The 100m qualifying rounds at the World Championships were always going to be intense, but standing on the start line, the weight of just how close the margins were didn’t really hit me until it was over. When you’re out there, everything happens so fast, you’ve only got a few seconds to execute the race you’ve trained for, and anything less can mean the difference between moving on and going home.
I finished 23rd overall. Fast enough, I thought, to make the semifinals. But as it turns out, the system isn’t just about time; it’s about where you place in your heat. A few athletes with slower times than mine advanced because they finished in the top 2 in their respective heats. It stung, to be honest. But that’s how these championships go, you can run well and still come up short. It’s a game of milliseconds and strategy, and I simply didn’t race well enough on the day.
The disappointment was real, but there was still a lot to take away from the experience. I got the chance to compete on the world stage, reconnect with some old friends, and share in the ups and downs with people who know exactly what it feels like. We all train so hard for moments like this, and even when it doesn’t work out, there’s still a sense of pride in just being here.
Now, with the 100m behind me, I have a rest day to regroup. I’m shifting my focus to the 200m, 400m, and potentially the 4x100m and 4x400m relays. My schedule is still full, and I’m determined to make the most of it. The beauty of track is that there’s always another race, another chance to prove yourself.
In the end, I have no excuses. I didn’t do what I needed to in the 100m, and that’s on me. But this isn’t the end. The championships go on, and so will I. Onwards and upwards!
Stuart Lynn - Masters Athlete 