Run with the Wind

I finish the laces on my shoes,
I step into the crowd of unsaid boo's.
We all line up at the big white mark,
To find our ragged breathing sounding like a bark.

Then there was bang, and we shot out into the lane,
Pushing and shoving one another like it was a big, competitive game.
I stumbled and tripped, ran and slipped,
The road unending, unwinding, unkind if evenly tipped.

We all just ran, forever and always,
Until we spotted a sign, orange and breaking the daze.
I sped up, passing a group,
Who looked at me like a had the croup.

I kept going, the orange sign my heart,
until I saw the man at the start.
He was breathing heavily, hands on knees,
Yet his eyes were triumphant, better than the bees.

I almost stopped, almost gave up the race,
When I knew I couldn't hurt the grace.
So I kept running, so close to the line,
That I fell and landed, right on time.

Someone told me, I got 2nd by the nano,
and if I would have tripped a second later,
I would have been a sad, sweaty gator.

So I don't regret, there was man in a step,
Just ahead of me, right below that tree.
I untie the laces on my shoes,
I step into the crowd of that shouts nothing to lose.

I cool down, watching around me,
When I spot the man, shaking the hands of all who ran.
He sees me, steps up and shakes my hand,
I smile and congratulate, second is what I ran.