’re thinking about as they push their way through another lap, that look of determination on their flushed faces. My lungs and legs were on fire by the time I was done reading! Excellent write!
I’m puffing as I read. You take the reader right inside her head as she agonises and fails to come to a decision. So true to life.
A story that leaves so much unsaid, and does it beautifully.
A wee masterpiece, Sally.
Thank you! I’ll take the compliment, although I think you meant to say that it was almost, just not quite, a wee masterpiece.
Life’s journey can be just like that, round and round, up and down. A great take, Sally.
Thanks, Keith!
Sally the walk up hill is a struggle and the flat too easy. A perfect metaphor for life. It is in the striving that we find meaning and growth -the easy part is stagnation…
Excellent! I love her drive.