Despair

On his way home, Michael suddenly felt strangely fine. His brain seemed to have completely stopped thinking about the race, as some sort of defense mechanism against extreme frustration and nervousness, never mind the threat of death looming over Michael's thoughts.

Knowing that to do well he had to be in a positive mindset, Michael decided to spend the rest of the day and tomorrow trying to stabilize his mindset.

Michael decided to watch videos online and play some relaxing games, in hopes of easing his mind. While it did help a bit, it didn't completely get rid of the issue.

'I'll just sleep it off.. sleep is a wonderful medicine. I hope.' Seeing that it was already 9PM, Michael decided to go to bed.

After doing his routine of stretches, Michael quickly fell into a slumber.

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Waking up the next day, Michael felt refreshed.

'I guess sleep is the best magical cure.' Not feeling an all consuming frustration and anger anymore, Michael felt relieved.

In all of athletic sport, while they may be some variation depending on the sport, it's about 50% physical capabilities and 50% mental capabilities.

As a famous saying went, "The mind can single-handedly cause success, but it can also single-handedly cause failure."

An athlete can have a moment of extreme determination and sacrifice, that causes him to win despite the odds against him. On the other hand, another athlete can have a moment of self-doubt and panic or clouding anger, that causes him to lose despite the odds in his favor.

Michael decided to head to the swimming pool before breakfast. He did a very light warm-up, lasting only 20 minutes, but it was that was needed to keep his body in good shape.

For the rest of the day, he just lazed around his room doing nothing of importance. Though he did go to his mom's factory in the afternoon, just to say hello and to relieve some of his boredom.

After doing his routine of stretches, Michael lay on the bed unable to sleep due to nervousness. He eventually managed to fall asleep after 30 minutes.

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Waking up the next day, Michael felt even better, mentally speaking. He had no idea why, but he just decided to accept it, he wont question something good.

He had spent yesterday planning how to swim the 800m, and he had a good plan in mind.

He will swim the first 100m in 1 minute exactly, and the last 100m in also 1 minute. The rest of the 600m will be swam at a stable pace of 1 minute and 4 seconds. This will add up to a total of 8 minutes and 24 seconds, which will guarantee him a medal.

The normal person doesn't have a crazy supernatural system that can give him elixirs, so it is very rare for a swimmer to improve his time by more than a few seconds in long distance races.

While eating breakfast, Michael decided to see the 400m results that came out recently.

'The past me would've been ecstatic to see this.' Michael thought as he looked at his placement, top 9. A far-cry from his usual placement in the top 30s and 40s.

Arriving at the swimming stadium, Michael walked through the entrance and quickly got out of his clothes and jumped into the pool.

After the warm-up, Michael sat down on the same chair as yesterday. He waited for about 15 minutes before he heard through the speaker.

"Swimmers in heat 7, please arrive at the starting blocks. Failure to do so within 5 minutes will result in you being counted as absent."

'Why do they change the wording everyday? Maybe because a different person does, The voice is a little higher from before yesterday.' Michael thought as he walked to the pool.

After about 4 minutes, Michael started to take off his clothes and do some light stretches.

"Get set!"

Michael got on the starting blocks.

"On your mark!"

*BEEP*

Michael got into the water, feeling mentally calm and refreshed as soon as he got submerged into the water.

1st 100 meters, Michael felt energetic and smooth in the water.

2nd 100 meters, He started to feel a bit tired and his heart rate accelerated, but this was to be expected.

3rd through 6th 100 meters, Michael felt his heart racing as his body barely managed to keep up with his pace, but he was still on track at 1 minute and 4 seconds every 100 meters.

7th 100 meters, he started to feel his body slow down, but he kept reminding himself of the horrible death that awaited him should he slack off, so he forcefully kept his body on track.

8th 100 meters, his body was heavily protesting against every movement. Every single stroke was painful, without his control his body started to slow down compared to the pace he had set for himself.

Finally touching the wall, Michael could hear the cheers being directed at him, as he was in one of the first heats, getting such a low time meant he had improved an insane amount and people always loved an underdog story. Michael looked at the big screen above him to see his time.

8 minutes and 33 seconds

'Again?! Again?!'

Michael felt something snap inside him, his eyes suddenly carrying a hint of madness inside them.