My feet hit the track, I was gasping for breath. Stands at Hayward field were packed, people applauded while I dripped with sweat. I pushed myself harder than I ever had that day, it was the worst 6 minutes I had ever run. Exhaustion overtook my brain, my legs felt as if they were going to give out. And yet I strained and passed another person. For the last part of the race I sprinted, surrendering the tiny bit of energy I had remaining. Sprinting across the finish line, the judge shoved a popsicle stick into my hand, with my score on it. In tiny letters was a 10. Disappointment crushed me. A whole season of maximum effort and exerting myself, felt wasted all because I received an inferior 10.
Nevertheless, I congratulated and thanked my competitors,
Nevertheless, I congratulated and thanked my competitors,