Pain Is Temporary, Pride Is Forever

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As I dragged myself off the bus, I saw Gladstone's football field. It brought back a hated memory of soccer season, losing against the Gladiators because of one mistake. Why would this time be any different? I lazily dragged myself off the bus and waited for the rest of the team to exit. Excitement and nervousness filled the air. Garrett Field hovered in orange letters above my head as I stumbled through the wrought iron gate and made my way toward the stands; the brick colored track slightly sinking beneath my running shoes like a child's play mat. A black and orange flag rope encircled the track and a white PVC pipe fence surrounded the long jump pit separating the two. Then something caught my eye, a sand pit. The pearly-white, golf bunker sand glittered, beckoning me toward it as I passed by. Curiously, I grabbed a handful only to watch it flow through my hands like water. Eventually, I reached the stands and sat down with three hours to spare; anxiety and nervousness overthrew my mind and took control. The familiar, calm beat of the music on my I-Pod was the only thing keeping me somewhat sane. The moment of truth had finally arrived; the Tri-Valley Track & Field Districts Meet was here, the day I had been awaiting and all season. The announcer's deep voice echoed throughout the stadium "First call: men's long jump", this was my cue. I hastily fastened the shoelaces on my bright red spikes and proceeded to the track. Taking a spot in lane one, I began my routine warm-up of two laps. I felt as if all eyes were on me but the familiar feel of the track relaxed me, I felt a surge of energy slither up my legs. After the second lap, I stopped at the pit and moved on to stretches. My muscles shrieked and cried with pain as I stretched. Soccer practice the day before hadn't been such a great idea. Studying the area, I observed my competition. Sixteen other jumpers

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