Achieve anything
All that heartache and long hours of psyching myself really paid off - I did FANTASTIC in the race! I'm truly beginning to show glimmers of my old magnificence. The entire race I managed to stay with the top pack, focusing not on the watery feel of my pounding feet that reminded me of crescent rolls and sardines (for whatever reason), but just on the violent urge to emerge victorious. It was so empowering to be back up there again, everyone breathing heavy and kicking up pebbles. Just amazing.
The pack was at first 6, I believe, then it was 5 when we emerged from the forest (I counted the long, straining shadows thrown across the pavement), then by the time we tackled the road hill and shot back into the forest, it was down to three - me, Heather and Nikki. We sprinted the entire last part of the race, a half mile at least. It must have been incredible to witness, three aching, pushed-to-the-limit beasts shoot out of the woods and sprint even harder the last paved distance, heatedly neck-in-neck. At the very last moment, I pulled ahead of Heather and secured fifth, but the girl handing out the sticks messed up and give Heather fifth and me sixth. I didn't complain, however; Heather has done so much for me and boosted my confidence the entire year. She definitely deserved that place. Means I had to give up third place in Gardner Girls, but a sacrifice I was willing to make.
...Do I need to say it? I'M BACK.
I hate to use these girls as stepping stones, but nothing's stopping me now and each of my teammates are just another rung in the ladder which I will overcome and shine far above, reclaiming that position with Katie that I long for so badly, with all my heart. I feel inexplicable when I run with Katie, we are equally matched in spirit...
The pack was at first 6, I believe, then it was 5 when we emerged from the forest (I counted the long, straining shadows thrown across the pavement), then by the time we tackled the road hill and shot back into the forest, it was down to three - me, Heather and Nikki. We sprinted the entire last part of the race, a half mile at least. It must have been incredible to witness, three aching, pushed-to-the-limit beasts shoot out of the woods and sprint even harder the last paved distance, heatedly neck-in-neck. At the very last moment, I pulled ahead of Heather and secured fifth, but the girl handing out the sticks messed up and give Heather fifth and me sixth. I didn't complain, however; Heather has done so much for me and boosted my confidence the entire year. She definitely deserved that place. Means I had to give up third place in Gardner Girls, but a sacrifice I was willing to make.
...Do I need to say it? I'M BACK.
I hate to use these girls as stepping stones, but nothing's stopping me now and each of my teammates are just another rung in the ladder which I will overcome and shine far above, reclaiming that position with Katie that I long for so badly, with all my heart. I feel inexplicable when I run with Katie, we are equally matched in spirit...