As a runner, I get a lot of opinions on the sport. I usually find myself being judged, while being highly praised at the same time. People often think I'm crazy for voluntarily putting myself through so much physical and mental effort, which sometimes turns into pain. Of course, it isn't always easy. But I'm here to remind you that hard work often transforms into great reward.
At first, I laughed at the idea, too. My older brother was a runner who started breaking records in high school. Everyone assumed that I, too, would also be a great runner. I found myself laughing at the recurring joke. But little did I know that they were right. My freshman year of high school, I joined the track team and put myself in the short distance group, because it was known to require less work. Two days later, my head coach approached me saying that I would be with long distance the next day. And I think it's safe to say that the next day would influence the rest of my life.
Long distance was very competitive and required hard work, but the challenge fostered success in more than just athletics. I found that it calmed my busy mind from the chaos of every day life. Rather than reflecting on the school day or things that happened inside and outside of my friend groups, I was able to focus on myself — an odd concept in today's world.
Some days, I was less motivated than others, but I was always able to push myself to go to practice. It was a healthy and constant challenge, yet each day was different. There was an internal promise that I made to myself everyday that literally helped me move forward.There were times when I was in pain and didn't think my body would allow me to hit better times or gain better form. Looking back, I truly believe that it's the physical and mental challenges that keep me coming back.
This past weekend, I competed in my last collegiate cross country race. It's interesting to see my success fluctuate throughout my running career. I wasn't doing it for money, nor was I seeking a post-college sponsorship. I was motivated by the way running made me feel and the sense of accomplishment in knowing that I was a better version of myself compared to the day before. And so, I run.
