The Olympic Runner
My lungs were burning as if on fire With every step i took my heart pumped harder my breath grew more desperate my legs turned jellylike "Can't give up Won't give up Can't give up" I chanted silently in my head willing my legs to be that of a robot willing my breath to slow down willing my heart to magically enlarge willing my lungs to cool down as i tackled the course A few runners ran past me Huffing and puffing i ran harder Not wanting to be left in the dust Not wanting to be outrun by them Not wanting to lose I thought of the past few months of daily training I thought of all the hopes pinned on me I thought of my countrymen I thought of my coach I thought of my family I thought of my Olympic medal dreams "No i can't lose just like that" I reminded myself Pushing on I ran harder trying to overtake the other runners But they were fast Really fast Faster than me "400m more to the finishing line Go