The Run | Teen Ink

The Run

February 16, 2010
By Sarbear GOLD, Milan, Ohio
Sarbear GOLD, Milan, Ohio
10 articles 4 photos 489 comments

Favorite Quote:
--Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away from them and you have their shoes.
--When life gives you lemons, squirt them in people's eyes.


The Run

I’m scared out of my mind,
Two mile cross country race,
My nerves are uncontrollable,
It’s indescribable,

It’s the day of the race,
It takes a team to win,
What if I lose this for them?
It’s indescribable,

I’m called to the starting line,
My teammates are supporting,
My coaches remind me of how hard I’ve worked,
I’ve earned this,

A man holds up a false gun,
The shot rings in my ears,
My steps form into strides,
I’ve earned this,

Tap, tap, tap, tap, and my Nike shoes hit the grass,

My feet fly across the ground,
My pink spikes grip into hills,
Any remaining tension fades,
I’ve earned this,

Tap, tap, tap, tap,

Wind hits me in the face,
Cold tears stream down my cheeks,
My legs ache,
I push through,

Tap, tap, tap, tap,

My fragile ankle throbs,
My breathing comes too fast,
My side hurts,
I push through,

Tap, tap, tap, tap,

My mind will not shut up,
I wish I could turn it off,
It’s telling me to stop,
I can’t,

Tap, tap, tap, tap,

My ankle threatens to give,
My muscles are cold and stiff,
Maybe I should stop,
I can’t,

Tap, tap, tap, tap,

I’ve already finished a mile,
Six minutes and thirty seconds,
Pain is temporary, victory is forever,
I give all I have,

Tap, tap, tap, tap,

Three quarters to go now,
My legs are numb from the cold,
I feel like I could run forever,
I give all I have,

Tap, tap, tap, tap,

My mind is finally silenced,
I’m in a groove as I approach the finish,
I lengthen my strides until I’m sprinting,
I’m almost there,

Tap, tap, tap, tap,

Cheers erupt from the crowd,
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,
I chant that when I’m tempted to stop,
I’m almost there,

Tap, tap, tap, tap,

I’ve passed the line and my tag’s ripped off,
10th place with a personal record,
Thirteen minutes and thirty five seconds,
I made it,

I’m the fifth Charger to finish,
My team congratulates me,
I’m so proud of myself,
I made it,

My energy is gone and I just want to rest,
All that exerted force was well used,
I know I did everything I could,
Victory is indescribable.


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JOIN THE DISCUSSION

This article has 27 comments.


on Mar. 18 2010 at 5:48 pm
HappySappy SILVER, Berlin Heights, Ohio
6 articles 0 photos 34 comments

Favorite Quote:
Courage is the magic that turns dreams into reality.

An eye for an eye makes the whole world go blind.

yet again sarbear you have gone beyond expectation. although im not good at cross country, i felt that fast speed as i ran the race in your poem. i felt the temporary pain and the numbness in my legs (but in real life i really dont want to race a cold sbc again!). keep writing!! :)

Sarbear GOLD said...
on Mar. 18 2010 at 3:17 pm
Sarbear GOLD, Milan, Ohio
10 articles 4 photos 489 comments

Favorite Quote:
--Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away from them and you have their shoes.
--When life gives you lemons, squirt them in people's eyes.

Thank you!

on Mar. 7 2010 at 4:22 pm
Squishy-Squish SILVER, Port Richey, Florida
8 articles 2 photos 36 comments

Favorite Quote:
"You can hurt me with the truth, but don't comfort me with your lies."

I know how you feel in the races. It nice how you explain every step of it. Love it.

Breaker! said...
on Feb. 27 2010 at 9:29 am
Your passion for running comes sprinting through this one! Love it! Tap, tap, tap...hopefully this will be the sound of your keyboard as you type yet another amazing poem for us all to be blessed by!!

on Feb. 26 2010 at 8:46 pm
Lola_Sveroski, Manschef, Ohio
0 articles 0 photos 35 comments

Favorite Quote:
I am an author. Normal was out of the question by the age of three.

Love it. Fast person describing running... Interesting... Lola likes, Lola likes.

on Feb. 25 2010 at 8:38 pm
AMCLRIDCA PLATINUM, CDA, Idaho
31 articles 2 photos 226 comments

Favorite Quote:
Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take... but by the moments that take your breath away.

That was GREAT! It really made me feel like i was watching someone race!!! You are a fantastic writer! Keep writing and you will go far!

Odyssey said...
on Feb. 23 2010 at 6:19 am
As a former competitive runner, this is my favorite poem of yours.

I also like it best because it was your first effort at writing poems.

The poem tells a lot about how cross country is a team sport and an individual sport all rolled into one.

Can't wait for more of your writing, Sarah!