A Is For Athlete

When I was in high school, we had mandatory gym Because it made us healthy, and because it kept us slim So every day we'd work out for about an hour Then we'd be told to take a lap and then go hit the shower I wasn't very good at sports, and really not too fast Whenever we would run the track, I'd usually come in last But in my class there were some guys quite skilled in sports it seems Some who ran cross country and some on the track team I remember on one given day while running round the track Although I wasn't leading, I wasn't too far back As we came round the last turn they weren't too far ahead So instead of keeping up my pace I picked up speed instead My breath was pretty ragged and both legs felt like lead But my will was strong to beat them, so I just surged ahead And just when I thought I would die I gave one final burst And miracle of miracles, I had come in first The coach said “you can leave now, you're done for the day” Then turning to the other guys said “I want you to stay” Then he crushed my euphoria, so help me, I'm not lying He told them to run it again, if I beat them they weren't trying