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 wasย 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 visitย HERE.

To read more stories based on this weekโ€™s prompt, visitย HERE.

37 responses to “WINTER RUN”

  1. Ouch! A damaged coccyx is really awful. Maybe he should get a treadmill and use that ๐Ÿ™‚

    Liked by 2 people

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

      Like

  2. 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 ๐Ÿ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

    1. 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 ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

      1. 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 ๐Ÿ™‚

        Liked by 1 person

      2. 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 ๐Ÿ™‚

        Liked by 1 person

      3. 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 … ๐Ÿ™‚

        Liked by 1 person

  3. Guess that is what you get for trying to exercise .

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It’s just not for some people. Thanks Shehanne ๐Ÿ˜‰

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Ha, so long as you are happy, that’s the main thing ๐Ÿ™‚

      Like

  4. 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. Thanks Joy. You do see some people still out in the cold weather. Foolhardy rather than brave I think! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

  5. 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. Ha very true. Thanks for reading.

      Liked by 1 person

  6. 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. Looks like it, but maybe he just wasn’t cut out for running after all. Thanks for reading ๐Ÿ™‚

      Like

  7. 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. Ha, thanks Keith ๐Ÿ™‚

      Like

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

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Jesse ๐Ÿ™‚

      Like

  9. 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. 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

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

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Very kind, thank you so much! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Ouch that’s a painful area to hurt. I agree, treadmill is better, or cross trainer much safer ๐Ÿ™‚ Great write!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Mandi ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

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

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks, glad you enjoy reading my efforts ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Will do and come back for more.

        Liked by 1 person

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

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I think the wife has been through situations like this many times before ๐Ÿ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

  14. Oh painful! Great story.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Sally ๐Ÿ™‚

      Like

      1. Poor man. I have back problems. Exercise has to be started gradually. Icy steps are tretcherous. Good writing, Iain. ๐Ÿ™‚ — Suzanne

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Thanks Suzanne ๐Ÿ™‚

        Like

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