Conditioning on the Steps

I worked my way down from the table and slipped past the porch door crack into the open air. Staying indoors had dulled my stride, so I treated the concrete steps as a conditioning course. At the second landing, I squared up before a heavy river stone holding down the welcome mat. Bracing my shield against my forearm, I used the stone's flat top for a disciplined cycle of step-ups, testing boot traction and joint pivot against rough mineral. Twenty clean repetitions. Breathing measured, balance restored. The ground out here is wide, and my footing is solid.