My stomach is trembling as I come out of the locker room. I am not nervous, scared or anxious though I feel I'm in a zoo. I search the crowed for a friendly face or two. The sticky air filled chlorine and cream cheese brings out my best. But one look at that glimmering pool still makes me obsessed. I watch as my friends dive off of the blocks, knowing that my turn is around that clock. I hear a whistle and the red letters flash my turn is up soon... now where is my cap; Ipod in ears and goggles in suit preparing my self for my race in heat 2. I glance at my coach with his confirming nod, I check out my opponents to se how I match up. I shake out my arms as my stomach churns and the fire in my eyes starts to burn. Heat 1 has now finished and is in the water one fly over and my race will have started.
I hear the official blow his whistle and my mom yelling my name through the crowd full of jabber. My mind goes blank with only one thought. My time has now come so wish me good luck. I am told to take my mark the race is about to start. I close my eyes and grab onto the block all the sounds around me seem to fade out. The BEEP went off like a shot from a gun. This is not normal swimming no games and no fun. My momentum carried me as I open my eyes. I entered the water no flinch or surprise. This race was routine but felt different today. Eyes open wide and the rush of energy made this race so easy. I flew through the water like a bull out to slaughter.
I flipped off the wall knowing this race wouldn't fall. My target ahead of me as I push way too hard. My body feels like death as my lungs scream for air. But I know that I soon will be there. I pick up my kick as I enter the flags I reach and I reach for the safety of the wall. The boom of the crowed and the must of the air tell me this race was quite fair. I look at the letters painted in blood to find my name second from one. I was beat from the left but my time was still a glare. As long as I had improved I did not care. Now for some noodles and a banana or too my next race was in an event or too!
Roger Harris