Heavy Shoes

The music was loud, my heart was bounding, my brain...well not in the game. Ear phones in my ears to try to focus my thoughts. I have done this millions of time, but this time it was different. It was different because I actually had something to loose. Putting on my spikes that day was a vigorous process. They seemed like 50 extra pounds to carry. I tried to shake off my nerves but it seemed that they just wanted to overpower my consciousness. The walk to the bull pit seemed like the longest trek of my life. Step by step, my nerves grew too excessive to bear. Checking in was the easy part. Waiting to be called to go to the start line, I thought to myself, can I really do this? My thoughts wonder. I think of all the hours of practice that was expended for this one race. I think about all the times during those practices where I wanted to give up. Giving up seemed like so easy back then, but I remembered a quote from a well known athlete Muhammad Ali; "I hated every minute of training, but I said, 'Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion'" I knew that I could be that one. The one to triumph over the other competitors. My spikes still heavy, my mind still competing, my muscles stiff, I walked to the start line. Set up my blocks, and do a few practices starts. The other runners the same. Still nervous, and feeling a little sick, I say a quick prayer to see if I can get my mind fixed on the race. Now it was time. Time to race, time to run, and time to win. I was ready. "On your mark"............."Set"......Gun shot.......I fling out of my blocks, keeping low, pump my arms and my legs. My whole running career on the line, I speed down the track. Running as fast I know how, not thinking about anything but the finish line. I get distracted by the runner right by me. Wait am I not supposed to be faster then him? I lengthen my stride and pass him, and then the others. Last 100 meters come quickly has I go around the last turn. As I turn the corner, I see the crowd in the corner of my eye. The cheers now come from all direction. My coach yelling, my friends yelling, my family yelling. This was it. Last 50 meters, my legs now drained from energy, I tell myself, this is it! I lay back a little bit and then lengthen my stride once again and heave forward toward the finish line...... The race is now over. The runners wasted from the run. We congratulate each other and walk off the track. I have never ran like that. This race was different. Why? Because I ran fast, I ran well, I ran like a champion. What a race. Sitting and waiting for the results is the hardest part of a track meet. Putting on my sweats, and jacket I go sit in the bleachers, where all my friends congratulate me on the victory. I don't know if I was victor or not. There were 5 other runners in my heat. I thought to my self, maybe I did win. Sitting and waiting for the results, I close my eyes and recollect what had happened. I have never ran like that before. What a race!! The anticipation now killing me, my friends run up to and say, "Dude the results are up!". What??? That was quick. I run with them to the result board and look at the board...Tears of joy almost slide down my cheek as I read the result board. I had done it. I had won. I had triumphed over the other competitors. I was number 1. Never felt the way I felt at that time. The joy that came from my heart was unthinkable. Wow what a race, I thought as I walked away. All my hard work had payed off. It truly did. I promised myself from that day on that I would work harder every day. That I wouldn't quit. That I can live like a champion only after the victory.

So this memory re-told. The experience I had that day changed my life. You know I didn't do much of track after that. But I still worked hard in all things that I did. Slacking off was not an option. Because in the words of Colin Powell: "There is no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure." And in the words of me...If there were to be a formula to success it would Hard work+Self motivation=Success. So Never give up! Keep going! Be strong! Work Hard! Success is just around the corner for those who do these things!