Sometimes the hardest part isn't the race. It's the silence before it begins. The heavy stillness like the world itself is holding its breath.The sharp sting of chlorine burning the back of your throat and the faint drip of water echoing off cold tiled walls. Each drop a reminder that you're alone. You stand behind the blocks, muscles tight, heart hammering, no music to drown out the doubt, just the hum of the empty pool and your own breath loud in your ears.You glance around and realize you're the only one ...