Two minutes. Waiting.

My heart is ready to burst.

The lanes are naked, clean,

ready to be torn up by cleats

and sweat.

Hundreds of eyes blinking and

staring.

Chatter swarmed into a calm

storm underneath this dome.

Waiting is the hardest part.

The anticipation, building.

Struggling to breathe as I

strategize.

Faster here.

Ease up here.

Go for the kill.

Take him.

A vision.

It’s almost time. Everything

is clenched. Find my control.

Don’t go out too fast, find your

stride. Tail the leader.

Wait for the moment.

Step up onto the lanes.

Red and white.

My teammates looking on.

The stakes digging into my

Stomach.

Step up to your blocks.

My heart beats faster.

I want to throw up.

This is it.

On your mark.

My ankles shiver.

Adrenaline at full throttle.

I can’t lose. I can’t lose. Go.