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Oh. My. Gods. - Weebly

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I wish I could know what Jackie is focusing on. She’s like a<br />

machine. Same rhythm, same pace over every terrain. Every slope.<br />

Every turn.<br />

I’m starting to wonder if I’ll be able to catch her.<br />

One mile from the finish line I hit the wall.<br />

<strong>My</strong> legs feel like melted Jell-O. Every breath I manage to suck in<br />

sends sharp pain through my lungs and radiating out to the rest of<br />

my body. I can’t feel my feet anymore.<br />

But my eyes are glued to number thirty-seven.<br />

Thir-ty-sev-en.<br />

Jackie is only two paces in front of me now. The other girls from<br />

the lead pack faded half a mile ago, so we are alone in the lead. In<br />

the four miles I have been watching her, Jackie hasn’t shown a single<br />

sign of weakness. No slip or stumble. No surreptitious glance<br />

over her shoulder to see who’s close.<br />

Nothing.<br />

The only sign that she’s actually exerting herself is the sweat<br />

soaking her shorts and tank top. That keeps me going—at least<br />

she’s working hard.<br />

But I can feel myself weakening.<br />

Like I’m using the very last of my energy reserves and am not<br />

going to have anything left for a strong finish. In fact, I might not<br />

have anything left at all.<br />

Suddenly, Jackie moves ahead three paces.<br />

No, she doesn’t move ahead. I drop back.<br />

233

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