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.Nulli Secundus -
'Second to None'
by Terence Cardwell
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Chapter Three - Waste of
time
‘Come on, lads, let’s be havin’ you,’ Joseph called
softly, patting the boys in their bed. Jack and Thomas
woke, realising almost immediately that today was Sunday
and they were going running with their father.
‘Yeah, Dad, let’s go get em,’ Jack said excitedly,
leaping out of bed.
‘We going running, Dad?’ Thomas asked enthusiastically.
‘As soon as you’re dressed and got your boots on,’
Joseph replied, tying the laces in his soft boots and
pulling on a coarse woollen sleeveless shirt. Unlike
other boxers who believed that running would weaken
them, Joseph knew that it would build up stamina and
endurance.
The trio stepped into the street and broke into a slow
trot, allowing their bodies to warm up before increasing
the pace. Jack and Thomas led the way, their boots
clattering on the cobblestones. Joseph ran behind,
allowing the boys the pleasure and pride of leading the
way, knowing they would be lagging behind by the end of
the run.
‘Good on you, Joe, I got me money on you,’ called Bert
Johnson, a neighbour, standing near his front door.
‘I’ll try not to let you down,’ Joseph replied with a
smile.
They ran on to the flats of Deepcar, increasing pace as
they went. Their breathing was easy and relaxed. Joseph
looked at the boys in front of him, believing that some
day one or both of them would be a champion. As they ran
the people they passed offered encouragement and wished
them well. Nearly all were enthusiastic boxing fans.
Here was their local hero, a champion of the underdog
and someone to admire, a proud man. The boys enjoyed the
running not only for the fitness but also the admiration
their father received; they felt very proud as they ran
with him.
At the two mile mark Joseph called, ‘Right-o, boys, time
to put on the pressure.’ They increased their pace and
before long their breathing became laboured and they
started to feel the first pain barrier creeping in.
Joseph took over the front to ensure the boys didn’t
slow down, and set the pace. Jack and Thomas were close
behind, their muscles tired and aching. Joseph, aware
that they were flagging, encouraged them. ‘Keep it up
boys, you have to suffer some pain if you want to win.’
The worst was still in front of them as they came around
the base of a hill and ran up. Jack could feel the fire
in his leg muscles as he pushed hard up the hill,
determined not to slow or weaken. He looked at Thomas,
running alongside. He gave him a pained grin, sharing
his father’s determination.
The heat in Jack’s legs increased and his chest felt as
if it was being crushed, but he knew he could not give
in. As they reached the top and started running down the
other side, he looked up to see his home nestled in the
village below. He called to Thomas, ‘Go!’
Thomas knew a race to the finish was on. They ran as
fast as they could past their father, down on to the
flat, over the bridge and to their front door, muscles
screaming with pain and lungs wanting to burst. Thomas
leaned against the wall gasping for breath and Jack slid
to the pavement to take the weight off his aching legs
as he breathed heavily.
‘Well done, boys, you’re getting better each time,’
Joseph said as he arrived behind them.
‘How’s that?’ Jack asked with a quizzical look. Thomas
looked at Jack and nodded in agreement.
‘I didn’t tell you but I increased my speed earlier
today and you still kept up. Well done. I’ll make
something out of you buggers yet,’ Joseph announced
proudly. The boys looked at him and grinned, pleased
that they had impressed their father. ‘Come on, lads,
let’s go have some breakfast, you’ve earned it,’ he
added as he disappeared into the doorway.
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