IAIN KELLY

WINTER RUN

Gary’s alarm woke him at 7am. Gloria rolled over. He really should get up and go for a run. It was the only morning this week he’d get the chance.

As soon as his foot poked out the bed, he felt the chill in the air. No, he could afford to leave it this morning.

He started to feel guilty. He should do some exercise. Even a short run would be better than nothing. Christmas was coming – he had to lose weight so he could eat what he wanted over the festive season.

He stumbled out of bed. He put on layers of clothing and looked outside. Frost lay over everything, thick like snow.

He crept downstairs and stepped out the door. There was a thud as Gary’s foot slipped on the frosted step and he landed on his back, followed by an audible bout of swearing.

Gloria came downstairs half an hour later to find Gary slumped on the sofa, still wrapped up in his running clothes.

‘Decided not to go after all?’ she asked.

‘I think I’ve damaged my coccyx,’ Gary answered with a pained expression.

‘Well, I did say maybe running wasn’t for you,’ Gloria said, and headed to the kitchen to put the kettle on.


184-12-december-4th-2016

Written as part of Sunday Photo Fiction. Write a story of around 200 words based on the photo prompt given (above). For more details visit HERE.

To read more stories based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.

37 responses to “WINTER RUN”

  1. Sunday Fiction Avatar

    Ouch! A damaged coccyx is really awful. Maybe he should get a treadmill and use that 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      True, although treadmills have there own dangers! Thanks for reading.

      Like

  2. Lynn Love Avatar
    Lynn Love

    That’ll take months to heal – mine did! Nice stuff Iain and who wants to run in the frost anyway? Do some star jumps in front of the fire and have done with it till the spring 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Having done with it until spring is always what let’s me down. Then I pay for it when I realise how unfit I’ve become over the winter. Thanks Lynn, hope your injury wasn’t too painful 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Lynn Love Avatar

        Dancing to the radio while cooking is a good one for me. And work as I work in a busy flower shop with a flight of stairs that I have to climb up and down many, many times a day 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Iain Kelly Avatar

        I sit all day at work, tied to a desk – definitely not healthy. Unless I learn to cook, I’ll have to stick to the running for now 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Lynn Love Avatar

        That’s the case for so many of us, though. I’m lucky in that my job keeps me on my feet. Of course, I won’t be feeling lucky about half five on Xmas Eve when I’m still on my feet … 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  3. shehannemoore Avatar

    Guess that is what you get for trying to exercise .

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      It’s just not for some people. Thanks Shehanne 😉

      Liked by 1 person

  4. J Hardy Carroll Avatar

    This is why I am fat.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Ha, so long as you are happy, that’s the main thing 🙂

      Like

  5. Joy Pixley Avatar

    Ouch! He’s braver than me, to even try to go out to exercise in that weather. Although maybe also more foolish. I second the vote for a treadmill!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Joy. You do see some people still out in the cold weather. Foolhardy rather than brave I think! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  6. JED Avatar

    I felt pain as I read that. At least he has plenty of ice to use on the swelling if he needs it.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Ha very true. Thanks for reading.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. i b arora Avatar

    thanks for stopping by on my blog, feel sorry for Gary, the poor fellow would now only gain weight, no?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Looks like it, but maybe he just wasn’t cut out for running after all. Thanks for reading 🙂

      Like

  8. Keith's Ramblings Avatar

    I’ve always maintained that running is an extreme sport and there’s the proof! Excellent.

    My story – One Winter’s Night

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Ha, thanks Keith 🙂

      Like

  9. Jesse Raven Avatar
    Jesse Raven

    Ah one of the many reasons I’m not a runner – nicely told!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Jesse 🙂

      Like

  10. ceayr Avatar

    Laughing here, another story with a moral!
    Nicely done, Iain, even if you are encouraging us to be even more slothful.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks, glad it gave you a laugh. I think we should all be slothful when it’s this cold outside. Plenty of time to get out when it gets warmer again!

      Like

  11. Grant-Sud Avatar
    Grant-Sud

    Haha! Your short glimpses of every day life are as always, amazing. xD I loved this and great detail.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Very kind, thank you so much! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  12. mandibelle16 Avatar
    mandibelle16

    Ouch that’s a painful area to hurt. I agree, treadmill is better, or cross trainer much safer 🙂 Great write!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Mandi 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  13. athling2001 Avatar

    Had to read this one, too. Another great take on the prompt.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks, glad you enjoy reading my efforts 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. athling2001 Avatar

        Will do and come back for more.

        Liked by 1 person

  14. lingeringvisions by Dawn Avatar

    Poor guy, not getting much sympathy from the wifey :/

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      I think the wife has been through situations like this many times before 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  15. Sally Avatar

    Oh painful! Great story.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Sally 🙂

      Like

    2. Iain Kelly Avatar

      Thanks Sally.

      Like

      1. patriciaruthsusan Avatar

        Poor man. I have back problems. Exercise has to be started gradually. Icy steps are tretcherous. Good writing, Iain. 🙂 — Suzanne

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Iain Kelly Avatar

        Thanks Suzanne 🙂

        Like

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