Not Your Average Track Fan: The Journey

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I had started writing a blog right after I returned from the U.S. Championships in Eugene, Oregon (I feel like I should say Eugene as if I’m hollering some young child’s name off the front porch of my house. Eugeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeene!!) That’s how I felt about my experience there. Eugeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeene!!  After 15 planes, 10 buses and a donkey, I finally got there.  Ok, it wasn’t that bad, but it was a long trip to Oregon.  I was both excited to go, because I was going to the U.S. National Track & Field Championships, and dreading the long trip.  But, I made it.  And after 4 days of exciting LIVE track and field, in the most beautiful weather I think I’ve ever experienced in June in my life, I took 12 planes, 4 buses and a jitney back home.  Yes, there were fewer modes of transportation going back.  Tailwinds. But, once I got home I realized that I was actually experiencing a bit of depression. A real sense of longing and sadness, and I couldn’t figure out why.  Was it stress?  Did I need a vacation?  Was it…hormonal? (Don’t answer that!)  It couldn’t be that I…missed…seeing live track and field?  It’s not like I was going to meets every weekend before Eugene.  I’ve been to several meets this year.  I spent last weekend checking the results from the USA Track & Field Club Championships, where my athlete, Damien Brigham, was running with his club.  I’ve even been watching all of the Diamond League meets on www.universalsports.com each week, and of course The Cool Down, with Ato Boldon. If I don’t check Track & Field News at least once every 2 hours, I start twitching.  But, none of those things were working.  Then I realized, I really did miss the palpable excitement of live action! 

I have a problem.  I think, I’m a track addict.  No, not a crack addict.  That’s for another blog.  I am a track addict.  The truth is, I experience the same symptoms during college basketball season.  You see, I’m also a college basketball addict.  Of course, I mainly watch my UNC Tar Heels men’s and women’s teams.  But, if there is a good game on, and if Duke is losing, I’m watching!  I don’t take phone calls, and I don’t want to be bothered to watch the meets or games with others, unless they actually know the sport.  And I truly mean know the sport.  I tweet constantly during a meet or a basketball game.  I apologize if you follow me on twitter (@shostanback), and I’ve obnoxiously filled up your timeline.  But, I will do it again, so be warned.  If I’m being honest, however, for neither addiction do I have any plans to seek help.  This is actually a healthy addiction, in my opinion.  Track and field is the kind of sport that gives its fan the inspiration to achieve.  The obvious goal for many fans is to run faster, and jump higher and farther.  To gain that physical strength they see their track and field idols achieve.  So, if track and field makes chubsters like me get off the sofa, put throw away the Oreos and work out just a little harder, how can that be bad?  But the less obvious goal is to gain that mental toughness.  The will, determination and drive to make his or her goals, whatever they may be, become a reality.  Sure, there are cheaters.  But, there are cheaters in every walk of life, in every career, in every school.  For the track purist, it is the cheaters that fuel their drive.  It is the haters that become their motivators.  (Just so you know, I hate the term “hater.”  If you are motivated to succeed, you don’t have time to be worried about your detractors.  And once you do succeed, who cares about them anyway?)  

I entitled this blog “Not Your Average Track Fan: The Journey.”  I’m talking specifically about my journey, but the truth is that anyone who has set a goal for themselves might experience similar feelings.  This is why I believe my “addiction” is a good thing.  I am enabled by my friends in track, as well as USATF, who brilliantly certified me as an authorized athlete representative.  Ok, that’s a fancy term for agent.  I actually became authorized in 2009, but it wasn’t until this year that I signed my first athlete, the aforementioned Damien.  I have to shout him out, because he gave me a chance when others did not.  It has been a learning experience, and he has been a patient client.  I appreciate him more than I can say.  So, thank you, Damien…now, go out there and WIN!!  I am enabled by the opportunities I have been presented to help make the sport more accessible in the United States.  I am enabled by the athletes I’ve met who don’t run from a fan, but have warmly embraced me, both virtually and in person.    This is how I know this addiction of mine is real and good.  It wasn’t until I tried to put my addiction into words  that others would understand that I realized that I had finally found my path, and even better, I was already making my way down that path.  This IS the journey!  Have you ever had the experience of being given the opportunity to do something you’ve always wanted to do, and found yourself doing it for say, the fourth or fifth time, only to realize, “hey…I’m really doing this! Again! And someone wants me to keep doing it!”  That is exactly I how I feel right now!  As if the path is actually under my feet right now!

I have never been, and will never be a track athlete. My only running goal is to complete a 10k.  Eventually.  But, I do know that this path, this Journey, with a capital J, this Addiction, with a capital A, is going to give me the opportunity to help track and field become a more recognized professional sport in the U.S.  I’m so excited I can hardly sit still!! I watch women like 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist, Joanna Hayes, with whom I’ve had the extreme honor of spending time twice this summer, talk about winning her Gold Medal in the 100m hurdles, and I smile so hard my jaws hurt.  This is what the Journey is about.  Knowing what you want, making the plan to achieve that goal, and then executing that plan.  Thank you, Joanna!  And to all of the athletes who wonder why they keep doing what they do, on those hot days on the track when you think you have nothing left to give, you do.  Your fans are holding it for you, and we’ll give it back to you just when you need it most. 

Thank you for indulging me!

~Sho

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