The Loneliest Mile by Gabel Susanne

Author:Gabel, Susanne
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Susanne Gabel Pierson
Published: 2021-03-28T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

First Meet

Pure bliss. Those two words best described Beth’s state of mind. Neither Beth nor Anne got any sleep because of their special “no pajamas” party. They knew they’d be paying the price for it, but agreed it was worth every penny. Fortunately, neither of them had tests or major assignments due, but they did have their first track meet.

“Are you nervous?” Anne asked Beth as they walked down to the track.

“I don’t know...maybe a little bit. I know I’ve worked my ass off for weeks, so I think I’m physically ready, I just don’t know if I’m mentally ready. I’m glad it’s not a real meet. That helps calm my nerves.”

“It is a real meet. It just isn’t sanctioned. Our regular season may not start until November but take these meets seriously. Pretend each one is for division champs. That way when we get there, it will be old hat. Beth...you can do it, just give it everything you have.”

“Anne...you do know we’ll be competing on absolutely no sleep? You tired me out last night. I’ll definitely be running on empty today,” she said hardly able to contain her grin.

Anne lowered her voice, “I wish my roommates were gone, so I could tire you out again tonight.”

The weather was perfect. Both track teams were spread out, stretching, running, jumping hurdles, throwing discus, and preparing for an array of other field events.

“I don’t feel so good,” Beth said as they ran slowly around the track to warm up.

“Oh no,” Anne said laughing, “You’re not serious, are you?” Beth laughed too but didn’t answer the question. Anne looked over and saw that Beth was white as a ghost. She grabbed her arm and led her off the track. “Let’s visit the bathrooms.”

They made it just in time. Beth spent the next fifteen minutes with either her head over the toilet, or sitting on the floor next to it, listening to Anne rebuild her confidence.

“I think I’m ready now... but don’t tell anybody about this. Especially Carol.”

Beth and Anne spent time watching some of the sprinters before they had to get ready for their own event. Occasionally at practice, the coach would have them train as sprinters to work on speed, but the mile was their specialty. When it was time for the mile run to begin, Beth still felt a little uneasy. But, when the gun went off, she forgot all about it.

Beth, Anne, and Carol pulled out in front immediately. Their pace was much faster than the other girls. All three ran side by side, but Anne and Beth would alternate the inside lane as they rounded the curves, so neither had a disadvantage. They started doing this technique at practice. At the half mile mark, all three had maintained their pace, and they had gained a significant lead on the other runners. As they rounded the curve for the final quarter mile, Beth moved into the inside lane. Unfortunately, she made her cut too close, and caught Anne’s leg on Anne’s back kick.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.