On your marks.....

Set. Go. Every morning (and evening), as I approach the subway station I hear those imaginary words in my head. There is the faintest crack of the starter pistol as I bunch up my feet in the customary flip-flops and grip my stilettos as tightly as possible. And then the race is on.
The first leg involves a mad dash down the stairs and some serious diving to be grab the last AM New York. As with all free newspapers, there is pretty much nothing of consequence to be found within the pages of this rag, but free is free. Having completed the first leg, and now precariously balancing my shoes, my coffee, my bagel and my free newspaper, I commence the second leg. This must be done faster and requires significantly more concentration as the general idea is to grab my metrocard between my teeth and swipe it while rushing through the turnstile before someone steals my ride. This is more of an art than anything else, as you have to tilt your body just so to get the right amount of torque for perfect manoeuvreability.
Now the race is half done and the adrenaline kicks in as my goal is in sight. To embark on the third leg, I weave as close to the edge of the stairs as possible and arrive on the platform.This is where I have to cross an obstacle course of screaming kids, exhausted parents headed for work, trendy hipsters heading to bed, anorexic models not quite sure what time it is and prissy uptown girls offended to be there. If I run this leg of the race correctly, then I end up at the front of the platform, on the spot that says 'STAND CLEAR'.
And now the finish line is right there, I taste victory as the train whistles into the station blowing my hair right off my face and clearing the way. I spy my desired spot, an empty seat in the far left corner of the carriage, with an air-conditioning vent strategically placed just above. I employ all the skills of visualisation taught by self-help gurus across the country (Dr Phil owes me big time!) seeing myself at one with that spot in the carriage. As the doors fly open, the road runner has nothing on me! Before you can blink, I have settled myself into the seat. I balance my coffee and bagel on my lap, open the newspaper to the sudoku puzzle and sit back to savour the fruits of my labour. A seat on the 20 minute ride to work.......aaah bliss.

The New York City Subway Marathon...I run it everyday, best way to get the blood pumping.