Pilgrims
Family, Old & New
“Eleven minutes thirty-five seconds. You did it, ” said Rio beaming.
Finally, I was able to break that world record after almost three months. At first when Rio said I had to pass the world record, I thought he was crazy. But then he told me Fox's record turned out very fast. For some reason, thinking someone else can do it in nine minutes, makes twelve minutes not feel impossible to achieve. It all ends in the way we think.
But of course I can't surpass the world record so quickly without Rio's help. Rio has a big part in my achievements. He is talented to be a coach.
“So you guys are going to teach me capoeira now?” tanyaku.
“Yes, but that doesn't mean you stop running and other physical exercises. Starting tomorrow your running distance is added. The goal remains this beach. But you will take a detour with a distance of about ten kilometers.”
“Do I have to break the world record again?”
“Of course,” replied Rio with his leisure.
“Terusslah. Now we're going to practice capoeira right? Quick start!” my insistence.
“You're still that excited?” tanyanya.
“What do you mean?”
“You still want to practice capoeira?” Rio asked as if doubting my resolve.
“Didn't my goal of physical training all this time be for that?” I asked back not understanding.
“Ya, indeed. Among the six people we trained, there were two people who managed to surpass the world 5000 meter running record. One of them keeps setting the heart to learn capoeira until there is nothing more we can teach,” Rio stopped for a while.
“Yes, you've told me. He's the one who's now developing himself in that official school, right? Then who is the other one where is he now?” manya curious.
“She stopped training and turned a bow into a running athlete. And he set a new world record for the 5000 meter running category recently, which is twelve minutes thirty-seven seconds,”.
“You must be aware, that number you have exceeded but you do not change your intentions. Moreover, you're the only woman we've ever trained, and in fact the 5000-meter running record for women, now is only fourteen minutes. Fox will definitely change his assessment of you.”
“What the hell are you mocking from earlier? You told me yourself you didn't want to differentiate between the sexes. I run not because I like.” anyway
***
Rio set my lesson schedule. For two hours from eight in the morning I had to do a long distance run of ten kilometers plus a menu of physical exercise morning is very tiring. From ten to lunch, we practiced capoeira.
The schedule only lasted a week. Because I managed to surpass the record after a week.
“Alright, from tomorrow we have a new schedule,” Rio told me that afternoon before I went to the Diego Souvenir store.
“Lho, why?”
“I will have to increase your portion of physical exercise. From tomorrow you do a marathon with us,” said Rio relaxed.
I thought after that he would stop my practice, apparently not. “What do you mean by 'we', meaning you and Fox?”
“So yes, you shared the task with Fox and trained us in a separate place. Alright. I'm ready for the marathon tomorrow,” I'm supporting as it passes from before him.
“Wait. I have something to tell you first,” Rio pulled my arm, told me to sit down.
“OK, what is it?”
“Begini. Actually every morning from six o'clock, Fox and I were always running marathons. After that, we trained you. We've been doing it every day for the last six years, which is why our stamina is maintained. Marathon is not only train speed, but also endurance. The longer the distance traveled, the body will be burdened and will feel heavy. This means that over time your speed will decrease. Fox and I can go past that and keep our pace. Stay how you can compensate us,” explained Rio.
“Good. I'm not sure I can keep up with you guys in my first marathon. But I'll try not to be far behind,” I agreed.
“Good spirit. Then until tomorrow, six o'clock in the morning, at basecamp.”
***
“Rio tells you to marathon every day?” Gabriel asked in shock as I reported on the improvement in my abilities.
“Yep. And from tomorrow I'll train with Fox. I can't wait to test my skills,” I said excitedly.
“You know the marathon ran for forty-two kilometers. If you do it every day, your body will be exhausted,” Gabriel protested.
“It is precisely if doing it every day, my body will get used to it,” timpalku lightly.
“You are now as crazy as they are. Why the hell train physically to the limit so far, you are not warriors?” Gabriel is still grumbling.
"The man doesn't know what's going to happen, you know,” I said casually.
“Terusslah. What will you be as strong as later?”
I never thought I'd make it this far either. I go through the day without thinking negatively that I can't possibly. Without me knowing now I have the skills.
I'm not a soldier, but since the situation I'm in is not normal, I must always be prepared with all the possibilities. And it feels like training the physical and martial arts techniques is no longer the fulfillment of my insatiable desire for action films, but it has become a habit. Habits that are in harmony with my needs as a person who is lost in space and time that I do not know.
***
Today somehow I suddenly miss my family and friends so much. What worries me when I get back, they don't recognize me. And to be honest, it feels like they are far away in another galaxy.
Come to think of it, I'm lucky to have a family like mine. My parents were never possessive of me. They let me choose everything; school, friends, study hours, play hours, clothes, hobbies, other things.
Maybe my parents were ignoring me. They never asked 'Today what's PR?', 'How's the test?', 'Don't go home too late!' or things like that. What they say at most 'Don't dirty the floor!', 'You look skinny.', 'Today it's your turn to do the dishes.' or other trivial things.
Which, if I recall, is really cool. Rarely do parents give their children freedom of choice. My parents didn't do it because they didn't care about me, I know that. They did it because they thought I was old enough to choose, and they believed in my judgment.
Well, that's why I don't want to worry my family, because I'm not used to being worried. And there's really nothing to worry about. I'm doing fine. Well, so far I mean. I don't know what's gonna happen next. But for now I feel fine. I'm healthy and meet good people. Isn't that worth being grateful for?
***