Chapter 77: The Heats

The weeks passed quickly, and soon, Rohan found himself boarding a plane bound for the World Championships. The event was being held in Doha, a city known for its hot, dry climate—a challenge in itself for the athletes who would be competing.As the plane took off, Rohan glanced out the window, watching the ground fall away beneath him. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts—strategies, race plans, the competition. But more than anything, he thought about what Ms. Mehra had told him before they left: "You've already won by getting here, Rohan. The race is just another step in your journey. What matters most is what you learn from it."He repeated those words to himself as the plane soared through the sky, trying to let go of the pressure that had been building up inside him. But it wasn't easy. He had worked so hard to get to this point, and now that he was here, the weight of expectation felt overwhelming.The team arrived in Doha late in the evening, and as they stepped off the plane, the heat hit them immediately. It was sweltering, even at night, and Rohan could feel the sweat forming on his skin within minutes. The climate would be a challenge, but it was one he had prepared for. He had spent the last few weeks training in similar conditions, adjusting his body to handle the intense heat and humidity.The World Championships venue was unlike anything Rohan had ever seen. The stadium was massive, its bright lights illuminating the track in the center. As the team entered the stadium for their first practice session, Rohan felt a surge of excitement. This was it. This was the place where he would compete against the best runners in the world.As he walked onto the track, he couldn't help but look around at the other athletes—some of them he recognized from watching past races, others were new faces. But all of them had one thing in common: they were the best of the best. These were athletes who had trained their entire lives for this moment, and now they were all here, ready to fight for the same thing.The practice sessions were intense, but Rohan felt a sense of calm as he worked through his drills. He knew that he had done everything he could to prepare. Now, it was just a matter of executing.That night, Rohan sat in his hotel room, staring out at the city lights of Doha. Tomorrow, he would compete in the heats—the first step in qualifying for the finals. The pressure was immense, but he reminded himself of everything he had learned. Stay focused. Stay present. Run your race.

The day of the heats dawned hot and bright, the sun blazing down on the stadium as Rohan and the other athletes took to the track. The air was thick with tension, every athlete knowing that their place in the finals depended on how they performed today.Rohan stood at the starting line, his heart pounding in his chest as he glanced at the competitors beside him. Some of them were familiar faces—runners he had seen at international meets—but others were complete unknowns. Regardless, he knew that every single one of them was here to win, and none of them would be easy to beat.

The atmosphere was thick with anticipation as the runners took their positions on the starting line. The crowd's murmur swelled to a hum as the athletes prepared for the gun. The sun blazed down, casting long shadows on the track, and the heat was almost unbearable. Despite the burning in his lungs from the dry air, Rohan forced himself to stay calm, focusing on his breathing."The heat is nothing," he reminded himself. "I've trained for this. I'm ready."He could hear his heart pounding in his ears, the familiar rush of adrenaline as he crouched into his stance. His body was taut, every muscle coiled and ready to explode off the blocks. He didn't think about the other runners; he didn't let his mind wander to what might happen next. Instead, he focused on what he had been training for: executing his race, one step at a time.The starting pistol cracked through the air.Rohan shot forward, his legs pumping with precision and power. The first few strides were critical—setting his pace, settling into his rhythm. The other runners surged alongside him, their movements fluid and sharp. They were fast, incredibly fast, but Rohan didn't let that intimidate him. He knew his strategy: start strong, hold his position, and then make his move in the final stretch.The first lap flew by in a blur of motion. The heat was relentless, but Rohan's body responded well, his training kicking in as he paced himself. His breathing was steady, and though the lactic acid was already starting to build in his legs, he ignored the burn. He was in the middle of the pack, exactly where he wanted to be.The second lap came, and Rohan began to make his move. He pushed harder, his strides lengthening as he edged forward. He passed one runner, then another, his body feeling the strain but his mind clear and focused.By the time they entered the final lap, Rohan was in fourth position. The runners ahead of him were strong, but he could see their fatigue starting to show. This was the moment he had been waiting for—the final push. He could feel the crowd's energy, the buzz of anticipation as the runners barreled down the backstretch.With 200 meters left, Rohan shifted gears, powering forward with everything he had. His legs screamed in protest, but he blocked out the pain. He wasn't thinking about anything else—just the finish line, just the pure drive to get there as fast as possible.As they rounded the final turn, Rohan was neck and neck with the third-place runner. He could feel the heat radiating off the track, his body burning with exhaustion, but he dug deep, finding the last reserve of strength. His eyes were fixed on the finish line, his body moving on instinct as he pushed past the runner in third.The roar of the crowd hit him like a wave as he crossed the line, panting, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath. He had done it—he had qualified for the finals.His time wasn't the best in the heats, but it didn't matter. He had made it. As Rohan staggered off the track, he felt the weight of the moment settle on him. He was one step closer to competing in the final of the World Championships. But he also knew that the hardest part was still ahead.