Run For It Read Free

could be running that distance in three months, yes.”
    Theo felt excited by the thought. He could imagine how Aunt Marj would react if she knew he was going to do this for her.
     If there was a chance he could really do it…
    “I’d like to try,” he said suddenly. “I mean, that’d be great, if I could run that race.”
    “I’ll be happy to help get you started,” Mr. Baskin said. “Whether you stick with it is up to you. You have to make a serious
     commitment to running. Are you willing to do that?”
    Theo was surprised to find himself saying, “I think so. When can I start?”
    “Tomorrow is Saturday,” said Paul’s father. “I canmeet you in the park tomorrow morning, if that works for you.”
    Theo grinned. “Yeah, that’d be great! I really appreciate this, Mr. Baskin.”
    The man replied, “No problem. You remind me of me at your age. How does eleven o’clock sound?”
    “Okay,” Theo replied. “Uh, do I need any equipment? Anything special?”
    “For tomorrow,” said Mr. Baskin, “you need a pair of sneakers, comfortable clothes to work out in, and a wristwatch.”
    “I’d like to come, too,” said Paul, “if it’s all right with Theo.”
    “Sure,” Theo said. It was hard to believe. But he was going to do it! After all, what did he have to lose? Except maybe some
     fat?

3
    D ressed in shorts, a T-shirt, and sneakers and wearing an old wristwatch of his father’s, Theo walked to the park the next
     morning. It was a warm, sunny day, and he passed a number of runners of different ages. He thought that soon he might be one
     of them.
    His parents had been delighted when Theo told them of his plan. They suggested that he telephone Aunt Marj. Theo had hesitated,
     reluctant to disappoint her if he didn’t meet his goal. But the temptation had proved too strong.
    Marj had sounded weak on the phone, but there was no mistaking the pleasure she had felt. “That’s wonderful news, hon. It’s
     the best medicine I could have!”
    “I might not be able to do it,” Theo had cautioned her.
    “I’ll bet you will. And just knowing that you care enough to try is wonderful. Good luck, hon, and let me know how it’s going.”
    Theo caught sight of Paul and Mr. Baskin waiting near a path under some trees. He waved to them, and they waved back.
    “Hi, Theo,” Mr. Baskin said. “You ready?”
    “I guess,” Theo said. “So, do we just, like, start running?”
    “Not yet,” said Paul’s dad. “The first thing we begin with is stretching. You’re going to begin and end every workout by doing
     some stretches. They’ll protect you from injuries like pulled muscles.”
    Mr. Baskin went over to a nearby building and said, “First, I’ll do each stretch, and then you do it. This one is for your
     calf muscles.”
    Mr. Baskin stood a few feet from the wall and stepped forward on his right foot. He leaned forward and rested his forearms
     against the wall so that his left leg was straight and the heel of his left foot was off the ground.
    He looked back to Theo. “Now I’m going to push against the wall and, at the same time, press my left heel down toward the
     ground — not too hard,
gently
— to stretch the left calf muscle. Then I’ll hold that position while I count slowly to ten.”
    After this, Mr. Baskin switched legs and stretched the calf of his right leg. Then he gestured to Theo. “Let’s see you try
     it.”
    Theo got into position and pushed down with his left heel.
    “Careful, not too hard,” cautioned Paul’s father. “Can you feel the stretch?”
    “Yeah,” Theo said.
    “Hold it for a ten count, then switch legs,” Mr. Baskin said.
    After Theo had finished, Mr. Baskin said, “Okay. Paul, your turn.”
    Once his son had finished, Mr. Baskin said, “Now for the thigh muscles.”
    Theo learned ten stretches in all, for his legs, arms, and back. When they were finished, he said, “I don’t think I can remember
     all this.”
    “Don’t worry,” Mr. Baskin