At the Starting Line

Published in The Cross Country Journal:


The air was still.
It was quiet.
We felt tired,
Nervous,
Nervous with anticipation and excitement.
Hearts pounding loud,
For the whole world to hear.
All warmed up, didn’t feel ready.
“15 seconds!”
Anticipatory murmurs.
Last “good lucks” are said.


The air was pressuring.
So many thoughts,
Voices.
Have to win,
Have to be the best.
So much pressure from friends and family,
Make us proud,
Be number one,
Don’t disappoint us.
The sun, bright, blinding,
Eyes watering.
You think,
“Just do your best.”


The air was chilling.
We were all wearing our uniforms,
Spandex and long-sleeved shirts underneath.
I placed my frozen foot behind the line.
Last minute stretching,
Last minute thinking.
“10..9..8..7..6..5..”
The starting official stops,
And raises his hand to the sky.
Arms out in front of me.
This is it,
Relax,
And breathe.