Far From Finish

races to finish

"This is my world". 6 pm, kids scattered inside the field perimeter like little pieces of salt in a plate. Screaming and cheering from the stadium seats. Fathers screaming for their sons and daughters as they race down the track. Mothers holding babies, trying to comfort their young ones. "100 meters for ages 13-14 last call!" There he is. A young boy bound for success and fame.
"I'm loose baby"
As I set up my starting block, something clicked inside me that haunts my mind day to day.
"What if. I lose"
"What if. I trip"
"What if. I jump the gun"
What if. I FUCK UP"
Its all about what if. I can guarantee that any track athlete who may or may not read this will agree to this problem.
"WHAT IF"
Every track athlete is afraid of falling in a middle of a race. Because 15 seconds of a 100m or 200m specialist runner racing down the track can change their life for the future. Once that gun blow, you react so quickly that as if there was no gap between the you and the gunfire. But there is, its all in the mind. That's what you THINK. its all ifs.

I walked up to my block gently and stared at it as if it was guilty. I grabbed the right step, bending down and nailing to the rubbery track. Pinching through my flesh like a needle. Facing the block I took one step and placed the step on the right side. I grabbed the other step and took two steps and placed the step down on the left side. At this point I'm done setting up.
As the gunman whistled his whistle I stepped up to my line and placed my block.
"Take your warmup starts gentlemen"
I did as asked. I took my start. I was taught by my coach to take the first 10m of the race with quick steps. At first I thought it was weak but I could trust my coach as he has been to junior Olympics before. The whistle whistled again.
Prrrrrrrrrr!!!
"Gentlemen stand behind your blocks"
I took a deep breath for last measures to insure my breathing was in check.
"On your marks!"
I walked infront of my block looked up and made the sign of god. Kissing my right hand and pointing it to the clear sky. My eyes felt like sparkling. As if I was meant to cry. Looking up made me feel CLEARED UP.
The sky was so clear and simple but so gorgeous to stare at. I looked down and jumped twice to loosin my legs up. I backed my body up to the block as if I was a truck backing up to a station. Pushing my leg as if I was paddling a bike and rested it after 3 kicks. So I did the other. My head down staring at the rubber track. So focused and cleared. Two legs stationed to its dezegnated position. The right foot closer to my chest. The left way back. Exactly a foot apart from the other. My hands behind the line as ruled in the book. The whole block exactly two foot length away from the line.
"Set!"
My butt raised up. Legs almost 90° angled. My hands support all my body weight. My head raised, my eyes looking at the finish line. What a great feeling to pass that rope first! Being the one to finish first! Dragging the rope after the race around your waist because youre too fast to stop instantly! Needing to slow down on the curve! My mouth laid down flopping.
Bammmmmm!!!
Once that gun fires you react quick. Taking my first 10m with short steps. My head and chest in front of my whole body. My head stay low gaining all the speed for the rest of the race. This is called the drive phase. After the first 10m, I slowly pull my head up. Taking short breathes. Inhaling every time my left hand passes my face. My arms 90° angled for the rest of the race. Stomach to head my body is straight and still. My arms,my legs, my mouth are the only thing moving. The rest are still. Pumping my arms as fast as I can. My hands open. The faster you pump your arms the faster you go. This is called drive phase. The last 10m is when you gather yourself up. Your head and chest are infront of your legs. Gaining momentom to win the race. This is called the accelerate phase. I executed this technique perfectly. I took first for the 100m. My next race is the 200m. Twice as long and twice as hard as the 100m.