I want to be a soccer player. My dream is to have my friends and family watch me win the World Cup or the Gold medal in the Olympics. In the pst, I didn’t do much to stay in shape, and altough I’m pretty active, I didn’t work to inprove my endurance and speed. The summer before I made varisty (’05), I only tried jogging a mile ONCE. I couldn’t even make it half a mile before I was keeling over, out of breath.
A couple of days ago I went to Syracuse with my mom. I was going on a college tour (syracuse univiersity – orangemen!) while my mom had to attend the WISE Conference. And since I didn’t have to go to the college until the afternoon (we got there at around 7AM) I got to sit with my mom and listen to a few of the opening speeches. The last one I listened to is the one that I’ll always remember.
He’s the coach of the men’s and women’s soccer teams for the Tar Heels (university of North Carolina). His name? Anson Dorrance. He talk to us about how we shouldn’t only settle for mediocracy, and how we should aim towards the sky. He told us a story:
One early morning, Anson was driving. He pulled over and saw, in the morning fog, one of his players from the women’s team running. She had cones set up and she was sprinting around them and such. She didn’t have any idea he was watching. She continued to run until she bent over, panting heavily, appearing to be struggling to even stand where she was. He stood for a second watchin her bent over, then got into his car and left. She never knew he was there. But that player, Mia was her name, continued to push herself and do great things.
I heard that story, and I realized some things: Even the greatest players had to start somewhere. I may have talent and potential, but in order for me to get better I need to hone that talent. I can’t just sit around and expect to be the best. I have to work for this. And if Mia Hamm can do it, then I can too.
So, yesterday (4/12) I was chilling afterschool, majorly bored. So I decided to grab my “brother” Derek, and make him practice passing the ball with me. I had dinner then I decided to go to the park. I came across my coach and the U12 (12 and under) team, and watched them for a little while. I began across to the other side of the field to passing some shooting and then play basketball. “On second thought…”
I turned around and punted my ball towards the path where I had come from, safely away from the other soccer balls that were from the soccer team. The I walked back across the field, turning towards the nature trail. I paused at the front for only a second before beginning to jog down the trail.
Because I’m so not in shape it isn’t even funny, I expected to fall over by the 1/2 mile mark like before. But, to my amazment, I ran two miles (twice around the trail) before deciding to stop. I felt so surprised and pleased with myself, I was in a good mood for the rest f the night. Me, not even in shape, easily ran two miles when about a year ago, I couldn’t even run 1/2 a mile. Now, I’m determined to run at least one every day except saturday (rest day, but then again I’ll end up running then to) and except days when I have practice. Like tonite, I have soccer practice, so I’m not going to run, but I will tomtorrow.
But for once in a long, long time, I’m happy with myself. And that’s something I wouldn’t mind feeling everyday of my life.
Apr 13 2006