A Comrades Experience

A BATTLE OF THE MIND.

03h00am. BEEP-BEEP. BEEP-BEEP. (PAUSE) BEEP-BEEP. BEEP-BEEP. Chimes the alarm of my 1986 'silver-plated' Casio wristwatch. Its about as welcome as the appearance of cellulite on a swimsuit models bum. A bittersweet symphony. And unfortunately not the one sung by The Verve. Its here. There is no escape. Well there is, but you'll have to run 86.96kms to get there. Its just you and me. To the death. At least it feels that way. It may as well be.

Its cold. Its been a restless night. A battle of the subconscious, fought on the vast plains of the mind between the Positive and Negative Forces that occupy this space, ironically both led by the same leader, Colonel Clark. Master and Commander. The Negative Forces are in total control and have captured much of the little area that was left occupied by the Positive Forces overnight. Victory is at hand. Failure, it seems is inevitable.

However, deep within the depths of the nothingness, a light flickers to and fro dimly amongst the blackness. It is hope. And it will not extinguish as long as there is air in my lungs. I am tired now. I barely slept last night. Ahhh the guile of bedfellows like Paranoia, Doubt and Worry. I gingerly get out of my bed as if looking for some kind of sympathy from the walls that surround me in the pitch dark like enemies. Turn on the lights. Bright. Straight to the toilet. Turn on my phone. Slowly (read 'reluctantly') put on my kit inbetween sitting down and staring at nothing. Ritualistically preparing mentally and physically. Make some toast. Back to the loo. Sitting down again. Rocking. 04h16am. They'll be here soon. Good.

They're here. Familiar faces, Comrades taking up arms. Some blissfully unaware. Partners. Colleagues. Fear and apprehension are absorbed into the melting pot of our collective conscious. I feel better. Stronger. Hope.

We're at the start an hour early. I keep to myself whilst quietly observing the goings on around me. Its not that cold. Staring down the dark, now bustling West street, dwarfed by once familiar buildlings either side, carefully avoiding eye contact with Doubt, Fear and what seems like imminent Failure.

The anthems. Emotional. Shosholoza. Chariots of Fire. And then there's a spark. Where did that come from? I feel it burn boldy, rippling haphazardly outwards like sparks off a welders torch. And then the gun. Relief. Either way the War will be over by the end of the day, and for Humanity, thats a good thing. The Positive Forces strike a blow to the Negative Forces, sending them back unexpectedly.

Slowly, so slowly. Running away from the shores of safety to an uncertain horizon. Sailing towards a fate that is undetermined. Like the long walk to the Headmasters office once summoned. The Negative Forces have underestimated the respect shown by the Forces for Good. Every step closer, minutely eroding the once impenetrable wall that barricades Negative Headquarters. Bit. By. Bit. Step by step. The Positive Forces slowly gain strength. Every cheer from the side of the road adds impetus and inspires. Little battles are being won everywhere. The tide is turning. Focus. Was that cramp? Still a long way to go. You know this from last year. Feeling tired. Vulnerable. The Negative Forces mount their final challenge but to no avail. 16h05. Persistence, courage, strength, love and respect have proved formidable foes. The Great War is won and the taste of victory is indescribably sweet. But how long will it be 'til these remarkable enemies face each other again on this familiar stretch of road?