tightness all over

The sun, unforgiving. Sweat stinging my eyes. Short breaths. Mind's a blank. One step after another. Muscles aching. Blood pumping through my veins. The sound of wind, my only comfort besides the occasional shade of the trees. Undulating terrain challenges me at every corner. Like the little engine, I tell me self: "I think I can, I think I can." Feeling sore all over. Body deprived of fluids. Want to stop but cannot. Not now, not ever. Punishing it may seem. Why, you might ask. Sit down you say. Politely I decline and move on. Sneer all you want. Torture yourself while all others bask in your air-conditioned room. But this is what I want. This is what I need. Free as a bird, not really. But for the moment, I rule. I am king. I did this yesterday and here I am doing it again today. And yes, I will do it again tomorrow. As far as my legs can carry me, I will not stop. This is me, I am me and I am King!