Mary is stretched and ready to go. She has been a member of the high school track team for the past three years, but this is the first time she is competing in the mile. As she sits with her coach before the race, she tries to visualize each step around the track. She is well rested, well hydrated, and overall pretty calm. Her heart rate monitor reads a steady 68 beats/minute. It is 85 degrees outside, but in the shade her body temp remains a steady 98.6 degrees.
As she approaches the start, she takes a look at her competition and does one last stretch of her calves. She gets into position and waits for the starting gun. Her heart rate is now up to 85 beats/minute, and her mouth feels incredibly dry. Mary can feel the tension in the air as the competitors wait for their signal.