It was Tuesday May 1st, 2007 and I had just made a tough decision to not use my racing shoes in the North Peel Cross Country Meet. Our team, junior boys, were at the start line about a minute before the start and I was having a discussion with my coach and mom if I should use the shoes. It was a tough decision because in the last week I had obtained tedonitis in my achillies tendon for the third or fourth time in three years. I finally chose not to use the shoes because of the slippery conditions, not my feet.
Moments before the other junior boys and I had seen the junior girls finish in the top twenty places. Then it was of to the start line where we took off our warm clothes and were set to race. off the start I found myself trading elbows with another competiter who quickly dropped back after the first rise. Then it was me and a group of about eight guys which quickly turned into four groups of two. I ended up behind the leader by about two meters. I could tell he was dieing after I saw his face and his slowing speed. I past him before the end of the first lap to take the lead. The second lap was spent trying to hold off two other guys about 50m back. but I kept pushing myself and reminding myself that I could do it and I crossed the finish line in 1st. After the race I spent the time just drinking and icing and drinking and icing and drinking and I think you get the picture. Then it was off to Wendys to celebrate and then back to school where the team and I spent the rest of the day in the library.
