Dedicated to long distance runners who lay everything on the track

By Douglas J. Lanzo
Copyright 2019

First published in Literary Yard on July 15, 2020

Muscles tense and flex with every stride,
Easing into rhythm, your legs begin to glide,
Breathing calibrated to the pace,
Attentively controlled and measured through the race;

Settling comfortably into the running pack,
Within striking distance, primed and ready to attack,
Keeping to your targets each and every lap,
While quickening your strides to eliminate the gap;

Created as the leader intensifies his gait,
Shortening his cadence, thrusting forward with his weight,
Reacting in an instant, you deftly draft off his side,
Pressing without mercy, three feet back and two feet wide;

Thundering past lap counter, bell ringing in your ear,
Arms pumping and legs kicking, you fly past without fear,
Seizing from him the lead, spikes digging hard and deep,
Racing down the straightaway, you agonize to keep;

Top sprinting form into the final turn,
As starved of oxygen, your legs and lungs do burn,
Roaring exhortations, the crowd rises to their feet,
Anxious to crown their favorite the victor of the meet, Your rival pulls alongside, challenging your lead,
Now comes the fateful moment, to back up hope with deed,
You summon untapped strength from pure will within,
Consuming last reserves to propel you to the win.