EPTAfter the Cross Country season ended, I pored over and analyzed the season. Why had I failed to meet my expectations? Why was I unable to improve? My search was in vain as I could not find an explanation. Unsatisfied with the disappointing Cross Country season, I put all my hope in Track and Field. I threw away my concerns about enjoying the season and quit hurdling. Focusing purely on the mile, I was finally seeing promising results for the season.
However, my belief that everything would continue well blinded me towards what would come. My positive outlook was shattered for the rest of the season when I injured myself over spring break. I had trained too zealously and over-stressed my knee. Temporarily unable to practice, I pardoned myself from the next meet to rest my knee and to get back into shape. Despite my efforts, I fell completely short of my goal at the following meet. Soon, I found myself wishing that the season would end. My drive to win was gone.
With sophomore year done, I turned my attention off running and onto academics during my junior year. My friends criticized my choice and warned me of other athletes who took the same route and regretted it. Unable to face disappointment in Cross Country, I gave empty promises that I would return for Track and Field. Surely enough I returned, but I did not stay on the team. As the season started, I began to lose interest. The same drive to win and excitement for competition that I had the year before had waned and disappeared. Leaving the team, I was unsure of what niche running would have in my future.
Today is the 13th of November, 2008. I am back in Cross Country, and once again I stand at the same starting line I was at two years prior. I remember to fold my arms, something that has become somewhat of a ritual. I gaze upwards with a sober look, and see the same brown hills and blue sky that greeted me before. The same amateurs that stood by me before are now grizzled veterans who had stuck with their path. Instead of focusing on the race, I recall the experiences I’ve gone through, both those positive and negative. Through my shortcomings in the past two years, I now know that my mindset and mentality are what determine how far I can truly go. Even though I still reminisce with a tinge of regret, on what I could have accomplished in the last year, I am proud that I chose to not come away empty handed. This time, I am not unprepared, I am confident; this my mind believes.
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This was like my... 4th draft for the second UC prompt but decided it was too much like a creative writing assignment so I completely scrapped it. Thought I'd just post this
As corny as the message may be, I find it important to keep in mind all the time
As corny as the message may be, I find it important to keep in mind all the time
