6) Writing prompt option from Chapter 16

The water was still I could hear the murmur of others in the distance. I was calm and to my surprise I didn't have a worry in the world. I was alone or so that was how I felt. My oar lay flat in line on the water wading there waiting. It was only a matter of time but still I was prepared. I looked around at the vast lake that streamed for miles on end, there was a simple dock right in front of me. The dock represents so much more than you can see, it's hope or the thing that makes you give up hope.

Then without nothing more of a warning than a scream I slid right up to the catch and dropped my blade in the water thinking half stroke, three quarters, length in, length in, full.  It was as if  we were all of one body, as we were all in sync, all together pulling back with such grace but determination. There were things oblivious to the ear at that moment. We couldn't hear the motivational screams coming from the front. We couldn't hear the heavy breathing around, we couldn't hear the blade crashing into the water, and we couldn't hear the crack at the end of each painful second.

First 500 down and you feel it, the pain, it slowly but surly gets to you. You don't notice it at first. You're two minute high is over. You now face reality. The pain starts in your legs, your ankles crack and your knees ache. Slowly the pain starts moving towards your hips and the back and forth rotation kills. Then in your back you start to feel a sharp pain until it reaches your arms and then you can barely feel your hands. This is when you know that you have to win.

First 1000 down you are starting to lack motivation. You're in pain, you are having trouble breathing, and your brain is telling you to stop. Stop. You don't stop. You continue. You continue because you know that there are eight others counting on you to pull through. That person in front of you is in as much pain as you are and you too are the reason that they are not giving up. Everyone around has all different kinds of reasons why they continue but non of that matters more than why you keep going. I think about the weeks, month, and even years that lead up to this moment, who is watching on shore, and how this moment will define what happens in as little as 4 short minutes.

Before you know it you are at that last 500. This is where you make it count. push harder than you have ever pushed before. If you feel like you can't breathe then you know you're giving it all you can. Make every stroke count, last 68 strokes, takes some power tens. Block out the screams from the shore. Nothing matters more than these last two minutes. Push through. At the last 250 bring it up. Go as fast and as hard as you can feel the speed of the boat increase as you sneak up on that finish line. Last few strokes and then you past that buoy.