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on me, bent to end my reign as the runner at the front of the pack. “After all,” I thought to myself, “I couldn’t actually win this thing, could I? That would be crazy! Just enjoy your brief time atop the leader board.”

I did use my ears, however, and waited for the volunteers’ calls to resume at the Mile 1 aid station. There were only a few seconds of silence before the familiar cries of “WATER!” started anew.

The second-place runner was close. I decided to stick to my plan and recover a little on the flat portion. I knew I’d gone out a little fast, thrust forward by my enthusiasm and the sheer adrenaline rush of leading a race for the first time. If I was to survive the uphill as the leader, I had to have something left in the tank.

After a short time, I could finally hear the footsteps of my pursuer as he or she closed in. I mentally counted the other runner’s cadence Thump-thump-thump. The rhythm was slightly faster than mine, but not too much so. And he or she was striking the pavement hard. It was clearly a challenge to take the lead.

I waited. “Stick to the plan,” I told myself. “Recover, then hit the uphill at full strength.” Meanwhile the mysterious steps behind me were getting louder.

Finally, the much-anticipated uphill came into view and I shifted gears. The footsteps behind me faltered slightly and, for a time, actually started to fade. It was a sign that I had successfully met my first challenge. I was still the leader!

I also was keenly aware that this race was young. Anything could still happen. I tried to block out all the

Thanks to Sprouts for supporting the 2019 Road Race Series and the 2020 Winter Off-Road Series.

potential disasters that my mind concocted and just incline. My heart pounded in my chest. I gulped at air focused on my pre-race plan. as my lungs desperately struggled to supply oxygen to

Something inside me changed after that first failed my over-strained body. I faced the pain of my exertion challenge. I suddenly believed the impossible could and embraced it. happen. I started to think of ways that I could win. Then the footsteps that had been gaining in

The halfway point brought us back to the start line intensity, finally started to quiet. I was pulling away. (the course was a double loop) and a few spectators I was winning! politely clapped and cheered. The footsteps were more My blurry mind had forgotten the course. With every distant now, but were still definitely there with their turn I hoped to see the finish line, but was repeatedly constant thumping. disappointed. This was the longest half mile of my life.

The challenger was matching my pace. Whenever I could no longer hear any footsteps, but I was I sped up, my challenger would do the same, and when unsure if that was because my own exertions were I slowed down they did as well, were biding their time masking them. I dared not look back, but my mind for a second challenge, which was just fine with me. It was filled with images of being passed mere feet put me in charge of everything except the timing of that from the finish line. When the finish banner finally next surge. I could stick to my plan, at least until they came into view, my legs exploded with a burst of made their move, and I hoped I speed I didn’t know I was capable would hear it coming whenever that happened. It wasn’t ... of. Every step was agony, but I couldn’t lose this race now. I had Thus I lengthen my stride once again on the second downhill, but didn’t push as the finish to give all of myself to the pursuit of victory. Nothing could be left at the end. much as the first time. I might have gained a little distance I had Then it happened. I heard a beep as my chip registered its time. there, but the footsteps were still just audible. On the flat section, like imagined. Then silence. No other beeps. I was alone at the finish. I looked around and saw a few folks clapping and the first time around, I again someone yelled out, “Led it from recovered somewhat and my mystery pursuer closed the wire to wire!” I glanced back and there were no other gap a little, but didn’t really make a move. I could hear runners in sight. It was only then I let myself believe. I the now-familiar foot strikes back there. My pursuer won! I actually won! was waiting. I staggered to the end of the chute and felt the world

Then the last uphill appeared, and there was start to go black. A wave of nausea overtook me. I lay definitely a change in cadence from behind. It was sprawled out over the dew-laden grass, fighting nausea the move I’d been waiting for. It was time to make a and struggling to stay conscious. It wasn’t exactly the decision. finish I had imagined.

There was less than half a mile to go, and I was A spectator situated just past the finish chute tired. I had run a tactical race up to that point, but there noticed my distress and the effort I put forth over the was no doubt that I was pushing my endurance to its last part of the course. He approached as I was still limits. That had been the plan all along. sprawled on the ground hyperventilating. He asked if I

There was just one problem. I hadn’t counted on felt it was all worth it. I surprised myself when I shook being the leader. Usually, if I over-extend at the end of a my head “No.” I was consumed by a world of pain and race, I just slow down and recover. If I lose a few spots exhaustion. At that moment, my best run ever meant in the standings, well … no big deal. Who cares? next to nothing.

This race was different. I had a once-in-a-lifetime Victory should be savored. It becomes sweeter opportunity to fulfill a dream. I had to decide. Was I with the full passage of time. At the moment victory really going to run for the laurels? actually happens, the suffering related to the effort

From somewhere deep inside I felt a fire flicker into is too fresh to leave any room for joy. Eventually, existence and then it burned steady. I wanted to win. the nausea faded and the darkness retreated. I pulled I wanted to be a champion, and I was only a half mile myself up and looked around the finish line for the away from making that a reality. first time with a completely new set of eyes … those

My legs started to turn over faster despite the of a champion! ❑ 15