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You would think the second time doing something it would get easier. But we are talking about an academy where physical fitness is a prerequisite. Well this time the age factor is also a slight drawback. The youngsters could care less that you have the Chicago Police Academy under your belt. I guess it's the layer of fat that is under the belt that they don't respect. The youngsters are also under the impression that I was one of the Pinkerton Detective Agency founders. The academy I am talking about is the Travis County Sheriff's office. That's Travis County in Texas.
It's a long way from Chicago where I recently retired from the Chicago Police Department. That academy was a breeze physically but did I mention, I was a mere thirty three years of age. At the Travis County Sheriff's Academy, the youngsters are respectful of their elders but I don't count because I'm one of them.
I get to give advice but sometimes it falls on deaf ears. They can't seem to take me seriously. Maybe it's due to lagging behind on the three mile run. I am not talking a few yards. It's a long enough distance that were I to hail a taxi, the fare would be over $20 dollars just to catch sight of my running compadres.
The instructors also can't figure out what I'm doing here. They can't seem to stop staring at me. I can only surmise that it's like watching a car crash. You wonder if there will be anyone left alive. The ultimate insult is, and please I am not a sexist, but even the women are passing me in the run.
The only thing that I can compare my running to or lack of running is an old jalopy with bad brakes, no passing gear and the transmission slips. The only thing missing is that puff of old brown noxious and mysterious smoke appearing upon starting. I am determined to graduate from this academy though it's not going to be pretty. I do have a few successes.
The youngsters marvel at the fact that I can control my drool and that I wear regular underwear. One young man informed me quietly that his grandmother wears rubber under wear. The part I didn't get is the patting of my behind after sharing this tidbit with me. Well it's that time again we are forming up for our morning run.
The instructor is also a youngster and asks without looking at me if anyone needs to go to the rest room.
Gilberto Espinosa is a former Chicago police officer and a newly sworn in deputy with the Travis County Sheriff's Dept. Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites        
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