The moment I walked into the building I was in another world. Preparing for what was to be the greatest experience of my life. Sure, I had family and friends to support me, but absolutely no one could have been feeling what I was - not today. I tried to focus and concentrate on what I was set out to achieve, or hope to achieve anyway. But with all the excitement and noise coming from different people from all over Australia, made it worse. Seeing my rivals yet best of friends wishing each other good luck, including myself, made me feet good - but not better. Trying to help, my coach told me the longest joke I'd heard. I must admit, it was funny.
Every single nerve-racking second slowly passed by as I stared into space waiting for my moment of glory to arrive. Maybe then would my nerves ease. I felt my valuable energy wasting away. My hands were cold and shaking but they were full of hot sweat. At times I could hear absolutely nothing except for my loud, continuous heartbeat, which in every passing minute, the speed increased.
Watching team-mates coming back full of excitement because they had fulfilled their dreams made me eager to chase mine. Pep talks and advice left my head spinning. There was too much information to take into a crowded yet somehow hollow mind. I knew most of it anyway. Besides, I definitely didn't want to have more things to be paranoid about. Not at this moment - not when I'm about to do something I would remember for the rest of my life.
Encouraging words increased as the time grew near. Mum, on my right saying, "Think positively. You'll be fine." On my left there was dad. "Give it all you've got." I turned around only to see my brother laughing in my face. "I'm glad it's you and not me!" I didn't care what anyone said. I was out to do my best. My coach's words were the best though. He said, "I'll be delighted if you make it all the way but I'm already happy that you made it this far at only fifteen years of age. This is the greatest achievement anyone I've taught has reached. I want you to be happy. Don't stress! Okay!"
One whole hour to go. I had no idea if I was going to survive sixty heart-twisting minutes. Surprisingly, I did. "All events from sixty-one through to sixty-four in the marshalling area." Time to go and hopefully succeed in what I'd been training for my whole life. The tension inside me grew immensely. So intense that I was ready to burst. I felt my heart bouncing out of my chest as I approached my designated block. Lane four - the fastest.
This was my race. My favourite, fastest and best stroke - breastroke. If I won this race, I would represent Australia in the Commonwealth Games. "In lane four, Alicia Deathe from NSW training at Smithfield with a time of 2:36:02 and the youngest in the field." The whistle indicated to step up onto the blocks. Although racing came naturally to me, this was different. I was numb with fear. I was overwhelmed with the fact that I had made it to the Commonwealth Games Trials.
"Take your marks," off goes the buzzer. That dive start was the quickest I'd ever done. My race plan had been set out for the 200 metre breastroke and completely memorised. As soon as I was above the water and racing, my plan went into action. The first 50 metres I started with long, strong kicks and powerful arm movements. My legs propelled me through the water extremely fast. The second and third 50 metre laps, my kicks became quicker and stronger. My arms stayed the same. In the final 50 metres I was aching all over. I had put in every ounce of effort in me into those three laps. They say the final lap is the hardest. They're dam well right. I sprinted that 50 metres but in the last 10 metres, my body took over my mind. I lost all control. I couldn't feet my legs kick.
Five metres to the wall. My head was pounding. Samantha Riley was in the lane beside me. I could see her catching up fairly quick. I began getting dizzy spells but I came to a sudden halt. I finished the race of my life. Turning around to see the score board I congratulated Sam on her fine effort. On the board there was my name and my time in which I had taken six seconds off. Looking at the placing and scanning down the list to see where I had finished, I was astounded. I glanced over to the crowd to see my family, friends and coach jumping up and down screaming, "You're number one!"
I had actually won the race. Time stood still as I let this outstanding moment sink in. I felt indescribably triumphant and glorious. I was unstoppable. I was going to represent Australia proudly in Kuala Lumpur. Everything in my eyes went into slow motion as I gradually got out of the pool. News reporters and their cameramen smothered me. I answered their questions as best as I could, trying to catch the many breaths that escaped me.
Sam tapped me on the shoulders. I turned around as she said, "Congratulations. That was a great race. Personally, I'm glad you finished second and no one else. I'd rather have you on the team with me than anyone else." My heart sunk deep down into my stomach as my triumph deteriorated. "Second?" I couldn't believe what I'd heard. A Channel Seven news reporter approached me and asked me about the race. I said, "I tried as best as I could. I'm happy for Sam and at least I've made my dreams a reality. I'm off to Kuala Lumpur to represent Australia proudly in the '98 Commonwealth Games."