State Title − 15 December, 1994
I made it to the State Cross Country Meet. This is the 3rd year in a row that I made it. Last year was so bad. I was completely unfocused. I ate a pint of Ice Cream, and met this gal at the Hotel. Heh. I blamed my spikes. These aqua blue Adidas spikes that were really nice, but I needed a scapegoat.
So this year is new, and I am ready. I know that I can't play. So I got to the hotel this year. Red Roof inn.. My coach smoked a cigarette and I knew that it was ironic, I just didn't care. I was so focused.
The race started, and I took off. My legs feel free. I mean really free. I'm working hard, running like a horse. I can almost feel my head and neck pulsing forward like the horse. I picture myself flowing through the course. I feel like I am back home. It's Penn State, I know this course. Last year was a fluke. I am good, I can do this. All thought stopped, I began to turn into a race myself. Just a race, instructions sent from the mind to the body. Pass here, lag here, wait, wait, wait, SURGE@!! Get them! I can feel the hills pulling me down them. FAster, FAster... Amanda was there again, she's really something. I can feel my heart beating faster, sensing her, I used her for inspiration and then forgot her. Faster, Faster!!
I'm in 24th. the top 20 get a medal. I came here for a State Medal. I will not go home without that. I have 400 Meters left. I have to get one. I'm in 23rd, rounding the corner, there's a straight away, I have to get there, I have 3 more to pass. I have to get there. My eyes dim, the gray wafts in around the rest of my vision, and all I can see ahead of me is that guy, the one there in front of me, taking the place that is rightfully mine. My legs begin that piston pump, and I can't feel them anymore, they've hit the sweet spot. I can go for miles in this groove.. I'm in 22nd. then 21st. One more, one more. I'm closing, damn, he's almost as fast as me. He could be faster, but at that time, noone is faster than me, and I would burst a vein proving it to you if I had to. I'm in 20th. I have 20 Meters to go, I go from catch them to Hold them. I fight to get the next guy, but my focus is on them, so I don't get him. But I have my medal. I Have it, 10 M I have it, 9 M I have it, 8M, I have it!!! 7 M, I have it!! 6M I may actually get this thing!! 4M, My legs are on fire, fast, Finish. I got it, And I had mis counted, I was in 23rd to begin with, I got 19th!
The medal still hangs on my wall years later, and it's still an inspiration, but not so much to me as to the kids that I coached.
This is one of my best days.
I'd have to say maybe 12th on the list maybe higher or lower, but about there.
So this year is new, and I am ready. I know that I can't play. So I got to the hotel this year. Red Roof inn.. My coach smoked a cigarette and I knew that it was ironic, I just didn't care. I was so focused.
The race started, and I took off. My legs feel free. I mean really free. I'm working hard, running like a horse. I can almost feel my head and neck pulsing forward like the horse. I picture myself flowing through the course. I feel like I am back home. It's Penn State, I know this course. Last year was a fluke. I am good, I can do this. All thought stopped, I began to turn into a race myself. Just a race, instructions sent from the mind to the body. Pass here, lag here, wait, wait, wait, SURGE@!! Get them! I can feel the hills pulling me down them. FAster, FAster... Amanda was there again, she's really something. I can feel my heart beating faster, sensing her, I used her for inspiration and then forgot her. Faster, Faster!!
I'm in 24th. the top 20 get a medal. I came here for a State Medal. I will not go home without that. I have 400 Meters left. I have to get one. I'm in 23rd, rounding the corner, there's a straight away, I have to get there, I have 3 more to pass. I have to get there. My eyes dim, the gray wafts in around the rest of my vision, and all I can see ahead of me is that guy, the one there in front of me, taking the place that is rightfully mine. My legs begin that piston pump, and I can't feel them anymore, they've hit the sweet spot. I can go for miles in this groove.. I'm in 22nd. then 21st. One more, one more. I'm closing, damn, he's almost as fast as me. He could be faster, but at that time, noone is faster than me, and I would burst a vein proving it to you if I had to. I'm in 20th. I have 20 Meters to go, I go from catch them to Hold them. I fight to get the next guy, but my focus is on them, so I don't get him. But I have my medal. I Have it, 10 M I have it, 9 M I have it, 8M, I have it!!! 7 M, I have it!! 6M I may actually get this thing!! 4M, My legs are on fire, fast, Finish. I got it, And I had mis counted, I was in 23rd to begin with, I got 19th!
The medal still hangs on my wall years later, and it's still an inspiration, but not so much to me as to the kids that I coached.
This is one of my best days.
I'd have to say maybe 12th on the list maybe higher or lower, but about there.
Comments:
kga245 (January 15, 2007. 05:40pm)
Man, I'm exhausted reading this! Well told.