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Title: Tranquility
Fandom: Stargate SG-1
Rating: G
Summary: She felt like she was flying, like she was faster and stronger than ever.
Character/Pairing: Just Sam
Warnings: Might make you want to slip on a pair of trainers.
Author’s Notes: Written while I should have been studying. If I am not allowed to graduate in 2 weeks, please point me back to this fic. Also, please note that it took me two fic prompts to get this story out. I had been wanting to do a running story, and then when I saw the prompt, I figured there would be lots of motorcycle fics, and that this would be a perfect alternative.
Left. Right. Left. Right. Quick stutter step to leap over an errant tree root. Left. Right.
She lifted the shoulder of her t-shirt to wipe the sweat forming at her brow and then lifted a hand to wave at the neighbor jogging in the opposite direction, her border collie leading the way.
Most of Sam's early morning runs took place at the SGC, pounding away on a treadmill. It was a fine workout. Kept her in proper military shape, ensured she'd be able to run from the bad guys while wearing fifty pounds of gear and dodging weapons fire. But running served another purpose as well.
Left. Right. Left. Right. Sam turned the corner and forced herself to slow her pace a bit as she began the ascent up the third hill on the course. No need to burn herself out early.
When she could, she did her morning runs in her neighborhood. She preferred to be out just after the sun came up. It was a popular time to be out, especially when the weather was nice, and for an hour, she could run along with her neighbors, past people walking dogs and parents with strollers, solo runners, pairs of walkers, groups of runners training for an upcoming race. As she breezed past houses and condos, she felt normal, like she didn't spend her days working on alien technologies and travelling across the galaxy. Like she was just like everyone else out there.
She reached the crest of the hill and allowed her stride to lengthen, using gravity to help propel her down the hill. Left. Right. Left. Right.
When she was younger, she would use running as a way to escape. It was a stress reliever, a way to pound her tension into the pavement. Now, running was a different kind of stress relief. She could allow her mind to wander. She could enjoy the peace and quiet of the early morning. She could focus on the burn in her muscles and not let work drag her down. Sometimes the change of venue was exactly what she needed. A number of problems had been solved while she was out for a run.
Red light. She stopped and stretched her muscles, waiting for the light to change again.
A few years ago, Daniel had tried running with her. But Daniel was much too chatty a running partner. Daniel worked out his problems by talking them out. Sam preferred to think hers through, or simply to not think about them at all, to let the rhythm of her feet lull her away from the distractions.
Last month, Vala had asked to run with her. Sam considered that for less than half a second. Not only was Vala even chattier than Daniel, but Sam had a sneaking feeling that Vala's running attire would be skimpy and grab the attention of all the neighbors. Sam preferred to blend in. She suggested Vala try Daniel as a running partner.
Green light. She crossed the street. Less than half a mile left. She picked up the pace. This was her favorite part of the run. The last little bit, where she pushed her body as much as she could, felt the burning in her legs as the wind ruffled her hair. She felt like she was flying, like she was faster and stronger than ever. For some people, pushing their bodies to the max was torture, but for Sam it was pure pleasure, the moment when she felt most at peace.
And finish. Left. Right. Left. Right. Slower now, as she began her cooldown walk back towards her house. She wiped the sweat from her forehead with the shoulder of her t-shirt and ran her fingers through her sweat-slicked hair, pushing it off her face. She had just enough time to grab a quick shower before she had to head back to the SGC. She really hadn't had time for a run this morning, but even with all the rushing around she would have to do in the next hour, every step had still been worth it.
Fandom: Stargate SG-1
Rating: G
Summary: She felt like she was flying, like she was faster and stronger than ever.
Character/Pairing: Just Sam
Warnings: Might make you want to slip on a pair of trainers.
Author’s Notes: Written while I should have been studying. If I am not allowed to graduate in 2 weeks, please point me back to this fic. Also, please note that it took me two fic prompts to get this story out. I had been wanting to do a running story, and then when I saw the prompt, I figured there would be lots of motorcycle fics, and that this would be a perfect alternative.
Left. Right. Left. Right. Quick stutter step to leap over an errant tree root. Left. Right.
She lifted the shoulder of her t-shirt to wipe the sweat forming at her brow and then lifted a hand to wave at the neighbor jogging in the opposite direction, her border collie leading the way.
Most of Sam's early morning runs took place at the SGC, pounding away on a treadmill. It was a fine workout. Kept her in proper military shape, ensured she'd be able to run from the bad guys while wearing fifty pounds of gear and dodging weapons fire. But running served another purpose as well.
Left. Right. Left. Right. Sam turned the corner and forced herself to slow her pace a bit as she began the ascent up the third hill on the course. No need to burn herself out early.
When she could, she did her morning runs in her neighborhood. She preferred to be out just after the sun came up. It was a popular time to be out, especially when the weather was nice, and for an hour, she could run along with her neighbors, past people walking dogs and parents with strollers, solo runners, pairs of walkers, groups of runners training for an upcoming race. As she breezed past houses and condos, she felt normal, like she didn't spend her days working on alien technologies and travelling across the galaxy. Like she was just like everyone else out there.
She reached the crest of the hill and allowed her stride to lengthen, using gravity to help propel her down the hill. Left. Right. Left. Right.
When she was younger, she would use running as a way to escape. It was a stress reliever, a way to pound her tension into the pavement. Now, running was a different kind of stress relief. She could allow her mind to wander. She could enjoy the peace and quiet of the early morning. She could focus on the burn in her muscles and not let work drag her down. Sometimes the change of venue was exactly what she needed. A number of problems had been solved while she was out for a run.
Red light. She stopped and stretched her muscles, waiting for the light to change again.
A few years ago, Daniel had tried running with her. But Daniel was much too chatty a running partner. Daniel worked out his problems by talking them out. Sam preferred to think hers through, or simply to not think about them at all, to let the rhythm of her feet lull her away from the distractions.
Last month, Vala had asked to run with her. Sam considered that for less than half a second. Not only was Vala even chattier than Daniel, but Sam had a sneaking feeling that Vala's running attire would be skimpy and grab the attention of all the neighbors. Sam preferred to blend in. She suggested Vala try Daniel as a running partner.
Green light. She crossed the street. Less than half a mile left. She picked up the pace. This was her favorite part of the run. The last little bit, where she pushed her body as much as she could, felt the burning in her legs as the wind ruffled her hair. She felt like she was flying, like she was faster and stronger than ever. For some people, pushing their bodies to the max was torture, but for Sam it was pure pleasure, the moment when she felt most at peace.
And finish. Left. Right. Left. Right. Slower now, as she began her cooldown walk back towards her house. She wiped the sweat from her forehead with the shoulder of her t-shirt and ran her fingers through her sweat-slicked hair, pushing it off her face. She had just enough time to grab a quick shower before she had to head back to the SGC. She really hadn't had time for a run this morning, but even with all the rushing around she would have to do in the next hour, every step had still been worth it.