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When we talk about running, then we are literally talking about fitness, good health, a sound lifestyle, and a fun-filled activity. My experiences with running are countless and memorable because I have been a sport lover from childhood.
While growing up, I represented my school in various running competitions and I won many awards and medals to my name. One of the most remarkable competition I participated in was the governor's inter-school running competition held in Cross River State, Nigeria, back in 2016.
My school was one of the biggest and most popular school in the state, so we were asked to bring representatives to come and compete with other students in the various categories of races. Students from our school were selected for various categories like the 100 metres senior boys and girls race where your speed determines your chances of winning, the sack race where we would put our legs in a potato sack bag and jump to the finish line, lol.
Some students were also selected in the category of egg race competition, where a boiled egg would be put on a spoon and we would have to hold the egg with a spoon and run to the finish line without letting the egg to fall off. This was really a fun-filled type of race and I broke many eggs while trying to practice for this race, lol.
Fortunately for me, of all the runners in the school, I was specially selected to be among the 4 senior boys that would represent our school in the Relay race. In this race, 4 of the fastest students would have to run a 100 or 400 metres each depending on the size for the stadium.
Before the competition day, I trained like never before. Every morning as early as 5AM, I would call my friends and we would go out for jogging execercises. Sometimes I would sleep and dream of the upcoming running competition and when I wake up I would start exercising in my room because I don't want a situation where I would go and fail my school.
My friends were my biggest fans and motivation at that time because they never failed to wake up early and join me in training. Remember the saying: "If you want to go fast go alone, but if you want to go far go with friends." This was why I was always going with my friends because I wanted to build endurance in the midst of pressure.
By 5AM it's usually still dark over here, but we would run round the city, and by the time we are done running, it would have already been fully bright outside and people would be coming out for their daily activities.
On the day of the competition, I was very nervous because some of the guys that came for the competition were bigger and stronger than my partners and I. I had to motivate myself that I can do this if I try. The sack race, egg race, and the 100 metre races had already taken place and by this time, my school was at second place in the competition.
It was clear that if my partners and I win this relay race, we would finish this competition as first place winners. It was a race of 1600 metres, where each runner would run a 400 meters race before passing the baton to the next person. Our coach told me that I would be the last person to receive the baton and finish the race, which I nervously agreed.
The whistle was blown and the race began, as I prayed and hope my teammates gets to me first. From afar, I could observe that my partners were at second place during the race and this means the responsibility was laid on me to do something extraordinary.
Just while I was still waiting, I felt like the spirit of Usain Bolt entered me, lol. The baton finally got to me and as I turned, one of my opponent was already in front of me. I ran like a mad man with all the speed in me, and just few seconds before the finish line, I passed the guy that was in front of me to win the competition for my school.
It was a thing of pride for me, as I was considered school hero at that time, lol. It's been a couple of years now, but the feeling is still priceless, as I would find myself smiling whenever I think of my experiences with racing.
My entry for day 5 of the InLeo monthly prompt, organized by the InLeo team. You can check out the link here for participation.
All images as used in this article are mine.
I appreciate your time around here❤️:-)