I had to run 2.4km (1.49 miles) as part of a physical fitness test. This will be the second time I’ve been running and I’m sick today. At the stadium, the atmosphere was tense, everyone was getting ready for their run. Being early, I decided to sign up for the first run.

After do some warm-up, I stood on the field, wait to run, I had butterflies in my stomach. Finally the moment came. The whistle blew.

I was running with all my energy in the first lap. Then there was the second. Then the third. With each passing lap, I could feel my energy level going down. At the last lap, I was literally walking. The instructor told me not to walk and endure for the next minute or so.

Now, I was at the final stretch of the track. The crowd of schoolmates was cheering everyone on. I sprinted past the finish line. I was second. As I turn to my instructor for the results, I could see some mixed feelings in his eyes.

The time has come to find out if all my effort was worth it. So, I asked the question: ‘Did I pass?’

‘No.’

I nearly died. All my effort went down the drain. And the best part, I get to repeat this again next week.