Triumph

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// Whew nerves…okay calm down, just relax. It’ll be okay just relax. Don’t go out too fast. Who cares what everyone else is doing don’t go out too fast it’s not a race okay well yeah technically it’s a race but it’s a race against yourself actually think of it more as a test okay you got this. When is he gonna say go damn it I just wanna run. I’m nervous too nervous no it’ll be okay just relax. //


 * “RUNNERS…ON YOUR MARK!” **

// Crap crap crap crap crap… //


 * “GET SET!” **

// Nervous nervous nervous nervous….. //


 * “GO!” **

// And we’re off okay not bad so far not so fast slow down a little okay I think I’m doing well. Slow, stay slow. Wow there are a lot of people ahead of me okay this is fine…no this is good, seriously doing good, doing good. Focus on the people on the side of the road, not that lady with the stupid effing baby stroller who just booked it past you. She’s probably been doing this longer. And she had the baby for added weight, like those training ankle-braces, so now she’s lighter and faster. That makes sense, right? Whatever, focus. What song is playing on my iPod? Is this seriously Braid Paisley right now? I should have made a playlist, damn it. Okay, whatever, it’s fine, we’ll deal, no big. Okay keep running, slow and steady. This is actually kind of nice. I feel good, yeah, it’s going well. I mean I’m in dead last probably but it’s whatevs. I wonder how old those kids are? Wow, Old Center Street, I haven’t been down here since I was like ten…this is so weird but kind of cool. Trip down memory lane. Nice. //

* * *

// Ha there’s that girl that ran past me a while back. Walking, I see. Suck it up! I’m not walking and I used to be fat! That’s mean, okay, I apologize. But seriously, I better not stop running. I hope I didn’t go out too fast. Why is this road so long, did it used to be this long? This sucks. Whatever, don’t stop. Ouch my chest hurts. Ow…owowowow. Keep strong. Alright up around this bend then back down East Penn Drive. That graffiti on the road I just passed said 2 miles. Damn I hope that means two miles in and not two miles to go. That would suck big time. Just stay calm…don’t be afraid to slow down. Just don’t stop. DO NOT WALK. Eric I swear if you start walking I will be so pissed. Even if you slow to the pace of a walk at least keep moving your arms so it looks like your running. Don’t be lazy. Come on, mind over matter. Mind over matter. I don’t know why I bothered with this damn iPod I’m not even listening to it. //

* * *

// That’s right, Adam’s Ricci. Aw people cheering for me! Yeah, go me! That’s right, I worked my ass off for this! Woo! So close! Hm…my stomach feels weird. Whatever, so close. Just around Field A, then up the hill, then I’m done. I got this. Seriously, so close. More people cheering! Yeah, go me! Ouch my stomach. My chest. My legs. In hindsight being lazy might not have been so bad. I mean I could be sleeping right now that’d be nice. //


 * HONK HONK! **

// Oh snap hey mom and dad! Nice. Why are you watching from the post office? I mean seriously it’s right across the road, park the car and walk. Whatever. Wow my stomach feels weird. All that’s left is this damn hill, come on, finish strong. Up the hill. I hear my friends cheering, there they are! Nice! Hey- woah. That’s weird. Not a good feeling…it’s almost like…like I’m gonna puke…oh man… //


 * “C’MON ERIC YEAH!” **
 * “C’MON DECKER!” **
 * “YEAH ERIC! YOU GOT THIS ALMOST THERE!” **
 * “RIGHT THERE ERIC!” **

// Uh oh, I don’t think this is gonna be good… //


 * HURL! **


 * “Oooooh……..” **

// That’s disgusting…I don’t even care. I hope it didn’t get on me. No I think I’m good. I hope it doesn’t happen again. Whew done. Oh my gosh I need that trashcan I think it’s gonna happen again. No okay. I’m good. I’m good. Ow my stomach. Suck it Jared from Subway. Suck it. //