I am Ryan Ong here and this will be my final post for this term. Today, we had a cross country held in HCI. We were allowed to wear our PE shirt and pants to school. It was an annual event held in Hwa Chong Institution. However sadly, next year we may not be able be experience this day due to the construction of the MRT platform. Early morning, the whole school gathered at the starting point of the cross country run. As usual, we had to sing the national anthem and say the pledge. Actually, I do not know how to say the chinese pledge, know only the first two sentences. Then, there were a group of boys holding a lighted torch and they were running around the track, passing the flame to another group of boys and vice versa. There was a tiger mascot there too to bring was good luck. Soon the competitive run took place. 6 representatives would be representing each class. I was running in the mass run. The competitive runners would take off first, before us. There were also CHIJ babes joining us. 3......2........1........go!!!!! we bolted like arrows. After running the first 200m, I felt a horrendous pain near my ribcage. Ouch! I could not stand it. I told myself, 自强不息，and that I had to finish this run. When I was running pass the clock tower, I saw some CHIJ girls, they gave me the motivation. I felt that my body was so much lighter. I started to sprint, overtaking 1, 5, 10 pupils in one go. I was proud of myself. Gradually, the pain vanished. I jogged to the boarding school and later on sprint down the road. By then, I was dead beat. However, it was not over yet, There was still around 1km+ to go. Then, my nightmare came, I started to walk and lots of runners overtook me. Oh my Gosh!!!!!!!!! Rage filled up inside my body. Energy came pumping through my veins. I started to jog, speed increasing bit by bit. I overtook those who overtook me. Soon came the last stretch of the run, approximately 300m left. I ran and ran and ran, with all my might and determination. Nearing the finishing line, I heard cheers and students shouting. My energy was zipping away bit by bit. 气喘如牛 was how I felt. I crossed the finishing line, the people there deactivated my number, 72. I sat down, breathing heavily. My vision blurred out. Sweat flowing down my red and chubby cheeks. "AH!!!" I exclaimed. I stood up and headed to the water cooler. Walking towards the water cooler, my mind was telling this to me, well done Ryan. Me myself also thought that I ran well today, so no regrets.
Signing off,
Ryan Ong