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It’s cross country season! Once again, I am coaching a high school girls program. I knew this year would be different and I was excited to see all the things I would learn through this new journey. I wasn’t wrong in my expectation because I feel like I’ve learned so much about life and running in just the first two weeks! I just hope that some day the girls on this team will understand what knowledge they have just been handed and are able to take on whatever challenges them in the future.

On one of the first days of practice the coach said to all of the young women, “I know why you’re here even if you don’t.” I stood there intrigued, waiting to hear what he was going to say next. He then explained that they joined cross country because they wanted to become the best version of themselves. Bam! He went on to explain that running is hard. You are going to go through times when you are tired and want to give up. It is like that in life. Nothing is easy. Running cross country isn’t easy, but it will teach them all how to attack a challenge both on the course and in life. We have to work through challenges in every facet of life- in work, in school, in relationships, etc.

I started to recollect why I started running–and why I run now. It IS because I want to become the best version of myself. I woke up one day my freshman year after finishing my volleyball season knowing that I was meant to run. So I signed up. It wasn’t an easy journey but it was worth it. The beauty of running is that, like life, you go through patches were it seems particularly hard, but every time we learn to push through the fatigue.

A few weeks later I asked that wise coach why he ran. He said it was because his gym teacher told him he was good at it. I started to wonder how other everyday and elite runner got their start in running…

Why did YOU start running/playing your sport of choice?

Directions: Share with me your “start-up” story (what got you to start running, playing basketball, cycling, etc) and what you’ve gained through your athletic journey. Write me a novel, be long winded, and ramble.. I want to hear these stories!

Start your stories: Aug. 27

No more stories after: September 1st at 8pm.

Details: The drawing is random, so no pressure to come up with a spectacular story, although I’m sure it will be!

Prizes:

-one Sport Science smarter basic shirt in their preferred size, color, style

- Sport Science MultiPak

Thank you to all the participants and especially to Kelen and the Sport Science crew who are giving some lucky athlete some killer prizes! Good luck and happy reflecting on your athletic beginnings

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View Original Post at stephanieperleberg.com

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There is 1 comment on this post. Join the discussion!

tewatewa says:

I got into Rugby because Track and Field was giving me compact injuries (stress fractures).

I know, right? Go figure.

But after four seasons, I've spent less time dealing with injuries and it's so much more fun than running. With track, I was out with a stress fracture and essentially dropped from the roster, and after I wound up being tackled funny and dealing with a concussion, I was still expected to be at the games. I gave up a varsity sport for it and I regret nothing :)

Sunday, August 28, 2011 at 10:42pm EDT

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