Rachel's Run

Commission Info!: abdomental.deviantart.com/jour…

Rachel's numbing feet pad forward one after the other in a steady rhythm, hurting as they hit the ground hard with each step because of the heavy weights wrapped around her ankles. Her core and biceps constantly flex and writhe to keep her balance and support the equally heavy weights strapped to each wrist. Her lungs are on fire from the intense cardio as she fights to keep  up the fast and draining pace she set for herself as she set off more than a couple of hours ago. Even slowing down is an unacceptable sign of weakness that she will not allow even when her pumped legs feel as heavy as lead.

She has no timer, no music and only listens to her own increasingly desperate breaths that turn into pained moans and the steady, heavy thudding of her feet on the ground. Rachel mentally chants to herself with each step, words to help her deny her limit just a little bit longer. Most often, she'll try to cross a patch of grass when her legs feel ready to give out, as she seldom accepts that it's the end of the run before she drops to her knees or falls straight over.

Unable to run, and often even stand, she allows herself a couple of minutes left - enough time to catch her breath, though nowhere near what's needed to even slightly quell the screaming of her muscles. She forces herself to her throbbing feet.... it's time for the run back home.