Marathon Woman

Disclaimer: JOAN OF ARCADIA is the creation of Barbara Hall and I have no legal rights to the story or characters.

A/N: Thanksto those who reviewed. I really enjoyed reading your comments and will do my best to update at least once a week. Please note that although this story is set post "Dive" it is also pre "Shadows and Light", before Adam and Joan's relationship goes through its downward spiral. Enjoy!

Chapter 3: And the Training Begins

"What's this about you signing up for the marathon? I can hardly get you to walk to the store two blocks from us - you'd rather take the car." Helen looked skeptically at Joan as she walked through the front door.

Rolling her eyes, Joan turned to grouch "You've always told me to exercise. I'm just following your advice."

"Oh, but Joan, a marathon? Do you really think you're capable…"

"Hey, hey! Where's your faith in me?"

"I have complete faith in you, dear. It's just…" her mom's voice trailed off.

Folding her arms across her chest, Joan stared at her mom. "You don't think I can do this?"

"Of course you can. Just, you know, it's not really your thing. I mean, you've been doing so much lately, with school, picking out colleges… And, you know, you tried diving not too long ago and never really finished."

"That wasn't my fault! The coach kicked me off the team because I pushed someone who made fun of Luke."

"Yes, that was very nice of you, dear. But, still…"

"This is different. It's a one shot deal. And Adam said he would help me."

"Oh, is Adam going to do the run, too?"

"No, he can't. But, you know, he said he would cheer me on. Something you obviously aren't willing to do."

"Oh, honey, don't say that! Of course your father and I will cheer you on. We'll even sponsor you! How much money would you like us to pledge."

Joan smiled. The guilt trip worked every time. "Well, I haven't had any pledges, yet. What about $50?"

"$50! That's a lot more than I would have expected. What about $25. That's a nice number."

Joan's smile broadened, giving her mother the impression that that's the amount she was going for all along.

"Great. Here's my form."

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"There's a sharp pain in my side. That can't be good. Oh. Oh. I can't. I have to…" Collapsing to the ground, Joan sat panting, trying to catch her breath. "There's… got… to.. be… another… way…" She said between gasps.

Adam looked down at her, his breath catching as well. Handing her a bottle of water, he squatted down beside her. "Well, we ran two blocks before stopping, that's good."

"Adam! That's horrible! How am I supposed to do ten miles? I can't even go two blocks."

"You're just starting. Maybe we need to revise your plan. I don't think running full-out the first time out is the best way to do it. Maybe you should alternate - jog a bit, walk a bit, jog a little more. You know, slow and steady, right?"

"You think?"

Patting her knee lightly he said, "Cha, it's got to be better than collapsing after two minutes. You know, maybe you should ask Friedman to help."

"Yeah, but then I would actually have to BE with Friedman, voluntarily, for more than ten minutes a day. I don't think I can do that."

Laughing, he pulled Joan to her feet. "Alright, let's try it. I can't really run with you for too long. I have to head to work soon."

Dusting her hands on her pants, she nodded. "No problem. I don't think I can keep going for that much longer anyway."

"Let's start off slowly."

"Slow is good." She began jogging with Adam by her side. A block and a half later, her breathing ragged, she slowed to a walk. Adam adjusted his speed to hers. Amiably, they walked in silence until their breathing slowed to normal.

"Well, this isn't so bad. Except if I do this for ten miles it'll take me the whole day."

"It'll be fine."

"Yeah, I guess. Wanna start the jogging thing again?"

Looking down at his watch, he frowned. "Sorry. I have to go home. I need a quick shower before I head to work. I don't really mind being sweaty, but I think the others won't be so impressed being crammed in an enclosed space with me."

Smiling, Joan said, "Hey, it's the new scent this season: Eau de Sweat. I'm sure you guys could make a successful ad campaign for it."

"Ha ha." Giving her a quick kiss, he turned towards home. "Keep at it, Jane. Just don't push yourself too hard, yo."

She watched him run in the direction of home and thought, "If I don't push myself hard, than I can't get this done. Maybe I'll run just a little bit faster, and little bit longer. How bad could it be?"

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She learned that it could be very, very bad to push too hard. Groaning, she eased her body out of bed the next morning. Every single part of her ached. Painstakingly, she waddled to the bathroom only to find Luke waiting at the door.

"Who's in the washroom?"

"Kevin. I have first dibs though. What's wrong with you? You look horrible."

"Thanks. Let me return the compliment. Oohh, my back." She tried futilely to massage her back while Luke stared at her. "I tried running yesterday. It did not agree with me."

"Did you stretch?"

"Of course I stretched."

"Before and after you ran?"

"After I ran?" She looked doubtfully at her brother.

"Yeah, after. It's not good enough to just do it before hand. That's just to limber up. You should stretch afterwards, too. It helps in the cooling down process."

"Cooling down process?"

"Is there an echo in the room?"

Sticking out her tongue at him, she sat down on the floor to give her aching legs a rest.

"Why do you know so much about stretching?"

"It's common sense, Joan. Something that you obviously lack."

"If I had enough energy I would smack you."

"Why do you want to smack Luke?" Kevin asked as he wheeled out of the bathroom.

"Finally," Luke muttered.

"He's just being a royal pain. Hey, you look nice. Where are you off, to?"

"Work. Nowhere special."

"So why the new shirt and, is that the overpowering scent of your cologne I detect?"

"Lay off. What's with you, anyway. You look like you're in pain."

"Just sore from running."

"Did you stretch?"

Rolling her eyes, she groused, "Don't you start, too."

"Hey, it was just a question. Feel better."

As Kevin made his way down the hall, Jane pounded on the bathroom door (at least as loudly as her weak limbs would allow). "Aren't you done, yet!"

"I just got in."

Irritated, Joan couldn't help but think that it was going to a long day.

(tbc)