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Run As If Your Legacy is Chasing You
Ten years ago, I set out for a timed mile run. The sky was clear of West Texas dirt, but the road was paved straight to torment. By the time I finished, I collapsed in front of my college apartment. My elapsed time was 10:08.
At 19 years of age, I was unable to break the ten-minute barrier and I almost earned myself a trip to the hospital. In fact, I recall hearing sirens in the background, hoping an ambulance felt my body’s distress call and was on its way to rescue me.
Why I Timed Myself
My running career didn’t begin in a lackluster way. I officially picked up the sport during my sophomore year of high school. I was in relatively good shape; others might’ve described it as skinny fat. Regardless, this brown kid was on a mission and could not be detoured.
The mission: to impress a girl.
She was a thin, smart, Spanish speaking Latina whose family was even browner than I could ever claim to be. They owned a restaurant, and their home smelled like a mixture of chorizo and Fabuloso. At the time, this was my dream girl.
I trained regularly, felt motivated, and saw near-instant growth. I earned a spot on the Varsity team. Eventually, I won or stood on the podium in several races. I even caught the girl’s attention and began dating her for years. All of my…
