400meter sprinter

400M

            As I was taking as many breaths as I could manage, I also had to make sure my legs would be strong for me. “Push yourself girl”, I repeated to myself as I was finishing the 400 meter race. Track isn’t just a sport for me. Track is my sport and one of my ways to get to college for free. I knew this was the day that I had to prove to not just everyone, but to myself that I was a champion.

            The meet was taken place at Basha High School. The name of the meet was called the “Chandler City Meet”. All the schools in the Chandler district were there. One of the best schools Chandler High School was here. These girls are amazingly fast! My couch, Coach Vaughn had placed me in the Varsity 400m. I’m use to running with varsity because I’m on varsity but running an open 400 for the first time in my life was nerve wrecking. I knew I had to get myself mentally and physically prepared.

            Thoughts started racing through my head. I started thinking negative and began doubting myself. What if I get last place? What if I run into someone else’s lane? What if I false start and look like a fool out there? The more I thought the more nervous I became. I started observing everything around me. I noticed about 6 other females were going to be in my race. I was placed in lane 1. Let me remind you that lane 1 is the worst lane. The reason why is because you see everyone on the outside and you feel like you’re losing.

            “Ready…Set…Go!” the gun man said as we took off from out blocks. I was so nervous that all I could do was run for my life. I took the lead. I was still nervous and shaking. All I could think about was that finish line. No more negative thoughts. No more doubting myself. I needed to get to that finish line first. I got down to the last 100 and slowed down. I was tired, actually exhausted. Someone from the side screamed “They’re coming”, I immediately snapped out of my tired zone. I gave it all I had and finished first. I was now a champion.

            This just goes to show that you can overcome any challenge if you believe in yourself. This has affected my life by making me a more confident person inside and out. I’ve learned to never doubt yourself no matter what. You can do anything that you set your mind to. Winning that 400m has given me so much confidence in track and in life in general. I am a very confident with everything that I do now.