The End

(this story is dragging. But I feel an obligation to finish it. Who knew writing about it would be harder than actually running it? Sheesh!)

With two switchbacks left to go, an indescribable surge of energy came up from my worn feet, through the developing cramp in my calf, up my hunched and sore back and suddenly I was running. My arms pumped back and forth with effort as I rounded the final switchback where I was overwhelmed with a crowd of people and a yellow finish banner hanging somewhere up ahead. I heard Summer from somewhere to my right, but my eyes were so focused on the finish and my efforts were so concentrated on preventing my calf from cramping I couldn't tell where she was.

And then in an instant I passed the neon clock and cross the finish line of the Pikes Peak Ascent.

Someone shoved a finisher's medal over my head. Another person put his hand on my shoulder to make sure I was ok. The next person shooed me ahead, telling me to keep walking until the end of the mountain.

Was it some kind of joke that they made me walk more after I was already done running up a 14,ooo foot mountain!?

I swayed. My legs began to quiver. My arms dangled like spaghetti noodles. I wanted to sit down.

Then my mom was there and she grabbed me into a huge embrace, supporting me at the exact moment I thought I might fall. My throat suddenly tightened as the immensity of what I had just done overcame me, and I squeezed my mom with what strength remained in limp limbs. The hug was a familiar one, and I registered it as one like the hug we shared four months ago.

"Kris you did it!!!! You ran up the mountain!" My mom squeezed me again before Summer came bombarding me, grasping me up with a grin as wide as the Nile spread across her face. The pride in her eyes made tears spring to mine, and I gave up all effort and relaxed into her arms.

"You did it, Kris! You just ran up Pikes Peak! That was awesome!" Her pearly smile beamed from beneath the hood she wore, and it reminded me that it was probably cold up here.

"Thanks for coming, Bum. I'm so tired. I wanna sit down!" I was so happy to be with Summer, but my legs were about as useful as pick-up sticks at keeping me up, and if Summer had let go, I would've tumbled right to the ground.

She walked me over to the wall of the Summit House and I slumped against it, the cold of my finsiher medal bumping against my thigh. Grandma and Grandpa had come over by that point and were smiling down at me, congratulations beaming from their eyes.

Mom pulled out her camera and started recording.

"Here's Kris, sitting on the ground. Kris, what did you just do?"

This was typical. Posterity will appreciate these interviews someday, I have no doubt.

"Uh.... I think I just ran up Pikes Peak!" The words fresh out of my mouth sounded unreal, like I had just told a lie. But I a huge smile of satisfaction spread across my face as I looked to the camera.

"You look tired. Would you do it again?" I could see mom's eyebrows shoot up over the top of the camera, and I licked my lips, smoothing over a layer of salt.

My eyelids drooped as I beamed again, this time taking a breath and nodding my head vigorously. "Oh yeah. I'd do that again."