Faster! Faster! the voices screamed. His lungs were ready to burst, his head throbbed as if a hammer was breaking through from within. Every inch of his body ached, yet he kept running.
Faster! They bellowed still. He knew he couldn't go any faster than that. Or maybe he could, but he just didn't want to.
What was the point after all? he thought.
To trudge his way till the end where he'd win some badge like everybody else, a badge he didn't even want...
His train of thought was cut short by another who'd just overtaken him in the tracks. It was no more surprising to find people casually jog past him while he struggled to drag himself forward.
You're not trying enough! the voices screamed into his ears again.
There's still time. Work harder! He clenched his teeth as he tried to ignore his aching muscles, mustering the mettle despite the hurt. Not until yet another one had crossed him with ease did he notice that he had hardly been moving ahead. His efforts had been in vain.
I can't. he spluttered, staggering to a halt.