Run, Emma, Run!

I never have been able to run well. As a child I was awkward and slower than the rest of the kids. Because I was not graceful my ankles would twist and slow me down even more. It still happens.

As a child I was active. I liked to play tag and other running games. Football, basketball, and baseball were sports I liked too. Those are the ones that require running.

I barely passed the 50 yard dash time for President Kennedy's fitness challenge. And I do mean barely.

So I learned very early that if I was playing baseball I would have to hit the ball hard and far to make it safely to base. I am a good batter. I do hit it far and hard. I usually make it to first base.

As an adult I have been on a few softball teams. Softball is similar to baseball. For some reason women are expected to play softball rather than baseball. Do not ask. I have no idea why.

One softball team I was a part of was pretty good. It consisted of many women who were younger than me. One of them was even a physical education major in her last year of college. I managed to hold my own most of the time.

There was one day in particular that sticks in my mind.

I was up to bat. I hit the ball way out to right field. I managed to make it to first base.

The phys ed major was batting next.  She also hit the ball long and hard. I started to run to second base. I made it. Unfortunately the phys ed major was right behind me.

I ran at my top speed toward third base. With the phys ed major breathing down my neck all the way.

I had to keep running after I touched third base because the phys ed major was ready to touch the bag too. And of course we could not both be on third base. So I kept running.

The phys ed major stayed right behind me. She was not quite touching me but she was close. I wheezed all the way to home plate with the phys ed major right behind me.

She hit an in the park home run. It took me until the next inning before I was breathing normally again.

It seems that if I am forced I can run a little.