Sports Poetry Add a poem

Escape by Running by Laura Muhawesh

A True Champion by Stephen Timothy Farrell

The Winning Feeling by Rebecca Bishop

The Pain/ the wait is over ready to go again by Rosemary

One and Two? by Jim Findley

I am an Ironman by Dennis McMinn

Tri-mantra by Olivier Blanchard

In the name of the Founder, Past Champions, and Age-Groupers by Sonny Sellers of Omak, WA

SATURDAY MORNING by R. Stone - Burley, Idaho

(Untitled) by Bryan Dennis

Poetry in Tri-Motion by Andrew O' Farrell

Escape By Running by Laura Muhawesh

Today I will run as far as I can and I will not stop until I am spent. I will run from my fears, and run from the pain.

Today, I will run and I will run without gain. I will run, today, with a power to live. I will run with my love and my pride and my hate.

I will run today and no one will know that I am running away and no one said “go.”

When I run today, I will not think, my mind and thoughts will my legs overtake.

My muscles will pump and the blood will flow through, my joints will ache and my body will drain. But through all of this I will keep running, because when I run, to the road I’ve submit.

My mind will be gone in its own quite place, and no noise will I hear nor smile will I fake.

Today I will run as strong as I can and today I will run with no finish line.

A True Champion by Stephen Timothy Farrell

It's the British Open, year two thousand and three,
It was played at St. Georges, for all to see.

A wonderful links, such a masterful test,
It invited such players - who proved to be best.

The course looked worn; its tracks were old,
Who knew such a story was about to unfold.

While thousands of spectators looked on - they saw,
The top golfers in the world give it their all.

As their balls flew high, then descending to land,
Most ended up - in the rough or the sand.

They struggled and grinded - they competed to win,
But after two days, most players would grin,
For two rounds at St. Georges were now completed,
The rules were clear - The field must be depleted.

The weekend was here and the final field was set,
Who would win was still - anyone's bet.

By end of day three, what did the leader board ring?
Names like Woods and Garcia, Love, Bjorn and Singh.

Of all these big names, surely, one would prevail,
Or could we be looking at a David and Goliath tale.

To beat all the obstacles and still quell,
Takes nerves of steel and patience as well.

For most of the day a rookie would lead,
Until the back nine when he began to bleed.

But up and down for par, on the final hole,
Was good enough to meet his goal.

Ben Curtis has posted at one under par,
That's the best in the clubhouse, on this day so far.

It appears as Thomas Bjorn will win - OH WAIT,
A double bogey on sixteen has just sealed his fate.

So the Claret Jug - goes to Ben Curtis this year,
He's the champion golfer for all to revere.

The Winning Feeling

Days are numbered, three, two, one
So feel the freedom, feel the sun
Breaking through the barrier clear
I'm standing tall to feel the cheer.

Colours turning inside out
Round and round without a doubt,
So pity for those shameless sheep
That smoulder down below my feet.

Three sides, three dimensions beat them sore!
Because that will be the day that opens the door
Bettering the best it's all in me
For I'm the best that I can be!

By Rebecca Bishop triathlete in 1993-6 and determined to make a come back to the sport in 2003.

The pain/ the wait is over ready to go again: by Rosemary

The pool is still, slow
but I just think to myself I'm a waterbaby
but my swim is slow
slow is good
for me,
I tell myself
I need to save my legs for the bike and run

run is what i do best,
I'm out of the pool
and it's freezing, I then find myself at the end of my bike leg
almost at the start ready to get my favourite shoes

And I say to my legs "if you babies can carry me the distance
you shall rest later"

cause after this tri is over I will be saying to myself "now how easy was that",
lets do that over and over again
that's after all my pain is gone.

By Rosemary

One and Two? By Jim Findley

Author's note: This was written after a small, stagger-start triathlon in Rome, NY, in 199?

