I work through the pain:
calves sliced with hot swords,
eyes burned by salty oceans of sweat,
chest pounded by labored breath
and a heart that has beaten down
the door of inertia.

Second wind discovered
as the onslaught of endorphins
fuel my body.

I push through the
self-inflicted barriers
and smile
as the digital readout
confirms calories burned,
time elapsed
miles traveled.

I continue
in my journey:
To health
To physical improvement
To stress relief
... To myself.

To hell with Paxil --
I have discovered the Elliptical Trainer!