Marathon Number Five

twenty-eight degrees outside;

much warmer inside this suit,

and behind this mask on her face;

shortness of breath;

sopping-wet tentest insulation board

up and out the window;

dripping-wet electronics

up the stairs and out;

weakness in her legs and arms and back and neck and fingers;

physical and mental exhaustion;

hitting the wall and continuing;

determination in her every step;

a smile on her face;

twenty-six miles is nothing compared to this!