The Bronze Jump

Thump, thump, thump! My heart was beating so fast and furiously I thought it might fly out of my mouth.

I lunged down low reminding myself of the steps, sprint, launch, scissor kick, both feet land.

I started the curvy run to the bar, I leapt from foot to foot till the bar was so close I could see the sun

painting glistening patterns on the deep sea blue.

With the top three on the line I kicked my legs up as high as they would go and landed on the other side

of the bar as gracefully as an elephant. “Well at least I made the jump.” I told myself.

So far there were five left and I planned on making the top three if that meant bruising my eyes

with my legs.

While I stood staring at the bar, I realised it was over half the size of me, probably three quarters!

My heart was no longer beating as it had long ago fled as I knew I should.

But the thought of making this jump forced my legs down into lunge and I forced my legs and arms

to work together to propel me towards the bar…

I knew that by doing the jump I was basically asking for failure, but I was proud to have made it so far.

Even if I may not have made the top three. At least I got one of my leg over unlike others that took

one look at the bar and ran straight past it.

As the high jump came to an end, I listened as we were told the overall scores.

I crossed my fingers, and waited, and waited, seconds felt like hours as I heard the words ‘Third place’

followed by my name! I was overjoyed! I had never come in the top three for high jump and the first time

I have, it’s against year sevens and eights!

That day I gained more self confidence and feeling of self accomplishment, and I can tell you now

that it feels as good as good can get. One cannot feel fully whole without self confidence and the feeling

of self accomplishment. That is a life lesson worth learning.