i ran straight up the right-hank wheel rut in the road , ran until my temples pounded and my eyes pulsed in their sockets , ran until i had a hot stitch in my left side from the bottom of my ribs to my armpit , ran until i could taste blood and something like metal shavings in the back of my throat , when i could n't run anymore i stumbled to a stop and looked back over my shoulder , puffing and blowing like a wind-broken horse .