Last.

Head up.
Eyes on the prize.
Just breathe, keep it together
Keep it all close in.
Breathe now, tighten up a little.
Suck it in, burning in all the right places.
Focus sharp and narrow.
No room for doubt, no space for what if
No wavering.
There is no fence, only the dull roar behind the heat.
Turn it up a little.
More.
Faster.
A reaching whine, a yearning ache
Pit.
Higher.
Almost, even, drag, falter.
Close, slow, fail, wide.
Fail.
Finishing's just not as sweet, anymore.