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CHAT
Cory - on success part 2
2004 cross-country meet
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Part 2 With every race comes different stages of anxiety, pain, and even heartbreak, but there are always those times when you have complete success, as well as satisfaction. My county championships during my 2004 track and field season as a freshman were no exception to this principle. |
After the Thursday meet had ended I talked with my good friend and coach,
Mr. Harris, about tomorrow's races. If you're nervous or uneasy, always talk
about your race to someone who has gone through that same experience. In
this case, my competitive spirit was boiling and anxiety was up. We talked
of strategy, when to surge, and to not keep too far from the leader. In a
race, I never lead early. By the time we finished we had taken the bus back
to our school and were departing for home. That night was one of drinking water, loading carbs, taking a cold shower, and staying off my feet. It was a typical preparation night for a race. One thing I never forget to do is talk to my role model and best friend, Mike. I had trained with Mike for 2 years and he taught me everything he knew. Like me, my brother was an intense motivational tool that basically told me to just get the job done.
The field in the mile was one of talent. I was ranked the 5th best time even at 4:40, but I was looking to place in the top 3 for a medal. Not only that, I was looking to shock everyone as a freshman and beat Bowman, the 2nd best miler in the county.
Addressing the issue of nervousness, you can aimly admit that you can't get around feeling it. I had to go through a whole day of concentrating on tests and school before I could even think about this important race. Our team got out about an hour early from school and were getting changed, which started the most nervous period before a race. Flooding thoughts of how I will do, came on like a hurricane, but I calmed myself and my mind suddenly jogged with WHAT CAN I DO TO WIN THIS RACE. That is the key to defeating nervousness. I boarded the bus and headed off to Friday's meet with a clear conscience.
Arriving there, it was hot, humid, and the black track seemed to urge you to keep drinking water. I sipped frequently as I moved to my regular spot on the track to await my time to warm up. It wasn't long. The mile was the 3rd event for the day behind some hurdle and 100 meter finals. I scanned my team's column to see my brother close behind me, quietly giving me the nod that the time had come to make my mark. I knew he was there for me as usual.
I began my warm-up. I picked up my spikes and water and headed out to the 100 meter curve at the northern end of the track. I did about a 10 minute shake-out run, followed by some stride-outs. As I waited, I paced back and forth doing high-knees and heel-kicks. Other competitors I knew about joined in next to me, but it didn't faze me a bit. If you ever have another runner from another team try and make you nervous on purpose just ignore them and get on with your own routine.
Mike took a strategic position on the back-stretch of the track to push me on if need be. I was energized to hear that. It was a big mile race with about 14 varsity runners and we all lined up to hear the gun blaze. All that nervousness and anxiety goes right out the door once you hear, Bang! Now you're living what you had been thinking about for the past 24 hours. All you have to do now is run.
Cory with his coach
LINKS:Cory's Column
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