The morning was right
'Twould not be a fight
But a showdown was surely at hand
Two masters of speed
"To the Death!" was their creed
(Thus all the more pain to withstand)

They set out to prove
Who faster could move
Through water, on wheels and by foot
They knew right away
By the end of the day
One bragging would be all but kaput

The race was begun
By whistle, not gun
And a quaint little speech by Rome's mayor
As the first swam away
The second did say
"Now might be a good time for prayer!"

With superior speed
The first took the lead
And passed a less-competent swimmer
Though Two passed one as well
His head did not swell
As his slim chance of victory got slimmer

At his bike Two arrived
Belched, grunted then cried
"Why me? I'm not a bad fellow!"
His rear tire, though not flat
Had leaked as it sat
And now acted just like stale marshmallow

But away Two did go
And well did he know
What torture could befall his poor wheel
He said "It's about time
This here bike of mine
Found out how GOOD pain can feel!"

Though the ride was quite sluggish
And the weather turned muggish
The second gave all that he had
The bike course was blessed
With hills that would test
And make mince-meat of lesser a lad

In the last several klicks
The rear tire out of tricks
Let alone any air for some cushion
Number Two spotted One
A mile into his run
Which prodded both into some pushin'

Now Two's legs were tweaked
The next time he peaked
And saw one looking barely annoyed
With two miles remaining
Two's legs were still straining
(Though secretly, the pain was enjoyed!)

Now the clocks were the foes
And quads once strung like bows
Relaxed, and Two picked up the pace
In a race against time
The first crossing the line
Does not outright win the race

So ahead Two proceeded
And saw just what he needed
As the guy up ahead looked behind
A good rule of thumb when out on a run
"If you look back and see me, you're mine!"

But One they soon learned
Need not be concerned
As he prevailed by will and by guts
And dismayed not was Two
He fought hard, and true
Besides, that young kid kicked both our butts!

I am an Ironman by Dennis McMinn

I began as a mortal human being,
Someone that most individuals were used to seeing.

I set my eye upon a goal
A goal that I could not fear.

To extend my body and mind
Training for hours and hours upon time.

I had to believe both physically and mentally of what I could achieve
And letting no doubt creep into me.

At times I was tired, hurting and scared
But the thought of the finish line kept me pushing near.

My goal was to accomplish my dream
The dream of what one day I could be called

I swam 2.4, I biked 112 and I ran 26.2
My body revolting, but then participating in my plan
And as I crossed that finish line with all my strength,
Everyone will look at me differently and call me,

IRONMAN

Tri-mantra (to be hissed or groaned at any unfriendly hill)

In my world,
The water is cold,
The wind is hard,
And the road never ends.

In my world,
There are no losers.
Only competitors
still on their way,
And spectators
waiting to be inspired.

In my world,
Victory is not weighed in gold,
But in determination and courage.

In my world,
There are no boundaries,
No limits,
There is no end.
Every day is the last day of my life,
And the first.

In my world,
The word "can't" does not exist,
And nothing is impossible.

by Olivier Blanchard
Greenville, SC

In the name of the Founder, Past Champions, and Age-Groupers by Sonny Sellers of Omak, WA

(In the form of the Lord's Prayer)

"Our founder who began on Maui
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done
in Canada as in Hawaii.
Give us this day of 17 hours
and penalize us for drafting,
as we penalize those who would draft against us.
lead us not into submission, but deliver us to our Finish Line
Arrival -Ironman-"

SATURDAY MORNING by R. Stone - Burley, Idaho

Here at the start
The water's too cold
The outhouse line long
I am too old

The wind's coming up
My goggle strap breaks
The crowd surges forward
The start of the race

I'm lost in the water
Run over again
Passed by a raft
I never could swim

Finally to shore
I stub my big toe
Where is my bike?
Nobody knows

My wetsuit is stuck
My rear tire flat
My clean white towel
Sprayed by a cat.

