It’s the final race of the day,
First runner steps to the starting line, baton in hand.
Waits for the gun fire then takes off around the track.
First runner hands the baton to the second runner.
I step to the handoff position, hands shaking, heart pounding.
As the second runner rounds the last corner I take slow deep breaths.
The second runner hands the baton to me.
As I start running, I feel very confident.
Tired and out of breath, I sprint as hard as I can down the last straight,
I hear my coaches and my teammates say, “Finish strong, finish strong.”
As I hand the baton to the last runner, I think to myself,
I did it, I finished strong.