4. Prologue -- Paula

Prologue -- Paula

S ix months ago, National Team Marathon Trials

My feet pounded against the pavement in a steady rhythm, my breathing matching my footfalls, just like I'd trained it to do ever since I first joined the track and field team in middle school.

This was the most important race of my life. If I placed in the top three, I had a guaranteed spot on the U.S. marathon team at the International Games in six months. I wanted that trip to Paris more than I wanted my next breath.

This part of the race was always the hardest for me. I'd just passed the eighteen mile marker, which meant I had eight miles to go. Well, eight point two miles to go. I resisted the urge to pick up the pace, knowing I needed to keep some fuel in the tank to make a strong finish. There was a long hill at mile twenty-three that needed to be conquered, then I could coast downhill to the finish.

Well, if coasting meant running a mile in five and a half minutes, twice as fast as the average recreational marathon runner.

The aid station tables appeared in the distance, and I started to veer to the right. As elite runners, we all had pre-mixed drinks in specially marked containers on the tables. The trick was to lock onto your drink, grab it while running past, and suck down some hydration and electrolytes without slowing down too much. If at all.

I grabbed my bottle off the table with no issues, then angled back onto the road just as someone approached the table for their own bottle. The runner came close enough that my steps faltered for an instant, trying to avoid a collision.

Deena Lovelace. Of course it was Deena Lovelace. That damned woman had been a thorn in my side since I first signed onto the women's training program at one of the largest sportswear companies in the world. It was a dream come true being paid to run, and if I could qualify to represent the United Sates at the International Games, I could die a happy woman.

And stupid Deena was trying to ruin that for me.

"Excuse you!" I snapped as I whipped around her.

She caught up with me two seconds later, not saying a word. Deena was a very focused runner, I had to give her that. When she was in the zone, nothing else seemed to exist for her. Except her competition, and right now, that was me.

With the number three runner somewhere behind us, I increased my pace the tiniest bit. Deena matched me. I was tempted to do it again, but I needed to remember my plan. Coach Radcliffe would have my ass if I injured myself trying to best a teammate, especially when we were currently tied for first place, thus guaranteeing us both a spot at the International Games.

We both just needed to keep our focus. This race was a means to an end.

The last few miles passed quickly, both of us barely breaking stride as we climbed the monster hill then flew down the other side. We turned a corner, cutting the angle as much as possible, and then suddenly we were surrounded on both sides with screaming fans. The sound was deafening, and it made a surge of adrenaline race through my exhausted body.

The finish line was in my sight, and I drew on the last of my reserves to pick up the pace, sprinting for the finish line. Deena was right next to me, drawing one step ahead at the very last instant and crossing the finish line two seconds ahead of me.

The crowd got louder, screaming and cheering.

I slowed to a stop, bracing my hands on my thighs as I gasped for breath. An official ran over with our medals, and Coach Radcliffe was right behind him. Deena and I both turned as Kara, a runner from another program, finished third, just a minute behind us.

"Nice race," Deena said to me, looking remarkably composed. "You set a good pace."

I frowned. Why did everything she said sound so cold? Her face was completely expressionless. Wasn't she excited about her win? It was like the woman was a robot or something.

Kara walked up and we both congratulated her as we walked over to the risers the race organizers had set up for pictures. This was going to be our team, I thought as the three of us posed for pictures with our medals. We were the three fastest American women in the field right now, and we were heading to Paris.

I just hoped I'd be assigned to room with Kara.