Something hammers in my chest,
Drumming, throbbing beating there,
Breathing much too fast and hard,
Face all dripping, seems to melt.
Sweat-stung eyes can't focus now,
Brain insists you must keep on,
Forgetting pain the legs obey
Arms shove forward fighting still,
Waves of sound bombard my ears
Blurring into sight at last,
Ribbon, ribbon- must keep on,
Other legs are pounding close,
Other lungs are panting near,
Too late-it's me- I'm first
The winner! time to rest.