The difference between that track season (sophomore year) versus the last one (junior year), was consistency. I improved by a lot sophomore year and got much better times but I lacked consistency. I was stuck in a cycle: race well, put too much pressure on myself, not do as well, feel really sad, and then back to square one… maybe. This went on into my junior year cross country season.…
It had been a rough week in my life. I was sick and couldn't figure out what was wrong.. There were many blood tests done and yet the doctors could not figure out what was causing my breathing problems. I run cross country so breathing is a vital factor in how I perform. Saturday came along and it was time for the Culver Military Cross Country Invitational.…
I Corinthians 9:24 states, “Do you not know that those who run a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you obtain it”. This Bible verse has had significant meaning to me particularly while running track in high school. Track is a sport that requires hard work, determination, speed, focus, and self-discipline.…
During track season, my seventh grade basketball coach thought that it would be a great idea if I joined the track team and competed in the 400 meter event. I attended every practice and I was motivated and convinced that I could win first place. However, on the first track meet that I attended, I was in last place. I was so far behind that the girl in first place passed me up.…
I ran the worst time of that season 22 minutes and 33 seconds, a time I didn’t even run my freshmen year. Today, I felt determined to change that, nothing could get in my way and I would do everything in my power make my goal possible.…
Failure has always been a huge aspect in my life recurring in everything I indulge myself in; whether it be academically, athletically, or even Boy Scouts. I tend to have a knack for challenging myself till I am unable to complete the task given to me, whilst this could be good in some ways it also puts me in some not favorable situations. More recently I had the thought of completing a bike race , after receiving medical attention for a concussion and a broken collarbone. This was not necessarily the smartest decision on my part, especially since the race was longer than I have ever raced before and also a three day event.…
Before Brayden arrived to pick me up, I worked both of the horses for a hour each. Afterwards, I bushed them and turned them out to the field for the day. They deserved a day off relaxing and grazing under the sun. Before turning them loose to their own devices, I spray them down with fly spray on and slip their fly masks on. Both horses trot around the field before settling down to graze.…
When I arrived at my enormous new high school for cheerleading auditions, I got lost. It was June, and since classes had just ended, crowds of kids filled the hallways, and I got bumped around like I did not exist. Thankfully, a cheerleader saw me and figured that I had come there for tryouts since I wore shorts, cheer shoes and a big bow in my hair. She took me to the gym where at least sixty girls had shown up to compete. The first thing I saw was cheerleaders doing high level tumbling with no fear.…
You decide to take a jog you put on your shoes lace them up and head out the door. You take a few stretches and start running throwing your arms in the air pumping her legs and breathing in and out. You as you run with the Lake on your right-hand side the sun beaten on your face. Trying to keep your mind clear of all thoughts you continue this pace for some time you start to sweat breathe heavier and your legs are starting to burn. You realize you ran longer than you thought you actually ran to a supermarket a little supermarket.…
We all have something to be passionate about. Whether it's a sport, a career or a hobby, everyone has that something that they do and love that is deeply woven into our lives. This "thing" is so important that taking this one "thing" away would tear any person apart. My passion, my hunger, my "thing" is running cross country. There has never been a moment wasted on my sport due to its inherent ability to build a person's character and teach the athletes the importance of goal setting.…
At some point in every person's life, they will have a special experience that will stick with them forever. One of my most memorable moments happened recently at a home volleyball game against Traverse City West. Approaching freshman volleyball season, the upperclassman spoke highly of the importance of overpowering TC West. As a ninth grader, I had the mindset that I would be playing for the freshmen team. I didn't think it really mattered what the outcome of the game would be, since we were only ninth graders.…
We had to time our first mile in the 90 degree heat. Needless to say, I walked home that day feeling a bit dejected. But cross country practice came and went with each day. Sucking that first day made me want to improve, I wanted to prove to myself and others that I could be good at sports. Next came the meets.…
When I was told I had to take a break from playing soccer, I honestly had no clue what to do because I was used to being busy and involved with extra-curriculars. I knew I didn't want to just sit around doing nothing, but that I also wanted to stay close to athletics. I contemplated a lot of different activities over the summer and determined that for my junior year I would participate in athletic training. It was a perfect alternate activity for me because I could stay close to athletics without putting myself in the position of getting worse, and I was also able to help and relate to other injured athletes. My senior year of athletic training I was given the opportunity to be head trainer.…
The temperature was 83 degrees outside and the humidity was quite high. I just finished swim practice, and I was exhausted from training in the pool. I wanted nothing more than to go home and rest. But, unfortunately, my calendar reminded me that I had eight miles to run. So I proceeded to run down the driveway.…
“They can’t stop what they can’t catch” This very Nike quote explains where my love for running began. This story is about me winning my first Track race. The day started well going through my classes as usually just as commonly as I do. During lunch I was thinking all about what I was going to eat; healthy or not-healthy. I also had to think about hydration and how much I wanted to eat.…