The gun fires and

instinct takes over

as I attack out of the blocks,

a mighty grizzly hunting my prey,

powerful arms swinging 

back and forth,

pushing my legs as I drive

in a fluid motion,

spikes clawing at the track, barreling

for my prey

A grizzly can top 35 mph

and I’m running with that desire, 

lungs rising and falling, panting 

like a breathless bear,

momentum increasing as 

I catch sight of my prey, the finish line, the curve

releasing me, throwing 

me forward, bound by the two lines beside me,

hungering for the line ahead of me,

muscles screaming—each stride

harder than the last, runners 

beside me slow down 

as they pass the line,

but I don’t stop