I never thought I was athletic as a little girl. Growing up in England, girls played Netball or Field Hockey. I never made the school Netball team and got hit in the face with a hockey stick! We would have "Field Day" in elementary school (called Primary School in England). I was quite good in the Sack Race (a preview of things to come! Yes, I know what you're thinking.. not that sack race!!), but excelled in the high jump. Thinking I would be a high jumper I went along to our local athletic club where they took one look at me and laughed. Oh just kidding.. they said.. distance runner: maybe had something to do with being 5' 4" and about 95 lbs at age 13.
I found my sport. Running didn't require much coordination, but a desire to push myself and a good set of lungs. My little sister, Monica (more about her another time) won her first race, so the pressure for me to do well in my first race was huge. It was a one-mile cross country race after just one week of training. I pushed myself so hard I thought my lungs would explode. I passed a girl with about 100 yards to go.. she yelled at me "you can't" .. at least that's what I thought she said!! I finished 3rd, and became an "athlete".
To this day I never listen to anyone who tells me I can't do something. I just go out and show them I can!
Do you remember your first race? I would love to hear about it!
Happy miles my friends..
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