To the old athletic me,
It feels like just yesterday you were going from practice to practice, game to game, competition to competition. The amount of energy and resiliency your body could maintain was glorious. Ten years of non stop tumbling, stunting, conditioning, and perfecting your routine over and over until your body couldn't go anymore.
I never thought I would be able to see my life without this athletic identity. I never thought I would be able to turn in my uniform my last year of high school, knowing that I would never get it back. I never thought I could turn in my track jersey after my last time running those four laps around the red rubber track my last spring as a high school athlete.
I will never forget the loss and sorrow I felt when I went to my first college football game as a student. The pit in my stomach, the tears that filled my eyes as I saw the cheerleaders leading the crowd.
That used to be me. Cheerleading was my sport, MY life. Track was also my life when Spring rolled around. These sports were not just a part of me, they WERE who I was.
I never even had a gym membership until senior year of high school. The only gym that I knew was one that had two inch blue mats, or a hard wooden basketball court. These were the only two types of gyms that I worked out in.
I know it was hard to make the transition, but freshman year of college you slowly accomplished this.
I've finally come to terms with it though, that my old athletic glory days of high school are in the old chapters of my book, or simply just memories of who I used to be. The life lessons that you learn through your sport, or passion, prepare you for the rest of your life. The coaches who have made huge impacts on your life. The friendships you gained, and still have to this day.
I may not still be that type of athlete, but my passion for running and fitness make me happy. It may not be the same as not having a crowd there watching me, but I have learned that even though I am not wearing a uniform... I am still athletic.
I am still into being healthy. I am still into being physically fit and active. I have become much more accepting of the past and the present. I have an identity now that is not just revolved around about being athletic.
It is a big part of who I am, but I am also figuring out my career plans and my future endeavors.
Sincerely,
The new fit me
