Dave Casler
PO Box 98
Ridgway, Colorado 81432
Young Adult Novels by Dave Casler...
I've been told by publisher after publisher that there's no market for Young Adult novels. I think they're wrong! So I'm putting my novels on-line for you. Forget the publisher! Read to your heart's content--it's free! And, I'd like to hear from you, too! Contact Page.
You're reading About Phillip. Be sure to check out About Dan here.
Phillip is a computer nerd who suddenly discovers a liking for track. Everything would be fine except for his father.
About Series Home
About the About Series
Index to All Chapters
Here are all the chapters, disguised as asterisks. Hover your mouse over an asterisk to see the title of the chapter. Click on the asterisk to go straight to that chapter.
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(About Phillip Home) (Last) (Next)
Hammer it!
Ok, go. Good start, didn’t slip this time. Now set a pace. No, I’m going too fast. Slow down. There, that’s right. Look at the clock—where is it?—there it is. Compare the seconds digit to my pace. Just right. I always start too fast. Ok, don’t pay any attention to the other runners. Stay in my lane. Eyes straight ahead. Breathe! Concentrate, Phillip!
Good first lap, timing just right. Conserve my energy. NO! Don’t fall into step with the Anderson guy. He’s taller than I am so my stride’s shorter. BREAK STEP PHILLIP! That’s better, ok, reset the pace. Keep up the pace. Watch the seconds on the clock.
Ok, now onto the third lap. I’m breathing harder. Keep the breaths deep. That’s right. Ok, let my body supply the energy. Stay in the lane; don’t get too close to the edge. Ok, there’s the Anderson guy to beat. His jersey’s a really ugly shade of green. Ignore him. Just keep the pace. Don’t want to run too fast. Break step with the other runner. Keep my own legs going. My knee itches.
All right, last lap of the first half. Time to stretch the pace a tiny bit. Not too much. Ok, that feels right. Watch the clock. No, I’m going to fast. Conserve the energy.
Good half, good time! Wow! Now don’t lose it. Concentrate on pacing. I’m feeling the energy lag. Can’t hear anything. Just concentrate. Concentrate harder. Ignore the other runner. It’s time to draw even with the guy in the next lane. He’s slowing down. He’s a ringer! Ignore him. IGNORE HIM PHILLIP! Break step. Reset the pace. There it is. Stay in the lane.
Ok, my wind is coming, time to stretch my wind. Two and a half laps to go. Concentrate on energy, save some for the end. Watch the clock. Nope, too fast. No, save it for the last lap.
There’s the guy to beat. Whoa! Where’d that guy come from? No, he’s trying to draw me. Ignore him. Keep the pace. Time to stretch the stride. Just a little. Check the clock. Ok, that’s good. That’s according to plan. Cool.
Last lap, time to use the last of the energy. Ok, meter it out. Last turn. Ok, there’s the Anderson guy. 5 yards ahead. Let more energy out. 3 yards. He’s tired. Ok, pour on the coals, Phillip, use it all. One yard. Ignore your body, Phillip! Ok, now. Now! HAMMER IT! HAMMER IT! HAMMER IT! YOU GOT HIM! HAMMER IT—HAMMER IT—HIT THE TAPE! I DON’T BELIEVE IT! I DON’T BELIEVE IT!