my breaths become staggered as i look around the room,
the urge to give in is very near
as i step up to the line,
my feet begin to tingle.

i know there is no looking back.

when the gun goes off,
everything changes.
my fears are gone
and all that matters is the moment where my toes pass the line.
the crowd howls.

i begin to lose track of
the time,
the crowd,
the laps.

the bell sounds. sprint.
don't think about the pain
don't think about the agony
move faster.
faster.
finish.