It’s 2 degrees on the dot. No gloves, just a long-sleeved sport shirt, jumper and leg inners. Shoes are laced up tight, and socks tucked under the inners. The hoodie, up and headphones come on right after. We walk to the crosswalk, then stretch. Have to get all the knots out and get warm. He clicks the button to start the timer, then we are off. We start with a light jog that unknowingly turns into a quick jog. Given 10 mins, we reach another light. We cross onto a platform and hit the button. WAIT. The light turns green. We jog to the other platform, then out, away from the crossroads. 2km. We run – an even pace – past housed, gas stations, up hills, down some, and we get to another zebra. We hit the button. WAIT. 3km. We are now at the side 9f a highway, running into the sunset. Cars race by, other runners stare, sun going to sleep. Then we get to a set of stripes. Left turn taken, steps being tracked. 40 mins, 4.5km. The roads clear from there. Meander through some streets, and we hit 6. 6km, that is. U Turn. Same way back. Sun narrowing, dripping behind the horizon. Winter. Car’s headlights. Less busses. Fingers warm, cold? Confused. Then we get back to the first cross. 10km. It is just a nice little jog from now. Finish the race, against daylight. Then we get back. 1hr 25. 12km. Pride. Sweat. Tired. Can barely walk. Get to the room. Pass out on the floor. Not dead, just finished. Smile.