the impact of the cold water that spreads heartless to your body  

that moment of gasping for air to breath that follows the inevitable

leaving you temporarily paralyzed of all thoughts and emotions 

the adrenaline rush of exhilaration that strikes a chord to your spine    

just when you think that you can swim furhter and you find yourself drowing  

deep within the will of life explodes forth like a bull with raging horns from a pen

and the strength that lies from within  

and when next you realize the water is only knee high and swimming would be unnecessary

this is only a temporary relief

because now you are running, sweating bullets , not one from the barrow of a gun 

and the next moment riding legs pumping like an intense workout

climibing upward towards that mountain knowing there is always a possibility of falling

like a lone climber striving to conquer rushmore and one day be a bigger that the presidents      

you persevere against overwhelming odds and continue to climb

until finally the end is in sight

or is it? there is, once you get there, how do you stay on top?  

from the bike you descend and what once seemed like a short distance now seems miles

and with legs still straining going that extra mile 

the wind that just a few short moments ago was striving to unseat you now shifts to a different direction

and like some boat sails swirved by the kindly winds faster and harder you plunge

now the finish line in sight you dig deep way inside 

and first break into a shambling run like a wild animal

and then into an all out sprint going for the gusto

the unbelievable rush of adrenaline reaching its highest peak

and still in the calm of your mind over the roar of the crowd you thought

this is only the beginning of something both amazing and beautiful

regardless of what lies ahead

always have faith and believe in yourself

god will take care of the rest