I can hardly believe it. I am at the Junior Olympics swim meet, and I an about to race. I am so nervous, I hyperventilate. My chosen event, the 500 free, is 20 lengths. This means that the racer has to be strong and determined.

I get up on the starting block, and it feels like I have swallowed a live octopus. The official calls to us from his podium “On your mark, ready, go!

All the swimmers dive into the water and start sprinting to the other side of the pool. I fight hard, and by lap 10 there are three of us side by side. I push and kick my legs, but its no good. However, I try my hardest. Then at lap 15, I think to myself “No! I will not let this happen! I worked hard to get here! “

With his thought I receive a burst of fresh energy and swim so hard, I an a half pool ahead of my competitors. Finally, I am on lap 20, and I fell lucid. Yet, I come through and win the race (and get a best time). I get out of the water, not able to move my arms, but the happiest I have ever been.