A Push Toward Gold

The Vignette Gazette Edition #108: ICE, TREMBLING, RINGS

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Lauriol squats down, stretching her calf muscles before the race. She flexes her toes and reties her shoelaces. She walks toward the starting block and sets her feet at the line.

The stands fill with fans cheering, ready to see their favorite cross the finish line and win the gold medal.

Lauriol adjusts her eyes on the pavement. She takes several deep breaths and turns the rings around her fingers, hoping the nerves will dissipate. Her legs begin trembling as they always do before a big race. She is hoping this will be her Olympic gold medal race.

“Runners,” the announcer starts, “take your place.”

The runners line up.

“On your mark… get set… go!” The gunshot sounds.

The runners take off.

Lauriol is in lane seven. She gets a good start and pushes her way toward the front.

The runner in lane two is in the lead turning the bend.

Lauriol is on her heels, directly behind.

Lane two still has the lead.

Lauriol inches closer. Their feet are parallel to each other. “Just a few more steps. Push, L, push!” she coaches herself through the race. “Keep going. Don’t look over there. Eyes forward.”

The finish line is within her reach. Lane two is neck and neck with Lauriol.

“Ughhhhh!” Lauriol grunts and leans her head forward. She crosses the finish line a hair before lane two. “Ahhhh!” she screams.

The crowd goes wild. Her coach runs down the stands toward the railing. Lauriol runs over to her coach and pulls herself up.

“You did it, baby.” He hugs her tight. “Go get your medal. I’ll see you in the locker room.

Lauriol saunters into the locker room, gold medal draped around her neck. She steps toward the tub, climbing in the ice bath.

Thank you, Lynn L. Alexander, for this prompt. Check out the rules and write your own:

[embed]The Vignette Gazette Edition #108 Wednesday, February 25medium.com

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