The Baton: A Short Story

As I started my kick on the last stretch of the 400 meter relay race, I could hear the crowd yelling and screaming “Come on! Push it!” My legs were on fire as I was taking long strides and pumping my arms as fast as I could. Ok Elizabeth, you can do it, push yourself, right here, you’re almost there! This is what I was telling myself in my head when I hit the 300 mark. Just then, I heard my mom yell as loud as she can, “SHE’S CATCHING YOU ELIZABETH! YOU HAVE TO GIVE IT ALL YOU’VE GOT! YOU CAN’T GIVE UP YOUR POSITION!”

It was May 22nd, 2013, the day of the Illinois State track meet. We were on the bus driving to the track, and I was looking out the bus window. There seemed to be no breeze, which was a good thing because that meant there

Our coach had changed our handoffs the day before we ran, and we had not been used to them. He also changed our 4x400 exchanges to blind exchanges. This means that we don’t look behind us when receiving the baton. These two facts were the ones that worried me the most. Everyone keeps telling me that I should have faith in myself, but I just keep worrying because I don’t want to get disqualified

As soon as I get in position, I hear Sharifa yell “Elizabeth!” which is my que to start running. She then yells, “Now!” and I reach back my left arm without looking and feel the smooth metal slide into my hand. I take off at 80%, and keep my pace at 80% until I hear my mom screaming at the top of her lungs, “SHE’S CATCHING YOU ELIZABETH! YOU HAVE TO GIVE IT ALL YOU’VE GOT! YOU CAN’T GIVE UP YOUR POSITION!” At that point, I am at the last stretch of the 400. 100 yards left, and my legs are on fire. I know that I have to start sprinting. Right when I turn the corner, I start pumping my arms and I lengthen my strides. On the sidelines, I hear the rest of my teammates yelling, “50 yards left!!! You’ve got this!!!” You can do it, Elizabeth. Your team is counting on you. Now that positive thoughts are in my head, I can feel myself accelerating even