Off the Back
1
I see you questioning yourself. You grow frustrated and tired and frustrated again. You haven’t even saddled up yet and you’re already thinking of dropping out. I watch you get into your placement. One eighty-six is printed in bold black lettering on the white tag pinned to your maroon and navy Mettle jersey. You have an intense focus, eyes ahead, helmet tightened, your left foot clipped into the pedal. I see you shift your body. You look defeated before you’ve even begun. You resolve to quit the race. Why do you look around and compare yourself? I think, at least you showed up.