Excerpt from Challenged on Both Sides of the Finish Line
"The first day of my last year of high school was only two days after I
returned from my thirteen-day adventure to the west coast. Since I
was still getting over jet lag, adjusting to a high school schedule
was even more difficult than usual. But still, somehow I could tell
this year would be different. Conversations with several disabled
athletes about persistence and success had really made an impact
on me and my poise and self-confidence were markedly improved.
The decision to run cross country was another indication that I had
set new, higher standards for myself. In order to stay in shape, I
continued training at the track as the summer sports season
pressed into the fall. During this time, the cross country team had
been running their miles on the roads while also incorporating
speed work into their workouts at the track. It looked like they
were actually having fun. Since I had done well in the 800-meter
race, I just assumed that I could run a little farther. After three weeks
of watching them, I surprised the coach when I asked him if I could
run with the team. He knew I could race 100 meters, but wasn't so
sure that I could run a three mile race. "You won't hurt yourself,
right?" he asked. I assured him that I was up for the
challenge and would take each workout seriously.
As I walked towards the rest of the team, fatigue and pain washed
over my body and I collapsed in a heap of arms and legs. My
artificial leg was removed with great care. During and after the run
as my stump became swollen, the muscles, nerves and bones
around my knee became really painful due to the pressure from my
artificial leg. I was carried to a tent and laid on the ground until I
regained my color and composure, my teammates and coach
beside me the entire time. It was one of those bittersweet victories.
I took a couple days off to recover, but returned to practice the
following week. I had proven myself to the team and to the coach.
Before long my entire senior class had heard the news of my third
place medal and offered their congratulations. Not only had I
earned the respect of my coach, I had gained the admiration of my
classmates."
"The first day of my last year of high school was only two days after I
returned from my thirteen-day adventure to the west coast. Since I
was still getting over jet lag, adjusting to a high school schedule
was even more difficult than usual. But still, somehow I could tell
this year would be different. Conversations with several disabled
athletes about persistence and success had really made an impact
on me and my poise and self-confidence were markedly improved.
The decision to run cross country was another indication that I had
set new, higher standards for myself. In order to stay in shape, I
continued training at the track as the summer sports season
pressed into the fall. During this time, the cross country team had
been running their miles on the roads while also incorporating
speed work into their workouts at the track. It looked like they
were actually having fun. Since I had done well in the 800-meter
race, I just assumed that I could run a little farther. After three weeks
of watching them, I surprised the coach when I asked him if I could
run with the team. He knew I could race 100 meters, but wasn't so
sure that I could run a three mile race. "You won't hurt yourself,
right?" he asked. I assured him that I was up for the
challenge and would take each workout seriously.
As I walked towards the rest of the team, fatigue and pain washed
over my body and I collapsed in a heap of arms and legs. My
artificial leg was removed with great care. During and after the run
as my stump became swollen, the muscles, nerves and bones
around my knee became really painful due to the pressure from my
artificial leg. I was carried to a tent and laid on the ground until I
regained my color and composure, my teammates and coach
beside me the entire time. It was one of those bittersweet victories.
I took a couple days off to recover, but returned to practice the
following week. I had proven myself to the team and to the coach.
Before long my entire senior class had heard the news of my third
place medal and offered their congratulations. Not only had I
earned the respect of my coach, I had gained the admiration of my
classmates."
 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| BUY NOW |
www.amazon.com
Authorhouse
888.280.7715
Duke University
Medical Center
Bookstore
919.684.8111
100 CoalPile Drive
Durham, NC 27710
Authorhouse
888.280.7715
Duke University
Medical Center
Bookstore
919.684.8111
100 CoalPile Drive
Durham, NC 27710
