Beads of sweat trickle down my forehead, tracing the outline of my jaw. My forehead sparkles and drips rivulets which soak into my blue and white tank top. Bent over, I nervously wait for the start. Adrenaline rushes throughout my body. I dig my spikes into the track, pump my arms and accelerate as fast as I could. My teammate anxiously waits for the exchange, jumping up and down, waving his arms. My face shows all the anguish and pain I feel. Thoughts of disappointing my teammates flash through my mind. I think to myself of all the hours we spent training for this event and how we cannot let that go to waste. So I remain focused on my task at during the PSAL City Championship, to place third in the four by eight-hundred meter relay. I hand off the baton, I become relieved and all the pressure is off of my shoulders.
It all began my freshman year, during the cross country 2006 PSAL City Championship. One hundred fifty athletes were positioned at the starting line of five kilometer run. As soon as the gun fired, they began their journey into the woods. After seventeen minutes the runners emerged, the sound of the crowd roared for their favorite. That event struck me with amazement and ebullience. I had never seen such a mesmerizing crowd for a running event. I decided that I want to be one of them, racing their way to the finish line, encouraged by the incessant cheers of their fellow teammates. I wanted to feel a sense of belonging.
I was always the typical shy student, intimidated and taunted by my peers without a word in retaliation. I felt isolated. I would be remiss to consider my participation in cross country and track only kept me in shape. My valiant determination to succeed in every race introduced a new sense of courage, confidence, and concentration to me that I had always lacked; which further prepares me for challenges in the near future. I found that I could surpass the intimidation of my peers and be more extroverted. My teammates are my best friends; moreover they are my brothers. I finally felt a sense of belonging.
It all began my freshman year, during the cross country 2006 PSAL City Championship. One hundred fifty athletes were positioned at the starting line of five kilometer run. As soon as the gun fired, they began their journey into the woods. After seventeen minutes the runners emerged, the sound of the crowd roared for their favorite. That event struck me with amazement and ebullience. I had never seen such a mesmerizing crowd for a running event. I decided that I want to be one of them, racing their way to the finish line, encouraged by the incessant cheers of their fellow teammates. I wanted to feel a sense of belonging.
I was always the typical shy student, intimidated and taunted by my peers without a word in retaliation. I felt isolated. I would be remiss to consider my participation in cross country and track only kept me in shape. My valiant determination to succeed in every race introduced a new sense of courage, confidence, and concentration to me that I had always lacked; which further prepares me for challenges in the near future. I found that I could surpass the intimidation of my peers and be more extroverted. My teammates are my best friends; moreover they are my brothers. I finally felt a sense of belonging.
