I picked up my
blocks and remembered to breathe. Sun, grass and dirt flashing through my
mind. I step out onto the track, a place
I feel comfortable. I find my lane and I
begin.
Adrenaline courses
through my veins as I kneel down and measure out my spot, one palm from the
start line, place blocks. One foot, set left front block. Two feet, set right
back block. Breathe. Check angle of both blocks and adjust if needed. I knew this process by heart; I had them
burned into my memory. Breathe. Check
the angle at the curve. Adjust. Breathe. Time to test my abilities.
My body has
wanted this moment since I stepped off of the bus. A chilly wind came up and caused my warmed
skin to goose bump. I jump up once,
twice, three times and throw my arms back to stretch. I slowly jog to the front of my blocks.
Kneeling down I place my fingers just before the white line and stretch my legs
back places one foot on the back right block and the other on the front left.
Lean forward, spring up and go. Check my
breathing. Check my balance. Adjust if needed. I repeat this process until I
feel adjusted enough then I wait. Breathe. Listen.
Orders come and
soon I stand behind my blocks. More
orders and I come to my marks and when everyone stills, set. My chin, placed
almost against my chest as I stare at the ground in front of me. The only
though I have is to breathe; I have to let my body remember each movement as I
had practiced for countless hours. Listen for the gun, you have this in the
bag, breathe. Bang! Spring up and
forward at the same time. Right foot, left foot, right again, go! Inner corner,
don’t cross the line and go! Straight stretch, stride out, breathe, go! Inner
corner, don’t cross that line, listen for others, breathe, go! Straight
stretch, give it all you have left and go. Beat the ones to your right, pass
the ones on your left, no one in your peripheral, keep them behind you and go.
Hear the screams, the screams that aren’t just for you. I can pick out my Dad
yelling, “Go Jess!” I hear Dori screaming, “Yes Jess!” as I cross the finish
line and break that ribbon. Inhale,
exhale and smile. I turn around and hug each girl, giving them my
congratulations. I walk back to the finish line and I get my time. Breathe, you
did it.
I walked away
from the track that day as a district champ in the 400 meter dash. I also took home district champ for the 800
meter run. When I began my race I knew that divisionals was on the line. The end
of my track season depended on my race. The race overwhelmed me and gave me a
motivation. I wanted that race; it belonged to me and no one else. I set my
mind and I followed through. I took a deep breath and went.
