title: Running Is Flying: Aphorisms, Meditations, and Thoughts on a Running Life
author:  Paul E. Richardson 
description: <b>Paul Richardson</b> is the publisher and editor of <i>Russian Life</i>. He runs every other day, which can be rather challenging in Vermont weather. His half-marathon personal record is 1:45:13. He lives in Montpelier, VT.
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  HOLLOW
  
  
  
  
  
  BY
  
  
  
  
  
  RHONDA PARRISH
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Dedicated to everyone who survived high school.
  
  
  And everyone who didn’t.
  
  
  
  
  
  # Chapter One
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  RUNNING HELPS.
  
  
  It’s a soothing, strenuous sort of relaxation that clears my mind until all
  that’s left is sound. My feet hitting the pavement, my breathing loud in my
  ears, and an occasional bird. The sound of traffic is a dull hum in the
  background but I haven’t seen a moving vehicle the whole time I’ve been
  running laps. It’s getting late. The sky is bruising and the streetlights are
  coming on, but their light is dim.
  
  
  I can smell autumn’s bite in the air but I’m too warmed up from my workout to
  feel it. My hoodie is tied around my waist, its hem slapping against the back
  of my knees as I run.
  
  
  Left-right, left-right, one-two, one-two. I focus on those numbers like I
  never do in math class, letting each one grow to fill my mind and push
  everything else out.
  