The 800 metres

• Lucy Gardoll, Grade 6
• Short Story
• 2005

“POP!” The shot gun blew off my ear, I didn’t run. I couldn’t, the nerves were eating me up. Everyone was yelling at me in desperation I started running. There weer four girls ahead of me, but I didn’t mind... I was just glad that our teacher had let me into the race. The girls were very fast, but I didn’t care. I felt the wind in my hair as I ran and the cold breeze making my face feel plastered. The St George Oval was very windy and made it hard to run. I daydreamt until I reminded myself, I was in a race, and I had to focus. So I put my head down and told myself.
“I can do it, no I cant, I can do it, no I cant” that chant repeated over and over in my head until I looked up to see no one in front of me. They had probably all finished. I turned to the crowd and everyone in my house colour had their jaws dropped. I turned around and there were four girls behind me! WOW! I was winning! I sprinted further but I was only 450 metre of the way. Then it hit me, a cramp! The stich ached; it twisted my stomach inside and out. It felt like a million knifes going down my oesophagus, not letting me breathe. Yet the girls were catching up so I couldn’t stop, NO WAY! My stomach still churned as I stopped and thought I must give up. Then with one glance back I saw the girls only a few metres away. I COULDN’T STOP! I got up and the pain seemed to vanish. I sped up and turned to see three girls. WHAT?? THREE?? I looked to the side line and saw the fourth girl lying down, she had fainted!
“Disappointing, but I must go on!” I said to myself, I think I might need therapy after this.
I had ran 550 metres and the girls were catching up. I was thinking of pulling out when I heard.
“GO LARA, GO LARA!” It was coming from my team; they were all depending on me!
That was my inspiration, I ran as fast as a cheetah. Its amazing, one day I’m the slowest in the class and the next I’m the fastest. I was 750 metres now and another stich approached my stomach but I had to fight it.
“COME ON!” I said to myself thinking of therapy again.
I forgot about my aching pains on the inside and crossed the line!
”I can’t, what I won? NO, that’s not, NO!” I said in disbelief
But yes it was true I HAD WON THE 800 METRES!
I wonder how much I’ll get payed in the Olympics I ask myself silently and giggled!