The Finish Line by Alyssa

The Finish Line by Alyssa - December 2013 Scholarship Essay

Sweat rolls down my face, my calves and knees scream in pain, but as I see the finish line, the pain instantly disappears. My legs move faster; my arms swing in unison with my legs, and I feel as if the speed of light is carrying me with it. I cross the finish line feeling as if I had just won an olympic gold medal for my race. Then it hits me- I was the last one to cross the line. Again.

Cross country was never something I intended on undertaking in high school. My older brother had run, but I was never the most athletically inclined. Every sport I had ever played, I usually sat the bench only participating when another player was hurt or in need of a break. Cross country was different. It gave me the chance to compete at each meet whether I was the first girl to finish or the last.

As ironic as it was, the sport taught me confidence. I became accustomed to the fact that I was not as talented as the other girls on the team, but to me that just served as a challenge to become better. This is not to say I never felt the urge to give up, but I learned how to self-motivate myself despite my repeated failures. Each time I finished last in a race, I would trace back each step I took and evaluate what I could have done more effectively: Run faster on the flats. Use the downhill. Start your finish sooner. I reflected on my own advice and acted on it as each run began.

Even though I did not end my senior year as the lead runner on my team, the passion that I had for the sport compensated for it. I was constantly putting in my optimum effort, while encouraging each girl on the team to do the same. As team captain, I felt obligated to provide as much moral support to them as I was providing for myself. I may not have been granted the most valuable player award, but I was rewarded with the Thoroughbred Award which proved to myself how much I had actually done for my team as a leader.

Although the season is over, the sport will remain a pivotal part of my life. I plan on training for half-marathons and constantly improving both my speed and confidence. Running is so much more than a sport; it is a lifestyle. It has influenced me to study nutrition, as health has become an immense part of my life due to the sport. I hope that I am able to share my love of running with others who are just as passionate as I am, and one day I will cross that finish line. Only this time, no one will have crossed it before me.