A Runner's Mind
By Katelin Lopez ’25
A man comes on the loudspeaker to let the 200 meter racers know that it’s time to come to the starting line. They organize us into groups by our speed. All of a sudden it hits us that we need to run. We pray a quick Our Father to help with our nerves and wish each other luck. While I’m waiting to run, the breeze grazes my shoulder and I shudder. You would expect spring to be warm, but most meets are pretty chilly. I keep my sweats on for as long as possible, but now there are only 5 heights before I’m up. As my sweats come off and I’m left with just a tank and shorts, the breeze starts to hit me. The group in front of me goes and I feel that familiar pit in my stomach start to form. I pray one last time and I get ready. The man tells us to step forward.“On your marks” he says, so I get into a down start position. Making sure my fingers and legs are positioned properly. Once we are ready he says “Get set” I left up my back, and then the gun goes off. As I stride the curve, I see some of the girls pass me, but I know I will pass them later. I keep my form a little loose, leaping into each step. After I get past the curve I’m pretty tired. At this point I just need to sprint the final 100 meters, easier said than done. So I bring my arms in and start moving them faster. 50 meters left and my vision starts to blur as it always does near the end of a race. Now I see ahead of me the girls that passed me in the beginning of the race, and this gives me enough strength to pass them.At this point my body is on the verge of giving out now, but the finish line is so close. So I muster up all the energy I have left and finish strong. I try to pass the girl in front but she beats me by less then a second. I came in 4th out of 6 girls. Now I try to gain my breath back and walk slowly back on the football field to get my things. My body aches, in my mind I know I will feel this race lingering in my body. I put my sweats back on and join the other girls.
Halloween Party
