The Race

"Mom, I can't do this"
I plead with her
To talk to the coach

"You can't give up every time"
She convinces me to go
Oh God please help me

Last time I did this
I failed
Myself, Coach, and the Team

On the block
Awaiting the ref's call
"Take your mark"

My heart racing
An adrenaline rush
My mind goes into focus on what lies before me

The buzzer sounds
I dive in
"Don't give up like last time"
I tell myself

In the water
It cools my hot sweaty body
I am trying to focus on the race
Not how quickly my body is getting tired

I start to pass the point where I failed
I can hear the screams of my friends, my family members

I just keep going
I can't give up
I'll prove them all wrong

I am push myself as hard as I can
Feeling every muscle begging me to stop or slow down
I am not only pushing through the water, but pushing through the pain

The wall, I can see it
My race is coming to an end
Almost there

Last bit of strength I have
And, I touch the pool wall
I slowly get out

I turn around to see my placement
I got first
I am in complete shock

I forget how much pain my body is in
My teammates around me screaming
My family members and friends
Surround me after I towel off
I just proved not only others wrong, but myself

*This really did happen, it was 2 years ago, and I did give up my first time ever doing the 200m Individual Medley. I have such a passion for Swimming. I swim 7 months out of the year. I just had to write down this experience. Sorry it's not the good. I was having such a hard time to put this in to a poem. Please comment!! Help me make this better!