Chapter 23: The Bell Lap

The state cross country meet wasn't just a race; it was the culmination of years of training and a final chance to leave it all on the line. The pre-dawn breakfast and the long drive buzzed with nervous energy. The race was a blur of effort, the roar of the crowd a physical presence, as I pushed through the pain, driven by the desire to make my last high school race count. The day was a mix of personal accomplishment and team pride, a fitting close to my high school cross country career.