"This is my gift from God. I was born to run"
14 years ago, little 4-year old me ran across my front yard as both of my parents sat on the porch. "She has good form," my dad said. My mom nodded with a smile on her face. As a teen, my mom moved high schools 3 times ending her successful cross country career at McAllen high as one of the best in the region. During her graduating year of '79, scholarships and even just college in general was not pushed as it is today. She didn't even have an intention of pushing her kids to follow in her footsteps...
My parents put me in summer track by the age of 5 just to see if I would like it, and from that first day, I never stopped running. I got into distance running as soon as my age division could, qualifying to the state meet in the 200 m and 800 m. By the age of 7, I had run my first 10k without stopping..just for the thrill of it! 5ks were a breeze, running everyday with my mom running right by my side. I joined cross country in 4th and 5th grade at school, the boys being my main competition during practice. By the time I got to middle school, I knew I loved running. Cross country really was my strong point, and I found myself wishing for longer races on the track. Then I got old enough to realize that I wasn't all talent. High school was a different story. I knew I was the best in my school, but competition got real at meets. The fastest girls were 5'3 and 90 pounds, speeding by the giant horse that I am. I knew I had to work alot harder, and fuel my body a lot better. After my flop at the district cross country meet my junior year, I was embarrassed and fed up. All of my hard work and something just didn't go right. But I got over it. I told myself, you'll never get better if you wallow in self-pity. I began to put in the longer miles, going 10-12 every sunday. So I signed up for my first half marathon and fell in love with it. The longer I ran, the stronger I became.
My senior year, I was introduced to a 2nd passion. I decided to build myself as an actress and give my running a little break out of the spotlight. Having a performance the night before, I PR'd my 5k time running a 20:25. God had His timing for me right on point.
I am now 18, and ready to embark on a journey into the next running chapter of my life. Getting my education, and training separately with the help of coaches I've known since my start at 5 years old.
"Do you ever get tired?" "How do you do it? Have you ever hated running?" Even questions like, "Do you love to do it or does your mom make you do it?" I always spoke from the heart when I said, "This is my gift from God. I was born to run."
- @imgurrera18 ( Isha )
