Running For Glory

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Running For Glory

“Without ambition one starts nothing. Without work one finishes nothing. The prize will not be sent to you. You have to win it…” Ralph Waldo Emerson is credited for these motivational words. I have lived by, and allowed these words into my life my freshman year of high school when I decided to run Cross-Country.

It was a cold, brisk Saturday morning. We all packed into the big, rusted, old bus, and set off for the race. As we arrived at Kirby Park, I felt a cold chill shoot all the way up spine. I was nervous. I stood up and could feel how badly my legs were shaking. I had the chills, but I was not cold. There were countless butterflies in my stomach just floating around causing tension deep inside of my body. I felt queasy and felt the need to find a toilet seat to rest over. I somehow managed to walk off the bus. I looked up in the gray, cloudy, gloomy, sky and said,

“Please God, help and guide me through today.”

I knew God was with me. This gave me the courage and strength I needed to approach the starting line a short time later.

We found a shady area under a big oak tree and sat there to stretch. As every other race, we positioned ourselves in a circle to show our team unity. I started to stretch and could feel how sore and tight my muscles were. It actually hurt when I tried to touch my feet.

“Runners gather round,” a distant voice screamed.

This meant it was time to start. Our team said a prayer, and then headed for the starting line. As I approached the starting area, I saw the opposing team. They were tall, big, and muscular. I could see the seriousness on their faces. They came to run, and they came to win. My conscience suddenly started to play games with my mind, and I started asking myself questions. “What if I didn’t train hard enough? “What if I am not ready? What if we lose?”

I finally blocked myself out of that negative world and found myself in the ready position. My knees were bent, and I was ready for the gun to go off.

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