[ OT ] Writing Workshop # 50 : Conflict - Man vs. Man

My lungs felt cold and my thighs were growing numb. I wanted to stop, but somehow my body kept on moving beneath me. *Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth*, I told myself. I had gotten cramped up before and knew that if I gave into the urge to take a gulp of air through my mouth, I might not be able to keep going. 
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 The footsteps behind me became louder—they were catching up with me. The sun gleamed on my forehead, and although it was a cool day, my face was flushed and hot. Sweat dripped down my temples; I fantasized about pouring water on my face. 
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 The buzz of the crowd became louder. *Just a little bit further*, I demanded. A pair of feet was right behind me now, the hair on my neck stood up. I could feel the warmth on her body against my back. I saw her grabbing my shoulders, holding me back, taking me down. I shuddered for a split second, and she was now next to me. 
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 We were running side by side now, and the finish line was about one hundred yards away. I was in a daze, so exhausted that I had no will left to make my body go on. Nevertheless, it instinctively continued, matching her pace. I would not allow her to take this from me, not when I was so close. 
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 The others trailed behind us. I just wanted to stop, call out “ Why don ’ t we just take a break? ” but that ’ s not how it works. I thought I heard chanting now, I could barely make my name. I would have rather not had an audience, the pressure of not wanting to let them down only added to my frustration to being stuck in a tie. 
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 Twenty-five meters, fifteen, ten. We kept a steady pace, matching each other. The finish line was just a few steps away… 
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 I was finally able to slow down. My coach ran up to me, and patted me on my back. “ Good job. ” I had to keep walking to avoid cramping up, or fainting. I lifted my arms and tried to steady my breath. My coach put a hand on my shoulder and led me to the judges ’ table. A medal was placed in my hand: *First Place, Women ’ s Cross Country Championship*. Relief swept through my body, I took a deep breath and felt my tension melt away. 
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 *I ’ m going to be so sore tomorrow. * 

