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"Runners set!" the starting gun then went off with a loud pop.

As if off instinct, the other runners started off with a sprint, leaving me in second to last place. There were twenty other runners in the 3200 meter race and all of us were in the slowest heat: the first heat. According to the heat sheet, I am seated to come in first with a two mile time of 11:51, while the second and third seated runners were seated with times of an 11:53 and 11:58 respectively. Those runners were in the rear with me, possibly running with the same strategy I'm using.

I started off with a comfortable pace, my breathing pattern in sync with my feet hitting the ground. I felt relaxed, although the majority of the anthros in the lead pack were struggling with their hastened pace. They're going to burn out before the third lap for sure. About two laps later, the fast pack started to break up and I picked off the runners one by one as they slowed down.

The 3200 meter race is more about pacing and endurance than pure speed, even though other anthros tended to disagree with this common principle. From experience, tips, and learning from my own mistakes, I've trained to not start off with a sprint or else I would lose speed and tire myself out. Instead, I start off with my mid-game pace, which wasn't as fast as sprinting, but not as slow as jogging. For me, that pace was about 1:30 per 400 meters, or one lap, which translated to a solid 5:20 mile, or 1600 meters. By using this pace, I could use more of my energy during the race and still finish the race with a strong kick.

After my fourth lap, I was trailing behind the third runner, who looked like he was about to double over and die by the way he was heaving. My 1600 meter time was about a solid 5:30, slightly off my goal pace of a 5:20 mile. I must've slowed down somewhere, but where? Then, one of the runners behind me decided to speed up, overtaking both me and the fox in front of me, taking second place behind the front runner, who also looked worn out. The runner that was now in second was Matthew Holland, a male husky, and he is one of the anthros projected to finish in the top three.

W_hat?_ How dare he! I picked up my pace, passing the fox in front of me and being on the heels of the anthro in second. All around the track, even on the infield, fans and the non-participant runners of the race were cheering, including some from my own high school. I blocked it all out as I raced, putting my full concentration into the race. It wouldn't be very smart of me to break my concentration and waste energy looking around, now would it?

My lungs and my thighs were burning as I kept up with the now increased pace of the run. At least I wasn't struggling like the guy behind me, who I think was part of the top three projected finalists. Matthew was now leading the pack in first, with me on his heels in second and the male behind me, James Devin, lagged behind at about seven to ten seconds behind me.

The weather for today played in my favor. It was a cool fourty-five degree morning with mist in the air, the sky being cloudy. Usually, if it was sunny, I would probably feel like shooting myself in the foot; however, I didn't. I felt just as good as if I was still fresh and I didn't feel like I was straining myself too hard.

Before I knew it, I passed by the finish line and the starting gun went off. Wait, last lap already? I thought we were on five! The runner in front started to speed up as we rounded the first curve, getting a solid three second lead on me.

"Cailean! You need to go now!" I heard my coach yell out in the chaotic cheering, "PR or ER!"

I wanted to yell a response back, but I decided not to for the sake of saving my breath. I picked up my pace instead, being on the heels of the male again. I'm not letting this guy beat me! This pace felt extremely close to sprinting. As we approached the last curve, Matthew decided to lengthen his stride to gain some distance from me. Oh no, you don't! I started sprinting at the two hundred meter point, slowly passing the male. It felt like an eternity as I rounded the curve, now heading down the straightaway at full speed.

That was it! I'm finished! I crossed the finish line, seeing that I made it with a new personal best of 11:30 for the 3200 meter run. My stomach and legs didn't feel as happy as I did with my accomplishment as I doubled over, throwing up a little of this morning's breakfast of a banana and eggs.