SHIZUKA Pride This is a story about running, but not your usual win or lose race. This is about a much more important thing "PRIDE", in fact school pride. It all started last May when the short distance team won the eastern part of the state championship and the newspaper printed that it was the first time in over ten years. Maybe our powerful school which is known for long distance running was changing to short distance. Then the state Ekiden long distance championship was held in November. Our school has never finished worst than 3rd place and was a favorite to continue that but, instead finished in a disappointing and surprise 10th place, which, by the way, is very respectable for most schools, but not ours. The race wasn't even mentioned in the school paper. Then came the unexcepted call to me about running cross-country. I had planned on skipping cross-country this year, so I could study more. And that's what I had been doing, and it had paid off so far. December was testing month, and I was the only one in the entire eighth grade to receive a 100 percent on a state level test. On December 5, we had the school marathon. I ran 3000 meters and finished in 2nd place, but then we picked our new captains for next year, and I wasn't picked which was a surprise to me, but the new captains wanted to prove that they deserved their positions, so the race now symbolized personal pride. It was run at such a pace that after 700 meters there were only three people in the race: the two new captains and me. My coach said it was the fastest school race in recent memory a 1, 2, 3 photo finish driven by their pride to beat me. After that I was asked again to join the cross-country team. I agreed, but only with the condition that I wouldn't have to attend practice because of my extra schooling. So this past week I had to go to the West Japan Ekiden Championship as a alternate and next week I have to run a race. Then in January of next year is the most important race of our city championship. The trophy is nicknamed "Our Cup" because the girls' cup has not left our school in over twenty. I will go all out for this race for school pride and city bragging rights are on the line. And to my surprise I was invited to the WEST JAPAN INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS in FEB, a 60 meters race. This, I will probably pass on, because it's no secret that my first part of the 100 meters is my weakest. My coach has always told me, "Don't worry. You will catch up," and it is true. Most will tell you that if at the 50 meter mark you aren't in front of me with a good two or three steps, the race is over for you. Once I get going I can explode in a hurry, but the 60 meters don't leave a lot time for that. Only four girls from my state qualified and no boys. Note from Shizuka: The captain part shows different thinking and opinons. As for the "cup", everyone knows that one day our school girls' team will lose, but nobody wants to be on that team. I hope you understand this. There is a lot of pressure on our long distance captain, because she doesn't run in the ace position and doesn't want to be the first captain to hand over a losing team. After the Ekiden championship in November, last year's captain cried, because she had to turn over a losing team, but she did the best with what she had to work with. I told her that it was okay to finish in 10th place. Shizuka, with medal Editor's note: I hope you enjoy Shizuka's "chat". It makes great reading. Perhaps you'd like to try your hand at an "email chat". EDITOR'S NOTE Shizuka will be highlighting her favorite track stars with quotes, greatest accomplishments, inspiration, and facts. If you would also like to do one of these pages, please keep it short and send info to KR, PO Box 209, Fiskdale, MA 01518 If are 13 years or older (or under the age of 13 and have a PIN) you may email your story to goodrow@infionline.net Privacy Policy of Kids Running