I Run

• Jackson Simpson
• Short Story
• 2011

I focus directly on the finishing line.
The distance is exactly 100 meters.
I take a deep breath and move into position.
The kid next to me says something, but I ignore it.
Today I’m going to win, nothing will stop me.
100 meters isn’t far, I can beat these guys no sweat.
Everything suddenly turns to slow motion.
A teacher with the starter gun takes his place on the outside of the lines.
“On your marks, get set, GO!!!”.
The gun cracks and I push off with great speed.
I’m in the lead, I knew it would be easy.
I am going to win!
A bad thought suddenly pops into my head, I forgot to stretch before the race!
This is bad, very bad.
If I don’t stretch, I don’t win because my leg muscles pull easily.
Suddenly I feel a great pain in my right knee.
I fall over and hit the ground face first.
I look behind me to see the other racers coming up fast.
I get back up and try to run, it hurts too much though.
Even though I’m limping, I have to try.
First off Gavin passes me, then Nick, then Peter, then Robert, and then Michael.
I am coming last, but I keep going.
The wind pushes against my face and the rain pours down on my head but I still keep going.
I know its not about winning, Its about crossing the finishing line.
There is 5 meters left to go, I can do it!
I look ahead and see everybody cheering for Gavin.
As I hobble over the finishing line I feel a wave of disappointment wash through me.
Maybe what happened today was karma.
I got to ahead of myself and thought I was all that, but in the end my stupid thoughts got the better of me.
Hey that’s funny, my knee doesn’t hurt anymore.