Motivation
The personal story of how I became what I have become today involves sharing various accomplishments throughout my journey so far, and I'll explain how I reached those milestones and what motivated me to get there.
VARSITY CROSS COUNTRY SEASON
My story about how I accomplished making and earning my varsity letter during my freshman year
In 2021, as a freshman, I made a life-changing decision. Having run cross country in my 7th and 8th years, I decided to take my passion to the high school level. But it wasn't always smooth sailing. Back when I played baseball as a kid, my coach bluntly told me I could never be a good runner. That hit hard, and I decided to prove him wrong. I set my sights on earning a spot on the varsity team, aiming high.
Summer running kicked off, and I joined the varsity team members for workouts. Initially, I faced criticism, but I didn't let it deter me. I had a goal, and I was determined to achieve it. Over the summer, I saw myself getting faster, sometimes running with the varsity guys and other times with the top JV runners.
August arrived, and the school year began, along with our first race. I was thrilled to discover that I made the varsity team. I ran a 5k in 19:19 and felt immensely proud of my progress. However, as more races unfolded, I struggled to break the sub-20-minute barrier again. I realized I had to overcome my mental barriers and put in the hard work to improve.
In October, when I thought my season was on an upswing, disaster struck. I sustained a knee injury that included ligament, tendon, muscle, and nerve damage, just days before some crucial races. It was devastating, and I questioned if I could continue pursuing my passion. But I refused to give up.
Despite my injury, I continued attending meets, offering my support, and showcasing my unwavering dedication. I didn't let setbacks define me. Instead, I committed to my recovery, learning valuable lessons along the way. My motivation didn't come solely from external sources; it was rooted in discipline and my unwavering determination to achieve my goals.
As the season came to an end, I attended the banquet. I didn't expect to receive a varsity letter due to my injury, but I earned it. I contributed to the team and, more importantly, I didn't give up when faced with adversity. That's my story of earning my varsity letter in cross-country, a journey marked by resilience, dedication, and the refusal to let obstacles define my path.
