3,000 long, stamina-draining meters. A long, perilous slope stretching from the third corner. A difficult track that cannot be conquered with effort alone.
A stream of sweat drips from her brow, threatening to blur her vision. Her heart beats frantically, like it's screaming for more oxygen to pump through her veins. Each rough breath scratches at her throat like flickers of flame.
She asks herself why. Why does she keep running, when it hurts so much? Why does she continue to drag her heavy legs step after arduous step?
Her mind doesn't have time to process an answer. But her ears flick unconsciously towards a rumble from the stands. A roar of cheers—of fans' hopes and dreams. She then clenches her teeth, biting down into the pain, and spitting it out.
A sense wells in her gut—her fated rival is behind her. The large shadow she casts over the turf is getting closer. Closer. Closer.
But she knows she can't look back. She won't give up. The only way to reach the peak is to keep running.
...And that day, the runner who refused to surrender took the crown of the best.
A stream of sweat drips from her brow, threatening to blur her vision. Her heart beats frantically, like it's screaming for more oxygen to pump through her veins. Each rough breath scratches at her throat like flickers of flame.
She asks herself why. Why does she keep running, when it hurts so much? Why does she continue to drag her heavy legs step after arduous step?
Her mind doesn't have time to process an answer. But her ears flick unconsciously towards a rumble from the stands. A roar of cheers—of fans' hopes and dreams. She then clenches her teeth, biting down into the pain, and spitting it out.
A sense wells in her gut—her fated rival is behind her. The large shadow she casts over the turf is getting closer. Closer. Closer.
But she knows she can't look back. She won't give up. The only way to reach the peak is to keep running.
...And that day, the runner who refused to surrender took the crown of the best.