Off on the road
Facing 20 knots and gusts
Well back in the pack
I've got to be nuts

As I get to the turn
The wind's dying down
Soon I learn
It just turned around.

Parts start to hurt
My hands going numb
Back at the start
It's now time to run

Where are my legs?
I've left them somewhere
I look down to check them
To see if they're there.

As I leave the start
The leaders come in
Their race is over
They've come for the win

Mine is just starting
Miles to go
I'd run like the wind
But I am too slow

Passed on my left
Passed on my right
Sprayed by a hose
I'll finish by night

Just passed by Zeke
Caught in the run
Come back--Zeke
You said it's for fun

I would keep up
If stronger than I am
If I were a lion
I'm running fast as I can

There are pains over pains
Aches over aches
My throat keeps burning
There's salt on my face

The finish is near
My race about done
I've finished another
I do this for fun

When I leave this life
Maybe I'll rest
Then if I come back
I'll be the best

But as my luck would have it
As the Pearly Gates open so slow
St. Pete will step forward
And, suddenly, say - - "GO!"

(Untitled) by Bryan Dennis

The swim was OK, feel I am quite cool..
Hang on during the bike, don't be a fool..
Must not think ahead
Marathon I do dread
Now I am starting to involuntarily drool..

Volunteers help, they have what I need..
Still, I am worried about my speed..
Blew the transition
How is my position?
Who is the badass in the lead?

I can walk the course if need be
Heck, I will never be a paula-newby
They keep saying I look great
Liars!! what will be my fate?
Maybe I should have done that Colorado ski..

Running is a major pain in the ass
GU isn't quite giving me the gas
Had enough of this crap
I need a good slap
Should have quit the race at richter pass

Two miles away, the finish is near
purpose for the race coming quite clear
Even though I am a midpacker
NEVER call me a slacker
I deserve a ride on a jet called leer

At the end, it seems everyone is my fan
I busted it, have joined the elite clan..
Body says go to bed
Need beer for my big head
I WILL ALWAYS BE AN IRONMAN!!!!!!!!

Poetry in Tri-Motion by Andrew O' Farrell

This is a little story about an attempt at glory... In a triathlon My first actually recorded factually at the UBC Tri last year. Ok it's a short course, 50m pool, and no hills, Still, a thousand lemmings guarantees some thrills.

Twas' the night before, and I finally walked into the store... To buy a Speedo. It had been my creedo to never wear a Speedo, And to declare 'To never shave my legs bare!' But I dared, To do both... In the hope of finishing, fairly, fleetly.

I know this article is a tad bit juvenile, But who really wants to grow up; Leave me denial. Of the fact that I, serious mountain bike guy, Had not trained a lick in the pool; A fool? Yes. Maybe I swam bit, 800 meters fit I thought. And I hadn't counted on being caught On film; blushing mother, nobody left for cover.

The relentless-you kick me-I kick somebody else, We gulp water, madly round and round riot Was over. Now I'm the last one in the lane I complained. But the water was still, soft, and quiet.

Even my girlfriend said she felt badly for me. And because I had spent a hefty entry fee. I jogged out of the pool, feeling the fool In my little Speedo.

The transition was smooth, I approved And the bike was even better. I felt like a god. Passing with a nod. Those on one speeds and trikes.

Transition number two, I knew what to do, And I did it rather well. On to the run, whoooa, feel like a bum. And my chest constricted tight.

Hurts hardcore, legs wobble like never before, No muscle would cooperate. Jeez, pulse in the roof, this must be proof That I will lose this fight.

Slow motion and considerable commotion For those first few couple of clicks. Slipping into the grove, I star to move No longer desperate is my plight.

Yeah, feeling strong, there is my mom Somewhat less embarrassed. The hammer is down, I look like a clown. And the finish is in sight.

And now my girlfriend says she is proud of me. And because I had spent a hefty entry fee I can conveniently lean and cough up my spleen In my little Speedo.