#1 The Meets

Track meets. All the hard work goes into this one, two or three races. Either the 100m,200m,400m and etc. Those seconds, haft seconds or less mean so much, making it to the top, regionals or even state. Without the competition, what would running really be? Getting your blocks set up. Adrenaline and nerves run through your veins. As you look around, you get intimidated by your opponents. Who are the ones that look fast, slow or the same as you? Do not compare yourself. Like they say, you cannot judge a book by it’s cover. And that’s exactly what you need to remember at track meets. Just because someone looks fast, doesn’t always mean they are. You place your feet perfectly in your blocks and jump up and down a couple of times to get your legs warm. As you are looking down at the track, you hear the loudest noise but almost silent gunshot. That gunshot means it’s go time. No more messing around, this is it. Running that first curve and straight, you get a nice feel for who you are running with. You keep your eye on that one person who seems to be at the same pace as you are. As you pace yourself to the second curve and straight, your body starts to shut down. However, at this point, it is all or nothing. This last half of the race needs to be the hardest you have ever ran in your life. The crowd is roaring every which way and you are focused on that last straight. From the corner of your eye, you see your teammates cheering you on which makes you feel stronger and think, “I can actually do this!” Never forget about your coaches, they are cheering you on as well. Every second counts. As you pass the finish line, the world is spinning and you are completely exhausted. Like getting hit by a truck but you survived.