In a Runners World, There Are No Limits

In honor of Steve Prefontaine's birthday I thought it would make sense to share my love for running in writing.... (this piece was written back in high school). 

Running

“She’s got the pipes”, the coach excitedly exclaimed to my mother when she pulled into the lot to pick me up. “Now we just have to see if she has the rest!”

“The rest? “ my mother asked quizzically.  She had dropped me off at a cross -country practice that humid August morning.  Less than 24 hours earlier, in that same lot, I had been cut from the soccer team. 

“Time will tell.  It takes determination, commitment and passion to succeed in this sport. We’ll see”, he said.  “See you tomorrow at 8.”

Who was this man, and why was he questioning my character?  Little did I know that I had just taken the first steps of a long and important journey in my short life.   

I embarked on a grueling regiment of training.  It wasn’t long before I realized that this was not a one-season thing.  What started out as one cross- country season, mushroomed into a four year, year round commitment.  What did I get myself into?  Pride kept me going back in those early days, but I was pretty sure pride couldn’t carry me for four years.

There were some early successes; medals won, first place finishes, state championship races; which only served to lure me in further, fueling my commitment and determination to do better.  With success came its share of obstacles; a notable hospital stay, the sinister “gut bomb” during an otherwise fantastic race, shin splints, stress fractures, or simply those days when “the wheels just fell off” for no discernable reason. I was surprised that while the successes lured me in, the obstacles did not deter me.

Running  a cross-country race is a lot like living your life.  There are long flat treks with soft footing, where the going is easy.  There are bumpy patches where you can easily lose your footing.  There are arduous uphills, and frightening but exhilarating down hills.  There are rollercoaster paths where the ups and downs are constant but by no means consistent.  There is a lot going on, and that doesn’t even begin to address the competition.

I don’t know when the switch was flipped; when, exactly, the lesson was learned.  It happened when I realized it wasn’t about the running at all.  Running was simply the vehicle in which I learned one of life’s most important lessons.  The coach knew all along.  He also wisely knew that he could not just tell me.  He had to show me. He coached and I ran.  He coached and I learned.

I learned that my destiny belongs to me.   I own it.  With commitment, dedication, determination and passion, combined with an open mind and the willingness to learn I know I can go far, go anywhere perhaps. 

Running has been and I hope will always be a huge part of my life. It keeps me calm by clearing my mind. It centers me and connects me with the world. I like to run because my legs can literally take me anywhere, places I wouldn't dare to go if I weren't running. Running has proven time and time again that there are no limits, there is no such thing as a comfort zone. With running you have to push yourself, push yourself to get faster and stronger. Here's to an amazing 8 years of running and many, many more to come.