What kept me going.

The sun was bright but not particularly scorching and yet, the track felt like a desert.

Every step seemed to drain huge amounts of energy. Every step, accompanied by a panting breath.

Muscles began to ache with each passing moment.

The goal seemed so far away, so distant - 2.4 kilometres to be exact.

Step, step, step... step, step... step... step...

Slowly, but without walking, the journey continued.

Looking at the floor, the red, beaten down track dully looked back.

"Keep your head up!" The statement resonated in some distant memory.

The feeling of surrender screamed from the inside.

Two words came from within, "Look higher..."

The beautiful blue sky was lit up with fantastical clouds. Ever blue, ever clear - especially on the bright beautiful day.

Beautiful...

At the end of it all, the sky still remained...