BANG! I instinctively gave a start at the crack of a gunshot. My teammate sprinted off and the anticipation of receiving the baton in less than 30 seconds sent jolts of adrenaline through my veins. Rubbing nervously and restlessly at my arms, I jogged tensely to my lane. In 5th place, the first leg was rapidly wiping out the distance between us. As she charged full speed at me, my throat clenched tighter and my heart executed a triple axel. Flustered, I shook out my fingers and danced around on my toes, desperately trying to alleviate my anxiety. Within seconds she was already three steps behind me. I whipped my head around and bounded forward with fervor.

Smack- I clutched the baton in my white knuckles, excitement exuding from my soul. As I gripped reputation, expectation, and responsibility in my slightly damp and trembling hand, my arms sliced through the air and my legs whipped forward with ardor. My feet vigorously pounding the rubber, I passed one girl. I accelerated faster with unbridled passion. I passed another, mentally pumping a fist of victory. Cognizant of the rare presence of my parents, relishing the approbation of admiring eyes, preening under the din of cheers, husbris thoroughly consumed me. As the stands, crowd, and track fused into a blur flashing past me, I huffed and puffed to the pinnacle of complacency. I was gliding on Hermes’ winged sandals, I was the indispensable Achilles…Suddenly I was nothing as my world cracked apart and crumbled at my feet.

My spikes skidded, my legs gave out, and my body slammed forward into the rubber. I had slipped on sand accidentally splayed unto my path from the sand pit. Sprawled facedown on the track, I heard the crowds gasp in astonishment. Swift footsteps closed in from behind and passed me in the blink of an eye. I sprung up immediately and abandoned my mercilessly unraveled pride. With my knees bleeding, elbows scraped, and face blazing with shame, I ran under the scrutiny of everyone present.



 

Get Recruited
Put Your Athletic Profile online for FREE