168 days until the Qualifier.
5:30 am. After a very restless night, I hear Christina Agulara’s song “Fighter” blaring through my phone. She’s been waking me up like this for 3 years…. Though my boyfriend hates the sound of her voice already, I can’t seem to get myself to change it. I made Christina my alarm for one reason: to remind myself to fight in spite of all the people who had put me down in the past. It keeps the fire burning to this day.
Now, puffy eyed and exhausted…. On a Wednesday I must add….. I get ready for my 1st 7am start in months. Boy does this suck. I forgot what waking up this early feels like. It’s still pitch black outside with nothing but the lights of skyscrapers peeking through the window shades. I start to move, quiet and confused, not wanting to turn on the light. I look for some easy workout clothes, stuff that I can drench with sweat… Oh wait! That’s my entire wardrobe!
20 minutes left before departure to the pool I pour a bowl of cereal. Casually looking through my phone as I chow down on my morning crunch (I think that’s what it was called) I reply to emails and read my notifications from the night before. Just something to keep my mind off the day ahead. The dreaded circuit workout.
10 minutes to go I jump back in my bed for one last snuggle. Not wanting to leave the comfort of the covers. Though I know that once I step outside I’ll feel ready for the day, those last few minutes in my bed are everything.
C.
Claudia Holzner 