Run Like the Wind

As a child, I was involved and active no doubt. Cheerleading competitively and my city Youth Football kept me busy. However, in gym class, I was no star. Even running laps in P.E. at age 8, I never failed to end at the back of the pack. I enjoyed athletics, but it did not come naturally. I would not say I was embarrassed immediately, but as P.E. turned into Athletics in middle school, my self-confidence was on a decline.

The first day of 7th grade girls athletics, the coaches wanting to get a feel for the students, had us run a mile. Just 4 laps. I knew I could do at least that. We shot off the starting line. Almost instantly, I fell behind. Bewildered at the other girl’s athleticism, I watched as one-by-one, they passed me, then lapped me. The run was more difficult than expected; I finished, out of breath and needing to throw up, 15 minutes and 48 seconds later. This trend continued. Every day, we were sent to the track to do warm-up laps. Relentlessly, I finished in the last. I was sick of it.

I set a goal; finish the two warm-up laps first. I had to do this, for myself. I knew I had to out run all of the track girls that typically finished first.

I began simply by working on my diet. I was in no way, considered overweight, however this was a crucial step to becoming healthier. Although challenging, I knew the feeling I would get after finishing first would be better than the temporary joy from eating 4 warm, chocolate chip cookies. Work outs from volleyball helped, but I needed more. A new challenge. Cross Country was that. I had never ran more than a mile in one workout, so this was definitely new territory. For a reason, unbeknownst to me, I enjoyed it. I would like to attribute my emotions to tackling this obstacle and reaching my goal, and maybe that was part of it, but I did enjoy feeling free. Running through the outdoors made me felt free and as though I could run from my problems. This kept me on track to my goal. Although, I was never the fastest here and as far from winning any races, I found something I enjoyed and it played a major role in tackling my lack of natural athletic ability.

December 6, 2009, the coldest day of the year so far (barely legal to be allowed to be outside for athletics). As per usual, all the girls headed to the track for warm up laps. This time was different. Around the first 200 meters, I was not in the middle of the pack nor in the back. I was first. With no one in front of me, I felt free, as I did in cross country. Nothing was ahead of me except the finish line. That feeling guided me through the remaining 600 meters, to the finish line and to a first place finish.

Reaching my goal and confronting this conflict impacted me in ways unimaginable. I came out of this 2 year long battle with myself stronger, more confident, and with the knowledge I could conquer anything that was in the way of my happiness. For an 8th grader, these lessons were extremely valuable to me and changed me for the better. I now face other challenges, geared with these values in mind.