The all-state runners are already halfway to the nearest GNC store for health food. It doesn't matter to the rest of the runners. They have a time they want to beat. Runners crash on top of each other as they help each other walk through the cool down stage. Some runners can't even walk.
Exhaustion is common, but the reward is great.
Parents hug their sons and daughters. Coaches give them slaps on the back and the race is over - for this year. These same group of runners will begin training for next year before they let their lunch hit the bottom of their bellies. It is a passion and I am now a passionate spectator. There is not enough space here to describe the emotions that ran through my body on Saturday.