The run

The chill
the wait      
the darkness
before the dawn

Anticipation  
before the dawn   

all have come                  
for the same reason

Hundreds, no!     
More than hundreds         
have arrived.       

the time is coming.

The time has come         
the race begins

My feet launch me forward             
I bursts fourth

The corral is large,      
the course will thin         
run forth    

One must break free               
the adrenalin breaks free   
     

Anticipation grows to action               
It’s easy to get lost        
lost   

lost in the freedom

The rush
The run

The first mile passes              
Too fast!     
One must pace themselves

Slow down,    
slow down      
I command my legs    
slow down     

It’s not about the speed

One must finish the race

Another mile passes        
and another        
one must pace them self

Another person passes    
and another          
and another          

Adrenalin pushes   
Pass them!   
It screams as I run       
the others run ahead

5k marker!        
Pace yourself               
the race has just begun

Keep the pace       
run the race                  
another mile                   
another mile

Each mile seems longer    
keep running          
every step is a step closer       
closer

Closer to the end  
closer to victory    
it’s not about speed                 
no

It’s not about those who pass you
not about those whom you pass

The race goes on  
every step   
a battle of will

Mile 9          
just keep moving        
lungs burning

Dagger in my side
aching muscles
      
just keep going

Just another step        
Just another mile.        
just another 5k    

don’t stop

Mile 12        
my legs        
I can’t feel my legs        

Keep moving          
these numb feet are still holding

If I slow…     
Stopping will cause my feet to fail    
  

Failure                  
I refuse that word        
no      
no stopping for me

Last stretch           
13th mile marker   
I’ve passed it

The end is near     
turn the corner     
It is in sight

I see the finish             
the finish line                 
so close

I try to run       
run to the finish        
It is farther than I thought

Keep going    
the end is near      
last burst of strength

Run       
dash        
Last burst of strength             

this is it

The end       
Victory

I run past the finish                
My legs don’t stop
Pull the breaks      

I force them to  stop 
  
My legs       
they stop moving

But they can’t      
can't stop           
shaking        
can’t stop shaking

Victory              
ran the distance      
Still standing

I Finished the race