Being a transgender runner

 I'm Micah, a senior who's been running cross country ever since 7th grade. I'm also transgender. I've known I was trans since I discovered the term my freshman year, but I didn't come out until the beginning of this season. This means that although most people on the team know I don't identify as female, and are adjusting to my 'new' name and pronouns, I still have to run on the girls team. On one hand I completely understand, my physical abilities and genetic makeup aren't on the same level as those who are biologically male, but it's also one of the most difficult things in facing. Going up to the start line of a gender segregated race, feeling so out of place my stomach turns. The sharp pain of hearing a teammates's parents who don't yet know i'm trans using my birth-name or incorrect gender terms when referring to me. My mother saying I should quit the team because the coaches "don't need the distraction of you "wanting to be a boy"". But there have been some upsides, my coach is my absolute biggest supporter, and my teammates were even great enough to use the name Micah instead of my birth-name when decorating senior lockers.

- @aik89 ( Micah Beahan )