It’s 3:26. The only thing that’s racing through my mind
is finishing this course.
My pulse is bursting through my wrists like a beating drum
and my calves are thriving with pain.
I’m finally behind the bus garage where the trail behind
it seems to have no end.
The salty sweat from my forehead
slowly slides down to my soft red cheeks.
I’m alone on this endless trail
with no one to be seen in front of me.
The only thing I hear is the crispy leaves crunching
underneath my feet and my heavy
breathing inhaling and exhaling.
“Two Miles” was spray painted onto the soaked green grass.
I knew I was almost done but the
whispers in my head were telling me to stop.
But I declined.
All around me was the color changing trees
with their swaying branches and the swift autumn breeze
was blowing through my hair. 
I was exhausted, I wanted to stop, but I kept on going.
I knew if I stopped now it wouldn’t get
me any closer to finishing. THUMP, THUMP, THUMP,
my feet feel like weights holding themselves down,
heavy with a force like no other. I’m finally heading up
to last 200 meters, so I give it my all,
focusing on my strides and speed. The pebbles
on the dirt road were rumbling beneath me
as I sprinted toward the end as I gave the pavement one big
finale step.