"We Can Win State, Guys"

I returned to Texas for the week of giving thanks. I get to see my mother finally after 5 months. Fun Times.

In reality, Texas was one of the toughest times I've had. I pushed through it and came out better. One of the episodes that elevated me to a new level of core confidence was my 2 mile run for the soccer team.

It pushed me physically but it was more due to the mental power that allow me to do it. Well here is the story.

"My mind was lost in a whirlwind of things. I had no time to slow down because the moment I did, it would catch up. The fear would set in. I would have to admit that I doubted my ability. I was not about to let that happen.

Four periods later, I laid on the hot paved track, gasping for air. My body was still numb from the run but pain was knocking on the door. My eyes were heavy but my mind kept me awake. I was surrounded by my teammates, looking down at me. I opened my mouth and all I could say was, “We can win state, guys.”

I retraced my steps. I could remember I stumbled across the finish line in 13:30, beating the 14-minute mark. I saw my friend Steven run past me saying, “Come on, Ipalibo.” He had been my rabbit. The whole way round, I stuck to his back.

Constantly trying to read his shirt. All I ever read, “Champions...dare…to try.”
I told myself all I had to do was try and give it everything that was in me. I stood at the starting point as confident players surrounded me. I was nervous as I was walking down to track. I had no reason to be confident.

My heart was pounding as I sat there in my Pre-calculus class, learning new things about circles I never knew. I told myself, “Today is not the same as last year.” My reasoning was true. This is 2006. Last year was 2005 when I saw my defeat.

I kept saying to myself, “Focus. Focus. Focus.” I had to focus. I had received my first stories to cover for the first issue of the newspaper. I needed to get it together and do what I always wanted to do. I took hold of the cookie as I sat next to my friend Liezer in lunch. I was telling him about my plans for the year. He was complaining to me about not being in sixth period soccer. I asked for some of his water, he handed me water along with Gatorade.

I downed water, forgetting to swallow as water was spurted out onto my shirt. The pain had busted through the door. I felt it all in my legs. I knew all my blood had gone straight into my legs. I looked up to see my coach smiling at me.

I wasn’t sure if it was the hug I gave him or how I ran the last two laps in exhaustion that brought a smile to his face. I was too tired to figure it out. My friend Phil along with the school doctor took me into the building. I was still gasping for air. I couldn’t stand fully but I kept trying. I was laid down on the doctor’s bed.

I looked around and took in the scenery. I was on a green, firm single sized mattress. There were other mattresses on either side of me. I saw football players and brigade girls go in and out. One football player had his arm in a sling as he walked proudly through the room. The brigade girls were discussing something I couldn’t pick up on. The doctor came into view. He checked my pulse and affirmed that I was getting better.

I couldn’t help but to think, “I had done it. There is nothing I can’t do now.” This was just another hurdle. The fear was gone. My ability was not in question anymore. My heart was still pounding but it was strong. I laid on the green, firm, single sized mattress and stared at the ceiling. I had founded calm."

Marvel