Zero pain, zero weariness
My shoes are clean like blossomed lillies
My heart beating silently, awake, and ready
Eyes focused on winning
Winning in my heart--not the race
Achieving pride and happiness.

The gun snaps and a bullet hits the sky
My foot slams the ground
One step, two steps, three steps...
Left foot, right foot, left foot, right foot

The race ends at 26 minutes and 14 seconds
A load of pain, a load of weariness
My legs are sprinkled with dirt and sweat
My shins are the cracking of a breaking bone
I take breaths as long as a nightmare
Shivering, trembling, gasping, elongated.

My eyes are focused on the outcome of the race
A three second improvement
My mind is focused on what I didn't do
On the fact that I hadn't yet won in my heart
Nor pride, nor happiness.
For me, there's no time to celebrate.
Because I can always do better.