Freezing+Mile

 English 8 William Dougall  Period 2 11-29-11

 My face re-surfaced, the icy cold water stung my face. I saw racers just ahead throwing water into the air...... next year I would strike back.

Amethyst Harbour was a small harbour and community outside of Thunder Bay, Ontario. This was a beautiful place but was hard to find because it was surrounded by thousands, maybe millions, of pine trees. Some beautiful things are hard to get to.

 It was my least favorite time of the year again, June 28th the day of the Mile Swim. I remember my first time trying the swim when I was nine. It didn’t go so well; in other words I panicked and didn’t finish the race. The next two years I finished but not in first place, more like ninth. After three years of losing, sadness and disappointment brought its way into my family’s minds. My fourth year I was determined. I worked all year round: in pools and laps around fields I tried and tried hoping to become in the best shape ever and win for once.

 There I was sitting on an island in the middle of the harbour with a bunch of kids my age. The wind was strong and we had to swim into the waves. There were very dark clouds in the distance promising rain. Not one person was confident. Maybe the weather had something to do with the bad attitudes. Nevertheless everyone came prepared for the worst: from whale lard to wet suits we had it all. I had both. I found whale lard completely disgusting. I cringed and I put it on; however, I sucked it up knowing this would keep me warm and fast in the cold water. My best friend Stefan and I sat on the jagged rocks of the island waiting for the five minute mark.

 “Good luck. It’s due for you. D@mn, this is your fourth year, isn’t it...yikes have a good one. Let's do this.”

 “You too, see you at the finish line,” I replied, now starting to get nervous. I felt my stomach knot.

 My muscles tensed as I watched the man with the starting guns finger began to move. BANG!  The noise echoed through the harbour. As soon as the noise went off, I lunged off the rocks keeping my body as straight as an arrow. The cold water greeted me with a shock but the feeling went away and was replaced by an anger. My arms and legs rushed into action with and insane tempo leaving white water behind. I barely took any breaths but when I did they were large and strong. My hearts begged me to stop but my brain said to keep going. I listened to my brain for once. I kicked and kicked. Waves hit my face knocking my head back but I powered through. Pain rang through my body, my muscles ached. Half of the racers had dropped out and a handful were left. I had a new burst of energy: in my mind I pictured myself as a torpedo gliding through the water as if it was air. My hands were forward reaching for the dock. I could no longer see where I was going. Water was blocking my eyes. Finally I felt rusted and rough metal, pulling myself out. Everyone was cheering except my mom; she wasn’t proud because I didn’t beat the record time. That is my mom for you, never being satisfied with the best of your ability. I went the rest of that summer happy and accompanied by my immense trophy and some very envious friends.