by Max Mauney

As a child, she ran around the playground: playing tag, participating in childhood games, racing friends. On one occasion, she fled a stranger bearing gifts and candy.

In school, she ran for sport. Track star. Soccer team. Athlete. Trophies and medals. She even ran for class president; another race won.

In her twenties, she ran for fitness. Healthy. Strong heart. Fit. Trim. She wanted to remain desirable. Too desirable one evening. Years of training paid off that night. She managed to keep a firm grip on her purse. She kicked off those expensive shoes and bolted. A torn dress, abandoned designer heels, ruined stockings: all losses. Yet, she considered that race another victory. She escaped with things much more precious and valuable; things he wanted more than money.

In her thirties, she ran away to marry. Eloped. She ran errands. Later, she chased two children. She followed them around the house, into the yard, through the neighborhood, to the schoolhouse. She knew the key: life is a marathon, not a sprint. If you don’t pace yourself, you’ll burn out too fast.

Shortly after turning forty, she ran halfway across the country to follow a philandering spouse. She hoped to convince him to abandon the adulterous affair and return home. For the first time, she was not victorious. Defeated, she returned home to rejoin the rat race; the first time in many, many years. She dashed back and forth: work, home, schools, home, work, repeat.

In her fifties, she ran for public office. She hoped to protect her small hometown. All of her friends and family proclaimed her a winner for trying, even though it was another race lost. Ultimately, she ran away. She ran away from men, from opportunities, from change.

In her sixties, she ran out of options. She could no longer live by herself. The house was too large for only her. She was no longer able to work. She required assistance. Unwilling to burden the children, she pursued care. She moved into a nursing home.

Now, in her seventies, she runs out of energy. She is easily winded and exhausted. Her thoughts and her memories quickly flee. She is running out of time.