A pleasurable and painful experience

In life, we are all bound to experience some kinds of challenges that are both pleasurable and painful to us. Some of them may happen unexpectedly or not but the importance of having them in life is how we deal and learn from it although we may want to give up. Most times they occur only to make us realize more about ourselves, look at things at a better perspective, and prepare us for any other challenges to come in the future.



I grew up not being much involved in any kind of sports or physical activities. I was more of a student in high school who joined extra curricular activities/clubs and volunteered at hospitals. I didn't know who I was or where I belonged my freshman year so I joined clubs I thought I'd enjoy and so I could meet new people. I felt like I needed to do something "different" for a change besides just joining clubs, something out of the ordinary no one would think I would do. I had a friend in my biology class who already began training way before the track season actually started. I had told her my plan in wanting to join something unlike me and she gave me an idea to join track and field. I told mself, "piece of cake" if all we had to do was run, but what I didn't expect was how difficult and painful it was going to be. What made it a little easier on me was the fact that I joined with one of my closest friends who also wanted to do someting out of her comfort zone. I had someone to suffer with.



I remember the first day, we ran a mile not having to reach a certain time. It was hard because everyone seemed so much faster than I. I tried my best to at least keep up behind everyone else rather than be afar. For the first couple weeks, my legs, my arms, my entire body ached. Weeks past and our work outs began to get a lot more intense. Our required times to meet for the miles were decreasing which meant we had to pace ourselves even faster. I was a long distant runner so speed and endurance were the main elements. The number one rule was never to stop while we ran. I cried a few times because never in my life did I feel so much pain both emotionally and physically. During practice, it was hot, I felt dirty, I was soaked in sweat, out of breath, and it just hurt to keep on running. Many times I seriously felt I couldn't last on my legs any longer. It was challenging because I had others around me I had to try and beat. Every time I wanted to give up, I would ask myself what I had gotten myself in to. The good part was that I had friends and my coach to cheer me on.



I wanted to quit. I couldn’t imagine anything else that could beat me down any more than track did. I went home everyday exhausted. Some times I wouldn’t even eat dinner because I’d fall asleep as soon as I got home and not wake up until the next morning. The first month was the hardest because my body had to adjust to running everyday considering that I was out of shape and never ran more than a day in a week ever in my life. After a month, it was still challenging but I didn’t hurt as much as I did in the beginning. I even lost a couple pounds which made me very happy. The work outs continued to be more intense and we had to prepare for the track meets that were to come. Believe me, I still had days when I wanted to just quit track and be done with it, but not only did I know deep down I’d regret it later, but I didn’t want to disappoint my coach and myself.



I still had days during practice where I wanted to stop and quit, but luckily I had others cheering me on and that kept me going. I honestly don’t think I could have made it if I didn’t have people around encouraging me. What made me really proud of myself was the fact that I didn’t take off and just quit when I was at the verge of doing so many times. Every single time I completed my miles and runs, I felt somewhat accomplished and I never felt any like it before. Sometimes, I would be in disbelief that I actually completed the course run. Although I wasn’t the fastest runner, I was just happy at the fact that I didn’t up and leave when I could’ve. My body became adjusted to running everyday that sometimes while I was running, I had that feeling as if I could run forever. It was odd but a pleasant feeling. That’s when I knew I had improved. For once, I felt like I achieved something I never thought I would.



I continued the season my freshman year and joined again my sophomore year. Unfortunately, sophomore year was the end because I decided to focus mainly on my AP science classes for Junior and Senior year. I completed my goal of joining a sport no one, not even I thought I could do. I joined and continued all the while wanting to give up numerous of times. I went in being an unexperienced runner and left with an accomplishment of being faster and completing the season. Every sweat and every ache was worth it and it was fun while it lasted. In the end of it all I wouldn’t change it for anything. I learned that when things get at its toughest and you want to give up, think about all of the things you’ve done to get that far and ask yourself if it’s worth putting it all to waste. Track had got me through some physical and emotional pain but in the end, for once, I left the season knowing I had accomplished something challenging.