The hot afternoon sun beamed down on my down on my flushed face making me look like a swollen black doris plum. I ran along the endless concrete path, eyes squinting against the glare. The path has no foreseeable end as it snakes up the dreaded hill. On my right the calm glassy sea gently laps at the edge of the rocks. It looks so cool, it seems to make me even hotter. My mouth filled with the nauseating flavour of salty sweat as it runs off my face into my gaping mouth. The paths edge is lined with people cheering and yelling the runners on.
I long for the relief and satisfaction of the finish line like somebody with a full bladder desperate for the toilet. The excruciating pain in my chest is almost to enough to stop me but I plod on. I convince my self I’m not far from the end ‘four minutes’ now. On I go.
Somebody called out ‘Keep going Robert’ which gave me a boost of encouragement to persist to the end. My undone laces are flicking and whipping my legs but I dare not stop and tie them as I might loose my determination and will power to finish. On I go.
Finally as I come over the ridge I saw the enormous electric blue blow up finish line bobbling ahead. The finish line, the sky and the sea merge on I go. I can imagine myself ending all this hardship over. I keep telling myself almost there not far now. On I go.
I found my last drop of power to sprint. My legs were by now in greater pain. Closer and closer I draw to the line surrounded with people jam-packed like sardines in a tin can trying to catch a glimpse of who is finishing cheering, screaming and laughing.. Powering toward the line I passed a few struggling runners. Relief at last as I finally reached the end. I was greeted by a tall lanky blonde haired women handing out medals, she congratulated me on my success and handed me a medal.
The medal is sliver and when it’s tilted to the light it shines. Its on an electric blue ribbon. I felt so proud that I had finally conquered my goal my pain and sheer determination has been worth it. This was one of my most proudest moments in my life I will remember forever. Finally the mutt has stopped, my mood has lifted and on I go back to my swot.
