This upcoming Tuesday I run my last races around the track at Regionals (unless I miraculously make it to State). Not sure how I feel about it.

Track has always taken the back seat to volleyball. I always had club practices during track season, which led to sore legs and burn out on both sports by the end of the season. Now that I’m not playing volleyball anymore, I find track more enjoyable. It’s less stressful to focus on only one sport at a time. I’ve been able to actually utilize my weekends off for some much needed rest.

I was never a “runner” until my friends convinced me to join the track team in JH. I ran the 400, 200, and the 4×4 relay. I didn’t necessarily enjoy running, but I must have liked it enough to continue it for the next few years.

I thought my coach was crazy when he wanted me to run the 800 during my freshman year. Anything over a 400 seemed ridiculously long to me. Looking back, I would be surprised to find out that I’d advance to Regionals two years in a row. I was average at best my first few years of running, maybe I still am average at best, but I thought the girls that advanced to Regionals on my team were Gods.

Running is special to me because it poses a direct relationship between the time put in training and your results. You don’t run good times without running good times in practice. Sure, other sports can be the same way, but eh not really, not in the same way.

Track also caters to every type of athlete. We’ve got the sprints and jumping events for those explosive athletes with crazy fast-twitch muscle fibers. Longer distance events for athletes that enjoy running but don’t have those crazy fibers. And throwing for the crazy strong peeps.

Track is also an individual sport. You can’t blame your teammates for anything (except relays I guess) Bad race? Your fault. Great race? All the glory to you.

Perhaps what has made track and field most enjoyable for me is the people. Teammates, and especially coaches. Though I’ve had three head coaches in four years, I enjoyed every season with each of them. A great coaching staff truly makes a difference. I remember my coach was so excited for me when I advanced last year, and it really meant a lot because I knew he genuinely cared. I think the biggest thing I will miss about track is running with my distance coach. He makes practices (even speed workouts) so much fun! My coach makes running fun. Who wouldn’t want someone like that alongside you as you cramp up on your last 400 repeat?

We’ll see if I stick with running. I really enjoy it, but it’s so hard to run alone. I have a goal to run a half marathon in the next year. Maybe a full marathon? Eh, we’ll see.

MACK 🙂