Page 146 of Dickathlon

It also put me at a disadvantage if there happened to be a tie. Not likely, but still not ideal.

“Take your time,” Yuri said, patting my back. “You rushed the approach.”

“Of course I rushed the approach. I was sprinting!”

“This is not what I meant. Stop being a brat.”

I hated when he was right.

I calmed down enough to land a decent jump on my next attempt. Not my best, but it would certainly be enough to keep me in the top three. It allowed me the chance to go for broke on the third try. Each of the field events allowed three tries.

I got six more inches on the last jump, which landed me a second place finish for the event.

I knew without looking there would be a text from Ty about the six inches. I just knew it.

I held off on looking at my phone until Yuri and I were back in the rest area. Despite what I said to Asher, it was pretty nice. I had brought an air mattress for later. More than half my day would be spent waiting and I wasn’t going back to the village, even if it was close. Yuri warned me to stay at the track. Apparently, several track and field athletes at the games in Athens weren’t able to make it to their events on time because of a shuttle mishap.

If I had learned anything over the last few years, it was to always take Yuri’s advice, and never make the mistakes others had already made.

Each country’s athletes tended to stick together. Some, like the US, had sponsored an area for their athletes, so that’s where I spent most of my time. I could worry less about anyone interfering with my gear, my fluids, all of it. Another lesson learned from Yuri.

I pulled out my phone.

Tyler: If you wanted another six inches, I could’ve helped you with that.

Although I expected the comment, it still brought a smile to my face.

Declan: I’ll take six inches wherever I can get it.

Tyler: You better not!

Tyler: Maybe you’re better handling heavy balls. That’s up next!

His humor about my events was distracting, but in a completely appreciated way.

Declan: I think you’re the one with the ball handling skills. Mine are slightly bigger than yours.

Tyler: What have you been doing your whole life? Ignoring your balls?

Point taken.

I double-checked the schedule Yuri had sent and had already read a thousand times.

0930 100 metres

1040 Long jump

1215 Shot put

1745 High jump

2130 400 metres

Being late for an event was a terrible reason to lose out on a medal. If you missed or didn’t finish just one event in the decathlon, you were out. Disqualified from the entire thing.

I could change out of my suit after the shot put and get some lunch. I’d love to see Ty, but it was easier to stay in a competitive headspace if I waited until the days’ events were over. He understood.

Tyler: Still thinking about your balls?